acquisition

Google gets Siri-ous about virtual assistant

Not one to ignore the success of others, Google has acquired app-maker Clever Sense, sparking rumours it may be planning to build its own Siri-like software. Makers of local recommendation app Alfred, Clever Sense utilises artificial intelligence to generate recommendations for users based on their dining choices. The app searches for other customers and reviewers with similar tastes and uses their preferences to generate suggestions for users. “Today, we are excited to join Google and start a new chapter in curating the world around us,” Clever Sense co-founder Babak Pahlavan wrote on the company website . “Together with the Google team, we will accelerate our efforts toward this shared vision. “Google helps local businesses connect with potential customers, and its worldwide presence can bring the value of Clever Sense to a much larger audience.” While Alfred does not have a voice recognition function, similarly to Siri, it makes use of internet search to provide recommendations to user queries, and learns user preferences and tastes over time. “Discovering local information is extremely important to both users and businesses, and the acquisition of Clever Sense will benefit both,” Google said in a statement . “The Clever Sense team is at the forefront of developing a recommendation engine that connects the online and offline worlds by delivering personal and sophisticated information to users at the right time, the right place, and within the right context. “By combining their technology and expertise with our team and products, we’ll be able to provide even more people with intelligent, personalized recommendations for places to eat, visit, and discover.” Rumours that Android is developing its own voice recognition software have been circulating for some time, and the acquisition of Clever Sense’s Alfred may be the missing piece of the puzzle for the smartphone platform in its efforts to go head-to-head with the iPhone

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Google gets Siri-ous about virtual assistant

acquisition

Apple names new chairman

In the first significant boardroom shuffle since Steve Jobs’ death, Apple has named Art Levinson as chairman and added Bob Iger to its board of directors. Levinson – who replaces Jobs as chairman – had been co-lead on Apple’s board alongside Bill Campbell prior to his new role. In the weeks leading up to the announcement, there was some speculation that Campbell would be named chairman, however Levinson’s appointment as chairman puts that to rest. Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement : “Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000. He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredible valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders.” Also joining the board of directors is Disney CEO Bob Iger – bringing the two companies even closer together. Prior to his death, Jobs served on the board of directors for Disney following their acquisition of Pixar in 2006. Their close relationship also helped bring ABC television shows to Apple’s music service iTunes – the first company to sign a video deal

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Apple names new chairman

acquisition

HTC acquires child-friendly browser Zoodles

HTC have announced the acquisition of Inquisitive Minds – the US company behind child-friendly browser, Zoodles. Acquired for a reported $13 million (

acquisition

HTC scrambles to release privacy fix for smartphones

Following the discovery of a privacy flaw in its smartphones, HTC will imminently release a fix to combat potential threats from malicious third-party software. The Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer identified problems with several smartphone models relating to user’s GPS location, email accounts, SMS data and call logs. Such data could be accessed by net-enabled apps, posing a significant security risk to the personal information of certain HTC users. “HTC is working very diligently to quickly release a security update that will resolve the issue on affected devices,” a spokesperson told the BBC . Once a fix is created, those vulnerable to malicious attacks can download the fix over WiFi or 3G connections. Models potentially at risk include the EVO 3D, EVO 4G, Thunderbolt and the Sensation range, though exact details have not been confirmed by HTC. The flaw was made public by blogger Artem Russakovskii , who identified the threat

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HTC scrambles to release privacy fix for smartphones

acquisition

Adobe plans a makeover with newly purchased web tools

Web design guru Adobe has acquired Nitobi, makers of PhoneGap, and TypeKit, officials announced at the Adobe Max developer and designer conference. The new acquisitions will help Adobe move beyond its Flash Player technology and transition more seamlessly to new web standards including HTML, CSS and JavaScript. PhoneGap – an open source programming tool – allows users to create web apps designed for use on mobile phones. General Manager for Adobe Danny Winokur said: “PhoneGap is a fantastic solution for developing a broad range of mobile apps using the latest web standards, and is already integrated with Dreamweaver CS5.5. “It’s a perfect complement to Adobe’s broad family of developer solutions, including Adobe Air, and will allow us to continue to provide content publishers and developers with the best, cutting-edge solutions for creating innovative applications across platforms and devices. TypeKit, on the other hand, specialises in web-based typography, offering subscriptions to users that allows them to use TypeKit fonts on the web.

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Adobe plans a makeover with newly purchased web tools

acquisition

Websense aids Facebook in tackling phishing scams

Facebook has joined forces with online security firm Websense, and plans to make the social networking site a safer place for its users. The partnership hopes to implement greater measures to protect users from phishing and malware scammers, who could attempt to extract potentially valuable information such as passwords or bank details from users. Due to the high number of people using the site, Facebook is a prime target for this type of criminal activity, as Websense’s Spencer Parker told the BBC : “As a piece of real estate, it’s extremely profitable to be targeted by malware writers.” Many of Facebook’s 700 million+ users have fallen afoul of such tricksters, clicking unwittingly on a harmful link that appears to be posted by one of their friends. Parker said this type of phishing scam is more prevalent on Facebook due to the sense of trust involved. “One of the things with Facebook, of course, is that you have that element of trust in a social network. If one of your friends posts something, you automatically trust it more than if it just received as a spam email.” At the moment, Facebook informs a user if they are about to visit an external site, but as of next week, new technology provided by Websense will enable the warning to differentiate between a malicious website and a safe one. If a threat is detected, users will be given the option to return to the previous page. These efforts may also be a goodwill gesture towards users unhappy with recent changes to Facebook , attempting to bring them back on side. Digg | delicious | Reddit | Google | Twitter | Sphinn | StumbleUpon | YahooBuzz | Facebook | Mixx | Contact bigmouthmedia

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Websense aids Facebook in tackling phishing scams

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Google discusses why it’s its own worst enemy at Zeitgeist conference

To celebrate its 13th birthday, Google hosted its annual Zeitgeist conference to talk about the future and reflect on the future of the search giant. During the conference in Paradise Valley, Arizona, CEO and search mastermind Larry Page was asked what he feels is the biggest obstacle to the success of the company. His response? Google . “One of the interesting things that we’ve noticed is that companies correlate on decision-making and speed of decision-making,” Page said. “There are basically no companies that have good slow decisions. There are only companies that have good fast decisions. “So I think that’s also a natural thing as companies get bigger, they tend to slow down decision-making

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Google discusses why it’s its own worst enemy at Zeitgeist conference

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Google beefs up local offering with Zagat purchase

Google’s made yet another addition to the ever-expanding Mountain View empire, this time in the form of Zagat, a heralded restaurant review service established over 20 years before Google became a household name. Marissa Mayer, vice president of local, maps and location services for the search seraph, announced the acquisition on the Official Google Blog today. “I’m thrilled that Google has acquired Zagat,” Mayer said. “Moving forward, Zagat will be a cornerstone of our local offering – delighting people with their impressive array of reviews, ratings and insights, while enabling people everywhere to find extraordinary (and ordinary) experiences around the corner and around the world.” Meanwhile, Zagat posted its enthusiasm directly to its front page. The “dynamic duo” hopes to “optimise the potential of the Zagat brand while offering new ways for consumers to express their opinions and make informed decisions.” Zagat began its history of collecting and publishing consumer reviews in 1979, which the company said has empowered consumers. In the digital age, the company started dedicated websites for US cities such as New York, LA and Chicago, but also international cities such as London and Paris. Google’s long been on the lookout for consumer reviews to add to its repertoire, as evidenced by its stunted takeover bid for Yelp at the tail-end of 2009. Such an acquisition in 2011 could potentially bulk up the firm’s new social service, Google+, for check-ins, recommendations and more – ramping up competition with arch-rival Facebook

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Google beefs up local offering with Zagat purchase

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Yahoo! Search Engine Technology, Responds to Microsoft, Icahn Proposal

Yahoo! search engine, has rejected a joint proposal from Microsoft Corporation and Carl Icahn, that would include the acquisition of Yahoo!’s search business by Microsoft, in a complex restructuring of Yahoo!

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Yahoo! Search Engine Technology, Responds to Microsoft, Icahn Proposal

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Rambler Vertical Hybrid Solution Debuts

Rambler Media Ltd. (‘Rambler’), has introduced a new ‘Auto’ search vertical category in its hybrid search engine.

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Rambler Vertical Hybrid Solution Debuts

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