Turns out that that letter from Google China partners demanding information and cash may have been a fake, says Bloomberg, which was presumably pleased to say so, given that hated competitor WSJ fell for it . Still, fake or no, it's easy to imagine that Google's partners are annoyed with the company's abrupt refusal to do what it agreed to do when it entered the country several years ago censor search results. BLOOMBERG: BEIJING — A letter demanding that Google compensate advertising agents if it withdrew from China probably is not genuine, said a sales official at one of the companies named as a signatory. 
Share:  Turns out that that letter from <span class="company">Google</span> China partners demanding information and cash may have been a fake, says Bloomberg, which was presumably pleased to say so, given that hated competitor WSJ fell for it . Still, fake or no, it's easy to imagine that <span class="company">Google</span>'s partners are annoyed with the company's abrupt refusal to do what it agreed to do when it entered the country several years ago censor search results. BLOOMBERG: BEIJING — A letter demanding that <span class="company">Google</span> compensate advertising agents if it withdrew from China probably is not genuine, said a sales official at one of the companies named as a signatory. Tweet this 

A strange incident a few days ago made it appear that Google had stopped censoring some search results on its China site . (A search for the '89 student movement revealed photos of tanks and protests, which normally aren't available). These search results are now being censored again, but this move led us to speculate that Google was trying to get tossed out of China rather than simply withdrawing in a huff. 
Share:  A strange incident a few days ago made it appear that <span class="company">Google</span> had stopped censoring some search results on its China site . (A search for the '89 student movement revealed photos of tanks and protests, which normally aren't available). These search results are now being censored again, but this move led us to speculate that <span class="company">Google</span> was trying to get tossed out of China rather than simply withdrawing in a huff. Tweet this 

When we read new Googler Tim Bray's screed about the evils of Apple's iPhone and his desire to obliterate it , our first thought was "When is Google going to muzzle him?". Heretofore, Google has been, if not Apple like in its control over public communications, at least tight. And this is by far the most aggressive and direct attack on a competitor by a current Googler we have ever read. 
Share:  When we read new <span class="company">Google</span>r Tim Bray's screed about the evils of Apple's iPhone and his desire to obliterate it , our first thought was "When is <span class="company">Google</span> going to muzzle him?". Heretofore, <span class="company">Google</span> has been, if not Apple like in its control over public communications, at least tight. And this is by far the most aggressive and direct attack on a competitor by a current <span class="company">Google</span>r we have ever read. Tweet this 

When we read new Googler Tim Bray's screed about the evils of Apple's iPhone and his desire to obliterate it , our first thought was "When is Google going to muzzle him?". Heretofore, Google has been, if not Apple like in its control over public communications, at least tight. And this is by far the most aggressive and direct attack on a competitor by a current Googler we have ever read. 
Share:  When we read new Googler Tim Bray's screed about the evils of <span class="company">Apple</span>'s iPhone and his desire to obliterate it , our first thought was "When is Google going to muzzle him?". Heretofore, Google has been, if not <span class="company">Apple</span> like in its control over public communications, at least tight. And this is by far the most aggressive and direct attack on a competitor by a current Googler we have ever read. Tweet this 

Nick Wingfield, WSJ: iPhone users are in plain sight at Microsoft. At the sprawling campus here in a Seattle suburb, workers peck away on their iPhone touch screens in conference rooms, cafeterias and lobbies. Among the top Microsoft executives who use the iPhone is J Allard, who helped create the Xbox game console and is chief experience officer for the entertainment and devices division. 
Share:  Nick Wingfield, WSJ: iPhone users are in plain sight at <span class="company">Microsoft</span>. At the sprawling campus here in a Seattle suburb, workers peck away on their iPhone touch screens in conference rooms, cafeterias and lobbies. Among the top <span class="company">Microsoft</span> executives who use the iPhone is J Allard, who helped create the Xbox game console and is chief experience officer for the entertainment and devices division. Tweet this 

He also writes that, with the Microsoft Yahoo partnership this year, "Bing should become a viable competitor to Google.". But Henry Blodget at Silicon Alley Insider has another take, writing that "We think Bing is buying these share gains, which means that they won't be building a profitable search business anytime soon.". 
Share:  He also writes that, with the Microsoft Yahoo partnership this year, "<span class="company">Bing</span> should become a viable competitor to Google.".<span class="sent"> But <span class="analyst">Henry Blodget</span> at Silicon Alley Insider has another take, writing that "We think <span class="company">Bing</span> is buying these share gains, which means that they won't be building a profitable search business anytime soon.".</span> Tweet this 

Image: Facebook. On Friday, we reported the results of a long investigation into the origins of Facebook that revealed startling new information about the company's early days . Among other things, the investigation revealed that Facebook's founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, took private Facebook member login information and used it to break into the private email accounts of those members . 
Share:  Image: <span class="company">Facebook</span>. On Friday, we reported the results of a long investigation into the origins of <span class="company">Facebook</span> that revealed startling new information about the company's early days . Among other things, the investigation revealed that <span class="company">Facebook</span>'s founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, took private <span class="company">Facebook</span> member login information and used it to break into the private email accounts of those members . Tweet this 

Microsoft, Google and Apple are increasingly going after mulitple digital markets – search, mobile and browser platforms. Which internet giant will stand out amongst the rest? Does Facebook have what it takes to compete against the likes of Apple and Google? 
Share:  Microsoft, <span class="company">Google</span> and Apple are increasingly going after mulitple digital markets – search, mobile and browser platforms. Which internet giant will stand out amongst the rest? Does Facebook have what it takes to compete against the likes of Apple and <span class="company">Google</span>? Tweet this 

Facebook got a patent on its "newsfeed" service, which triggered a panic about what this would mean for Google, Twitter, MySpace, and other social networks. Here's what it means: At worst, these companies will have to pay Facebook some money. Nick O'Neill at All Facebook has the most info on the patent that we've seen . 
Share:  Facebook got a patent on its "newsfeed" service, which triggered a panic about what this would mean for Google, <span class="company">Twitter</span>, MySpace, and other social networks. Here's what it means: At worst, these companies will have to pay Facebook some money. Nick O'Neill at All Facebook has the most info on the patent that we've seen . Tweet this 

Facebook got a patent on its "newsfeed" service, which triggered a panic about what this would mean for Google, Twitter, MySpace, and other social networks. Here's what it means: At worst, these companies will have to pay Facebook some money. Nick O'Neill at All Facebook has the most info on the patent that we've seen . 
Share:  <span class="company">Facebook</span> got a patent on its "newsfeed" service, which triggered a panic about what this would mean for Google, Twitter, MySpace, and other social networks. Here's what it means: At worst, these companies will have to pay <span class="company">Facebook</span> some money. Nick O'Neill at All <span class="company">Facebook</span> has the most info on the patent that we've seen . Tweet this