GOOGLE CHROME

Computer software giant Microsoft has joined the ranks of companies opposing Google's proposed acquisition of ITA Software, which powers most of the online airfare search sites.

It may look like just any other laptop, but on the inside the Google's first Chrome OS Laptop - the Cr-48 is a distinct breed.

Google released its Chrome OS-based beta notebook Cr-48 for a select group of testers after announcing the light-weight, web-centric browser last summer.

Google's launch of e-book store has put the search giant in direct rivalry with market leader Amazon, unfolding an interesting battle on cards in the coming days.

Google officially unveiled its new Chrome OS on Tuesday, and said the new operating system would be available on laptops from Samsung and Acer.

Congress is looking at whether a do not track law, while internet advertisers and web software companies craft a response.

Web pioneer Google, which effectively weaned people off newspapers and everything that was 'old guard', has surprisingly come back to the print medium. The tech giant has been publishing newspaper advertisements on Google Chrome as well as its newly launched Web guidebook.

If you still didn't know what a cookie is and are shy to ask for fear of being seen as a neo-Luddite, you now have Google's help! Or, if you wanted to know how you could protect yourself on the Web or what happens if a truck runs over your laptop, get the answer's from the horse's mouth. Google has now launched an online guidebook called '20 things I learned about Browsers and the Web.'

Google's interactive online book simplifies concepts like TCP/IP, HTML language, browser techniques and the threat of malware while on the Net. Titled '20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web', the short HTPL5-compliant explains how the web works in a step-by-step manner.

The forthcoming Android 2.3 operating system will support near-field communication chips for mobile payments, leading to the launch of hundreds of mobile payment startups, according to Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Google Inc is pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into new businesses, but Wall Street is nervous about the ultimate payoff.

Google expects to release its Chrome computer operating system in the late fall, a top executive said on Wednesday, as it aims a competitive strike at rival Microsoft's Windows.

Google showed off a new online store on Wednesday for consumers to purchase games, magazines and other applications through its Chrome browser, in a move to give the search giant a central role in the next generation of Web media and entertainment.

Google Inc said its fleet of cars responsible for photographing streets around the world have for several years accidentally collected personal information -- which a security expert said could include email messages and passwords -- sent by consumers over wireless networks.

Google Inc stepped up its assault on Microsoft Corp's productivity software business with the acquisition of a small start-up company that allows Microsoft users to edit and share their documents on the Web.

Makers of six small Web browsers are urging the European Union to push Microsoft Corp to provide them more visibility in its browser choice website.

Google is dropping development of its Gears web programing standard in favor of HTML 5, a new web protocol bringing rich features to without the need of special plugins.

Google has taken the unusual step of using real-world advertising to promote its Chrome web browser in Europe ahead of a regulatory change that will make it easier for consumers to switch Web browsers.

(Corrects 7th paragraph to show Google did not initiate the EU case against Microsoft but entered as an interested third party)

Google Inc's potential departure from China may not prompt others to follow suit, but its high-profile declaration could help shine a light on the business environment in the world's third-largest economy.

Believe it or not - the tech specs of the rumoured Google Chrome OS-based netbook are already out and by the sound of it, the netbook looks to me like a high performance machine.