Google, Inc., has launched Google Desktop for Linux three years after the company's launch of the same product for the Windows operating system. The application, designed for finding data on the web, also comes in a Mac OS X version. Google Desktop for Linux, however, will not be loaded with certain features, such as "Sidebar" and "Gadget." Google Desktop for Linux, developed by Google's Beijing engineering team, runs on Debian 4.0 Core 6, Red Flag 5, Fedora Core 6, and Ubuntu 6.10 and is available in several languages.
Panasonic releases Blu-ray discs with 4x writing speed
Panasonic has introduced a write-once Blu-ray disc in high-definition format with a writing speed faster than that of any other disc currently available. The disc has a 4x writing speed, whereas other Blu-ray discs only have a 2x writing speed. The single-sided disc is available with 25 gigabytes and 50 gigabytes. Blu-ray currently accounts for more than 60% of the market for movie DVDs and has a slight edge on HD DVD. Panasonic, the brand name of Matsushita Electrical Industrial, plans to release the 25-gigabyte version of its 4x Blu-ray disc this month and larger discs a few months later.
Google buys Internet telephone technology firm GrandCentral
Google has bought GrandCentral Communications, an Internet firm that gives people access to telephone communications wherever they go. GrandCentral, which was founded in 2005, will aid Google's service that allows for collaborative exchange of information between visitors to the site. Every user will get a number that he or she can route to home telephones or mobile devices using the Internet. With GrandCentral's technology, telephone messages can be listened to from any phone or online.
Phoenix Technology to launch Mobile P2P Payments
Phoenix Technology Holdings, Inc., a leader in the loyalty solutions industry powering Smart Chip Technologies products, will launch its Mobile Person to Person (P2P) Payments product. The new technology will enable simple and secure P2P payments. Any mobile device can be used to transfer money to another receiver. The technology will benefit wireless carriers and financial institutions. Phoenix Technology Holdings provides hosting, sales, development, and system support for customer-retention solutions.
Vyyo adds David Feldman as CTO
Vyyo, Inc., a supplier of broadband access equipment for cable system operators, has announced the appointment of David Feldman as the company's chief technology officer. Feldman has more than 30 years of cable and technology experience. He has been the vice president of technology for Charter Communications and Jones Intercable. Most recently, he served as a principal member of the technical staff at Advanced Micro Devices. In his new position with the Georgia-based company, he will be responsible for the continued evolution of the company's UltraBand spectrum overlay solutions and will work to develop advanced broadband services.
