unions

EU could rule on Google antitrust probe in March

The European Union could make a decision as early as March on whether or not it'll file a formal antitrust complaint against Google, according to a news report.

"I will receive comments from the case team towards the end of the first quarter," European Competition Commission Joaquin Almunia told Reuters in an interview published today. "I do not expect anything sooner. Let us see."

The fact that the European Union could come to a decision so soon after launching an investigation is somewhat surprising. In the vast majority of antitrust cases, the EU can take … Read more

Video memo pad replaces notes on the fridge

LAS VEGAS--Family notes are a time-honored tradition. "We're out of milk." "Don't forget to walk the dog." "Your mother called, but I didn't pick up. Call her back."

There's no need for pencil and paper, chalkboards, or sticky notes when you have Native Union's Play video memo pad.

The small gadget has a magnetic back so it can stick to your refrigerator, car, washing machine, or anything else made out of metal.

There are only three buttons: play, record, and delete. Record a video memo and a small light blinks to let the next person know to check it.

The Play has a 2.4-inch LCD and 0.3-megapixel camera. Those specs won't blow you away, but high-tech isn't the point here. It's about simplicity. You don't need HD when you're just reminding the kids to clean their rooms.… Read more

EU to make final call on Google's Motorola buy in January

Google has petitioned the European Union's executive arm for approval of its Motorola Mobility merger, but don't expect a decision this year.

According to information posted today on the European Commission's Web site, Google provided official notification on Friday about its planned merger. In response, the European Commission has promised to review the merger over the next several weeks and to make a decision about the deal by January 10.

Google announced plans earlier this year to acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. In addition to the European Union's approval, Google must get a nod … Read more

HP recruiting EU in its Itanium fight against Oracle

Hewlett-Packard is calling in reinforcements from Europe to help it in its latest battle against Oracle.

The PC maker has asked European Union antitrust officials to investigate whether Oracle acted improperly by ending support for Intel's Itanium microprocessor, according to Reuters.

In June, HP launched a lawsuit against Oracle, alleging that the database giant's decision to stop making software for Itanium was simply an attempt to drive business away from HP and toward Oracle. Oracle had announced in March that it would no longer develop software for the chip. But HP has been heavily invested in using Itanium … Read more

Union: AT&T's T-Mobile buy would create 100,000 jobs

The merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA would create more than 100,000 jobs in the United States, a major telecommunications union said today, again putting its weight behind the deal.

The Communications Workers of America said a new analysis has found that the deal, which would combine the second- and fourth-largest U.S. wireless carriers, would create an additional 96,000 jobs, alongside the 5,000 outsourced jobs AT&T has pledged to bring back.

The CWA also lashed out at opponents of the deal, noting that their concerns over lost jobs stemmed from "sloppy … Read more

Apple to train managers on 'union awareness' (exclusive)

Corrected on November 8 at 3:30 p.m. PT to reflect that the training program is not related to Apple's retail stores. This story has been changed throughout to reflect that.

Apple is training some of its managers how to manage worker unions, CNET has learned.

In an internal document obtained by CNET, the company posted information about a training course on the topic, which takes place tomorrow morning and is required to be taken by all new managers at one of the company's off-site logistical centers.

"This course is intended to provide managers with a … Read more

Texting app banned by BlackBerry returns on own terms

Even the lawyers can't stop technology.

When a startup called Kik launched a mobile messaging app a year ago, the growth was explosive. More than 2 million people downloaded it in its first few weeks, turning Kik into a viral sensation on both the iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones.

Then the trouble began. First, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion pulled the Kik app from its app store. Then it filed suit against Kik Interactive in federal court in Canada, claiming misuse of trademarks and patent infringements. RIM makes the popular BlackBerry Messenger service, called BBM.

But while the legal process … Read more

Microsoft's Skype deal to win EU approval, report says

Microsoft might finally have all the pieces in place to finalize its Skype acquisition.

Joaquín Almunia, the European Union's competition commissioner, is ready to approve Microsoft's acquisition of Skype, the Financial Times is reporting. The publication says that Almunia will approve the deal without requiring Microsoft to give any concessions, indicating that the governing body does not feel the deal will stifle competition.

In May, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion. As part of the terms of the deal, Skype will become its own division within the software giant's operation, led … Read more

The 404 913: Where Jill and the Amazon Kindle are on Fire (podcast)

The Rev. Justin Yu is out for the rest of the week, but in his place we have the always informative financial guru Jill Schlesinger. Today we talk about the new Amazon Kindle Fire, and how it changes everything in the tablet market (especially for Google). But we also quiz Aunt Jill about the ongoing crisis in Europe, and she tells us about the sugary grab bag at the News & Documentary Emmys.

The 404 Digest for Episode 913

Amazon's new Kindle Fire Amazon Kindle Touch Amazon Kindle Amazon Silk browser iPhone announcement Bathroom Break: 'Jedi Kittens Strike Back' Episode 913 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more