Yahoo Gives In to Microsoft, Gives Up on Search

Ever since Microsoft made its $45 billion bid for Yahoo in early 2008, it was clear the software giant was serious about taking on arch-rival Google in the lucrative Internet search business. And now, after more than a year of more limited talks after Yahoo denied that bid, it seems Microsoft has achieved its goal. If reports of an impending deal between the companies prove true, Microsoft will emerge as the clear No. 2 player in search.

Businessweek Article

Pirate Bay Sale Dead in the Water

In a few days time Global Gaming Factory is supposed to have gathered millions of dollars in funding so they can acquire The Pirate Bay. But according to Wayne Rosso, the former CEO of Grokster who was involved with GGF recently, this is unlikely to happen. Meanwhile, The Pirate Bay is giving GGF a week before they cancel the deal.

Torrentfreak Article

Apple disconnects Google Voice apps

Google Voice, which recently launched in the United States, pulls together multiple phone numbers - such as work and personal mobile, and desk and home phones - in to a single, universal number that can be managed through the web. The service provides transcripts of voicemails, and an archive of all text messages sent and received, and users also benefit from low-cost international phone calls. Apple has rejected Google's official Google Voice app, as well as several applications, developed by third parties, that replicate the functionality of Google Voice on Apple's devices.

Telegraph Article

Report finds that fake anti-virus is on the rise

Malware posing as anti-virus software is spreading fast with tens of millions of computers infected each month, according to a report to be released on Wednesday from PandaLabs. PandaLabs found 1,000 samples of fake antivirus software in the first quarter of 2008. In a year that number had grown to 111,000 and for the second quarter of 2009 it reached 374,000, Luis Corrons, technical director of PandaLabs said in a recent interview. "We've created a specific team to deal with this," he said, of the rogue anti-virus software that issues false warnings of infections in order to get people to pay for software they don't need. The programs also typically download a Trojan or other malware.

CNet Article

Driver texting raises risk twenty-fold

Drivers who send text messages while on the road raise their risk of an accident by a factor of twenty, say researchers. According to a report from the Virginia Tech University Transportation Institute (VTTI) the act of sending a text message while driving is a far greater danger than any other act associated with the use of mobile phones. The study found that, on average, sending a text message causes the driver to travel roughly the distance of a football pitch without looking at the road.

V3.co.uk Article

Twitter post gets renter sued by landlord

She only had 15 Twitter followers. And, according to CBS2 Chicago, Amanda Bonnen, a local resident, wanted those followers to know about her mold. Well, not her mold exactly, but the mold she claimed had taken up residence in her residence. So she reportedly tweeted: "Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon realty thinks it's okay." Horizon Realty appears not to think it's OK, as the company has sued Bonnen for publishing false and defamatory information in her tweet. (Her Twitter account is now inactive.)

CNet Article