Google eyes more big money takeovers

Google has become more comfortable doing big acquisitions but still sees small technology deals as its primary thrust for buying businesses, its chief executive said on Thursday. Eric Schmidt told reporters at a briefing at Google headquarters that the Web search leader remained open to buying larger companies, as it has done twice in recent months, but that these were meant to plug holes in businesses. 'We are more comfortable now than we were a few years ago to buy real businesses,' Schmidt said in response to a reporter's question ahead of the company's annual shareholder meeting. ...more

Intel develops mobile phone chip

The company associated primarily with PC chips is to announce a new chip that contains the circuitry of a PC and a mobile phone. In an attempt to diversify, the new Intel processors feature logic circuits, flash memory and analogue communication circuits on a single piece of silicon, produced by a single manufacturing process. Normally, these types of circuits are produced separately, but now the process has been unified. ...more

US movie industry seeks cinema ban on recording equipment

The US movie industry is pushing for legislation that would make it illegal to take recording equipment into a cinema. A bill is currently being considered that would set a maximum $1,000 fine and a year in prison. Currently anyone caught videotaping a movie can be fined no more than $250. ...more

Microsoft explains its decision to back HD DVD

Microsoft has explained its decision to back the HD DVD format for high-definition optical discs rather than the rival Blu-ray specification. Jordi Ribas, Microsoft's director of technology strategy for Windows Digital Media told Tom's Hardware Guide that the company's previous neutrality had been abandoned because Blu-ray failed to meet six key criteria. 'A year and a half ago, both format organisations had very similar goals, and to some extent, the story of Blu-ray was actually very powerful,' he said. ...more

Siemens surfs the Skype phenomenon

Siemens has thrown its lot in with the Skype phenomenon, launching a USB adaptor that connects to a range of its handsets and relays voice calls wirelessly, as well as information on online contacts and more. The Gigaset M34 USB is compatible with Siemens' Gigaset range of DECT wireless handsets, and is supplied with Skype software that allows you to make free voice calls to other Skype users and cut-price calls to fixed and mobile landlines. As well as relaying voice calls between the USB dongle and the handset, the Gigaset M34 allows SMS and Instant Message messages - including on MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messnger services - and will also deliver live alerts for news, stocks and weather to the handset. ...more