December 4, 2008 2:38 PM PST

CNET News Daily Podcast: Facebook, Google open competing services

Facebook announced its Facebook Connect registration and marketing service today. And moments later, Google rushed out an announcement to journalists that it is making its competing service, called Friend Connect, available to Web site operators.

A new Firefox plug-in turns Amazon.com into piracy heaven for people looking to download music, movies, and other digital content for free. Also in this podcast: former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers has asked President Bush for commuted sentence; Sun calls on a 13-year-old program to compete with Flash and other Web app programming tools; and a new free application makes searching easier for iPhone users.

Listen now:

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Today's stories:

Facebook Connect officially open...and it will win

Google's turn: Friend Connect is live, too

Sources: Layoffs hit RealNetworks

New Firefox extension turns Amazon.com into illegal free-for-all

Former WorldCom CEO seeks clemency

Icahn against partial-sale bid for Yahoo

With JavaFX, Sun seeks new coders, new revenue

What's causing video glitches at Apple, Netflix?

In Flickr's mobile upgrade, video!

Point-and-click search on the iPhone

Slowing expectations at a green-tech start-up

Faces of the recession

From Cy Young pitcher to video game star

Photos: Capturing Lincecum's 'freaky' motion

Jennifer Guevin is assistant managing editor of CNET News. She focuses on science and green tech. But she also makes the occasional contribution to CNET's kitchen gadgets blog or writes about the latest Web distraction. Once a week, she takes the mic as host of CNET's Daily News Podcast. E-mail Jennifer.

Topics:: News,; Podcasts

Tags:: Facebook Connect,; Google Friend Connect,; JavaFX

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About CNET News Daily Podcast

The CNET News team brings you this snappy podcast every weekday, covering everything from privacy to processors, iPods to Intel. Rafe Needleman, Leslie Katz, Erica Ogg, and Jennifer Guevin cover the top technology news of the day, and encourage listeners to be a part of the discussion.

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Meet the hosts of the CNET News Daily Podcast

Rafe Needleman is editor of CNET's Webware. He's been covering technology since 1988, and has interviewed thousands of tech execs. He blogs at Rafe's Radar.

Leslie Katz is senior editor of CNET News' Crave blog, which focuses on gadgets, games, and all other digital distractions.

Erica Ogg keeps up on the latest consumer electronics and PC goings-on as chief correspondent for CNET News' Crave blog.

Jennifer Guevin is assistant managing editor for CNET News and focuses on science and green tech.

Josh Lowensohn writes for Webware.com, CNET's blog about Web applications and services. E-mail Josh, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Josh.

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