Top Items:
Om Malik / GigaOM:
Google launches 800GOOG411 — Updated: Ever since Microsoft bought Tellme Networks, the big question is what would Google do in response? It became a little clearer today when Google announced a free 411 service, which is a fraction of what TellMe-Microsoft has to offer. More details here.
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Danny Sullivan / Search Engine Land:
Google Voice Local Search Launched — You've heard the rumors. Now you can try the experimental service from Google Labs. Google Voice Local Search is now live and publicly claimed by Google. Greg Sterling will be along to say more either here or in a fresh post.
Garett Rogers / Googling Google:
Google Voice Local Search just launched — Just minutes ago, Google updated their Google Labs page with what they call "Google Voice Local Search". It appears to be similar, if not related, to the long dead "voice search" project that doesn't work anymore.
Bilal Hameed / Startup Meme:
Google Dials 411 for Free, Takes On Jingle Networks
Google Dials 411 for Free, Takes On Jingle Networks
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CenterNetworks
Anne Broache / CNET News.com:
Judge puts halt on new Vonage customers — update ALEXANDRIA, Va.—A federal judge on Friday ordered Vonage not to accept any new customers while it continues to infringe on Verizon Communications patents covering some aspects of Internet phone calls. — In at least a temporary setback …
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Reuters:
Vonage lawyer: Ruling a 'bullet to the head' — Judge says Internet phone company can use patented technology for existing customers. — ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) — Vonage Holdings Corp. cannot service new customers while it appeals a finding that it infringed Verizon Communications Inc. patents …
Bambi Francisco / MarketWatch:
Why I started Vator.tv, and why I'm leaving MarketWatch — SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — The story about Vator.tv and my involvement has missed one component: my side. With that in mind, I feel it is only fair to me, to MarketWatch and to Vator.tv that I share my story.
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HipMojo.com, Valleywag, Mashable!, paidContent.org, alarm:clock, NewTeeVee and Romenesko
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Dsifry / Sifry's Alerts:
Embracing Change — It's been a busy week at Technorati - new widgets, a report on the state of our company and, of course our all new State of the Live Web, which incorporates our original State of the Blogosphere. Even after all that, there's still one more piece of news I'd like to share with you this week.
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Michael Arrington / TechCrunch:
Technorati CEO Search Confirmed — Technorati has retained New York-based James & Company to conduct a CEO search for the company. For the last few weeks, the firm has been reaching out to potential candidates in Silicon Valley and elsewhere to gauge their interest in leading the nearly four year old company.
Walter S. Mossberg / WSJ Personal Technology:
Using Even New PCs Is Ruined by a Tangle Of Trial Programs, Ads — When you buy a gleaming, new personal computer, the first thing you want to do is to try out its cool new features and make it your own. You want to savor how quickly it starts up and runs, and arrange the desktop icons to suit your tastes and habits.
Discussion:
Life On the Wicked Stage, GottaBeMobile.com, Open Sources and The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs
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Steve Rubel / Micro Persuasion:
Three Reasons Why Twitter Will Be Sold Soon — Who will buy Twitter? That should be on every user's mind because it's going to happen fast. Let's look at the facts first. — Fact #1: According to Technology Review, Twitter had 100,000 users at the end of March.
Kate Kaye / ClickZ News Blog:
Bottom Slurping for Google Juice — Is a service affiliated with Google ad man Tim Armstrong helping to fuel Web bottom feeding? OK, maybe I'm blowing it a bit out of proportion, but here's the deal: — Associated Content, co-founded by Armstrong, is essentially a marketplace connecting aspiring writers …
Nopporn Wong-Anan / Reuters:
YouTube offers to help Thais block offending pages — BANGKOK (Reuters) - Video-sharing Web site YouTube will help Thailand block access to pages that contain clips offensive to its revered monarch instead of blacking out the whole site, a cabinet minister said on Friday.
Discussion:
NewTeeVee, Download Squad, Threat Level, Good Morning Silicon Valley, Valleywag, Mashable! and IP Democracy
Regina Lynn / Wired News:
The 10 Real Reasons Why Geeks Make Better Lovers — Editor's note: Some links in this story lead to adult material and are not suitable for viewing at work. All links of this nature will be noted with "NSFW" after them. — I've read recently that geeks make better lovers …
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Seth Sutel / Associated Press:
Agence France-Presse, Google settle suit — NEW YORK - Agence France-Presse, a global news agency based in Paris, has settled its lawsuit against Google Inc. and will allow the Internet search leader to post news and photos from AFP journalists. — The deal, announced Friday …
Read/WriteWeb:
The Sidebar Syndrome — Written by Bilal Hameed from the Startup Meme blog — This week we've seen evidence of a new trend in the Web, which I've termed "The Sidebar Syndrome". Before I analyze the effects of this trend, let's first take a look at the services that may ultimately become flag bearers of the Sidebar era.
Jonathan Richards / Times of London:
Microsoft set to unlock EMI songs — The software giant is on the verge of a deal similar to Apple's with EMI to sell tracks without anti-piracy protection — Microsoft has hinted that it may be close to reaching a deal with EMI to sell songs without anti-piracy protection via its Zune platform.
Discussion:
606Tech, Epicenter, Life On the Wicked Stage, The Unofficial Apple Weblog, Smalltalk Tidbits … and Slashdot