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Google, Intel, other tech companies, launch initiative to improve energy efficiency

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Climate Savers Computing IntiativeInternet search leader Google Inc and top semiconductor maker Intel Corp frontlines a group of some of the largest technology companies in the industry in what is called to be the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, with goals to improve energy efficiency and ultimately, promote global warming awareness.

This initiative is participated by technology giants such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, eBay, Hitachi, NEC, among others, as well as environmental groups, government agencies, and educational institutions, with hopes to encourage all Fortune 500 companies to eventually join as well.

The plan is to improve the efficiency of power sources for computers, servers, and other equipment they create and use, and to educate users about power management and encourage them to buy products labeled as energy efficient. Climate Savers will initially follow the Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star guidelines for this year, requiring a minimum of 80% efficiency in PC power supplies, but aims to achieve 90% efficiency by 2010.

Google co-founder Larry Page said, in a brief appearance at the news conference to lend his support, “The amount of power that computers are using is increasing, and the amount of importance they have in our lives in also increasing. By getting everybody focused on that we can probably make great strides going into the future.. I think this can really help the world.”

Climate Savers Computing Initiative is part of the World Wildlife Fund’s Climate Savers program, whose objective is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Originally posted on June 12, 2007 @ 8:12 pm

Yahoo launches celebrity web portal OMG!

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Yahoo is launching a celebrity-oriented web channel known as OMG! (shorthand for “Oh My God!”), in collaboration with TV gossip show Acces Hollywood, that aims to be the definitive source of celebrity news online.

“When you look at the massive demand on the Yahoo Network for this type of content, celebrities continue to rank at the top — in fact, Britney has been the top search item five years running,” said Karin Gilford, general manager of Yahoo Entertainment. “We thought that ‘Access Hollywood’ provided a fantastic brand match.”

The first Hollywood focused portal to come out on Yahoo after some time, OMG! is being eyed to compete with celebrity sites such as AOL’s TMZ.com and People.com, among others. This latest Yahoo channel features news, gossips, videos, photos and 24/7 updates from the biggest names in Hollywood.

Scheduled to go live officially on June 11, Yahoo’s OMG! is now on beta testing and can already be viewed here. Unilever and Pepsi-Lipton Tea signed up as the initial celebrity portal’s exclusive sponsors.

Originally posted on June 11, 2007 @ 9:31 am

Wibree merges with Bluetooth

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Wibree merges with BluetoothPotential rivals Wibree of Nokia and Bluetooth come together to bring wireless connections to devices that are too small for Bluetooth chips.

While Bluetooth technology allows devices to be wirelessly connected, it is also known to consume too much battery power, limiting its use to bigger devices such as cellphones, laptops, and wireless headsets. Wibree, on the other hand, which was developed by Nokia, works on a lower data rate and power than Bluetooth. Hence, the Wibree technology allows for smaller batteries with longer battery life.

With the Bluetooth technology and Wibree together, Bluetooth Special Interest Group hopes to look into the possibility of creating products such as small wearable gadgets that can sense and communicate with Bluetooth-clad cellphones, toys, or computers such that, for example, a watch could receive text messages, or a toy could sense the presence of another toy.

“Our members have been asking for an ultra low power Bluetooth solution. With Nokia’s innovative development and contribution to the Bluetooth specification with Wibree, we will be able to deliver this in approximately a year,” said Michael Foley, director of the Bluetooth SIG.

Nokia started developing Wibree in 2001, and launched the technology in October last year.

Originally posted on June 13, 2007 @ 6:42 am

Sony joins blogosphere, launches official Playstation blog

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Sony Playstation BlogSony Computer Entertainment America launches the new blog on the block, the Playstation.Blog — Sony’s official developer blog that features the latest newsbits, opinions, game annoucements aned updates, and other related posts about Playstation products and services as blogged by Sony executives and PR reps.

“PlayStation.Blog is a bit of work in progress, we see it as a place where we can share with you our company’s collective insights, opinions and perspectives on all things related to SCEA, PlayStation and the industry we play in,” says Patrick Seybold, SCEA’s PR manager in the blog’s first official post.

Just like similar gaming blogs such as Gamerscore and Major Nelson, Playstation.Blog is Sony’s way of joining the viral marketing bandwagon and connecting with Playstation gamers, giving them the opportunity to speak out their thoughts and opinions through commenting so as to create a healthy give-and-take relationship between the producers and consumers.

Through the comments section, SCEA hopes to get a feel of what the gamers want and expect so that they can provide answers to relevant concerns and improve their services as well. Seybold adds, “a blog like this is really about you and the things you want to hear, share and discuss with us. With that in mind, you’ll notice that comments are enabled – and encouraged – so tell us what you want to see here and we’ll do our best to make it happen.”

Originally posted on June 12, 2007 @ 7:05 pm

Google ranks lowest for privacy protection practices

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Privacy InternationalIt’s all over the news, the blogosphere, the web. Google, the search engine giant as we know it, was ranked the lowest as to protecting the privacy of its users is concerned. This finding by Privacy International is based on six month research, placing Google at the bottom of 23 internet companies, including Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL. Google is the only company among those included in the study to receive a failing grade for “conducting comprehensive consumer surveillance and having entrenched hostility to privacy.”

“We are aware that the decision to place Google at the bottom of the ranking is likely to be controversial, but throughout our research, we have found numerous deficiencies and hostilities in Google’s approach to privacy that go well beyond those of other organizations,” Privacy International said.

Google, on the other hand, has publicly refuted the report as inaccurate. “We are disappointed with Privacy International’s report, whichi is based on numerous inaccuracies and misunderstandings about our services”, Google’s deputy general counsel, Nicole Wong, said.

Privacy International is a London-based privacy NGO that provides technology asessement, develops reviews of policy, and acts as a watchdog on surveillance by governments and corporations. The full report, A Race to the Bottom – Privacy Ranking of Internet Service Companies, can be found here.

Originally posted on June 11, 2007 @ 7:26 am