Former State Department official to head 'Google Ideas' (AFP)

AFP - A former State Department official credited with helping bring social networking and other Web 2.0 tools to US diplomacy has been tapped to head a new division at Google called "Google Ideas."

European police target online film piracy network (AFP)

AFP - Police in 14 European countries on Tuesday launched a series of raids against an online film pirating network, Swedish authorities said.

Yikes! Coming to TV This Fall -- Google And Its Ads (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Google, the company that seems intent on becoming a force in anything that uses electrons, said Tuesday that it expects to expand its Web TV service across the globe. CEO Eric Schmidt said at the big IFA consumer electronics show now in Berlin that he expects other TV set manufacturers to join Sony, which is scheduled to launch Web TV in the U.S. beginning this fall. Samsung has recently said it is considering releasing TV sets with the Google software.

The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes (AP)

AP - iTunes' top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending Sept. 6, 2010:

Exploding Google Logo Means... What? (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - If the measure of a good logo is that it is memorable, Google is setting new records. On the day after Labor Day, the search giant is featuring a new variation on its well-known name in which the logo breaks up and runs from your cursor -- and people are wondering why.

Exploding Google Logo Means... What? (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - If the measure of a good logo is that it is memorable, Google is setting new records. On the day after Labor Day, the search giant is featuring a new variation on its well-known name in which the logo breaks up and runs from your cursor -- and people are wondering why.

Freed Journalist Tricked Captors Into Twitter Access (PC World)

PC World - A Japanese journalist freed over the weekend by captors in Afghanistan managed to send two Twitter messages before his release while teaching a captor how to access the Internet on a new cell phone, he said Tuesday.

Ping attracts 1 million users in 48 hours (Macworld.com)

Macworld.com - AppleÂ announced last week that more than one million users signed up forÂ Ping in the serviceâs first 48 hours of availability. Ping, as apparently a million of you already know, is the music-focused social network built intoÂ iTunes 10, which the company released just last week.

Google to start TV service in U.S. this autumn (Reuters)

Reuters - Google Inc will launch its service to bring the Web to TV screens in the United States this autumn and worldwide next year, its chief executive said, as it extends its reach from the desktop to the living room.

Blancspot puts social twist on visual news (Appolicious)

Appolicious - News app Blancspot is truly taking advantage of iPhone 4’s retina-display and giving visual news a social twist. In addition to headlines, Blancspot ($1.99) offers specialized categories in the areas of sports, business, politics, culture, war and the environment. Within each category, users will be treated to high-resolution images displayed with a “Ken Burns”-style movement and backed with a variety of songs, available for purchase through the iTunes cart icon. ...

This week’s best iPad apps will keep you well-read and in touch with friends (Appolicious)

Appolicious - The iTunes App Store was full of good stuff this week for the iPad, including some great new magazines with awesome presentation designed specifically for the digital medium, a couple of fun games to help pass the time, and yet another Facebook app.

Google's Schmidt Talks Automatic Search, Google TV, Chrome OS (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - Search engines are all about finding the information you want right now, and the next step is to do that automatically before you even think to conduct that search, Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said Tuesday.

Google's Schmidt Talks Automatic Search, Google TV, Chrome OS (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - Search engines are all about finding the information you want right now, and the next step is to do that automatically before you even think to conduct that search, Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said Tuesday.

Social Good Summit: Tackling Global Challenges with Social Media (Mashable)

Mashable - Mashable is proud to be partnering with the UN Foundation, 92Y, Livestream.com, CNN and a host of teams and organizations to produce a unique opportunity to make UN Week accessible to the public -- both online and offline.

Samsung Fascinate for Verizon Launching Sept. 8 (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - The new Samsung Fascinate smartphone for Verizon Wireless will be available online starting Wednesday, according to Verizon.

AOL teaming up with Ellen DeGeneres online (AP)

AP - AOL is adding talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to its family of Web properties as it looks for ways to draw more people to its sites.

Polls Show Netizens Oppose Craigslist Censorship (PC World)

PC World - Web-based polls and views express online show popular opinion is against the censoring of adult services ads on Craigslist. A poll at Mashable shows 71 percent of the respondents voted no to the question "Should Craigslist's Adult Services be censored?" Meanwhile, the Washington Post asked its readers, "Do you agree with Craigslist's decision?" to block access to its Adult Services section. Fifty-two percent of them said no.

Polls Show Netizens Oppose Craigslist's Censorship (PC World)

PC World - Web-based polls and views expressed online show popular opinion is against the censoring of adult services ads on Craigslist. A poll at Mashable shows 71 percent of the respondents voted no to the question "Should Craigslist's Adult Services be censored?" Meanwhile, the Washington Post asked its readers, "Do you agree with Craigslist's decision?" to block access to its Adult Services section. Fifty-two percent of them said no.

Rep. Frank faces town hall foe in Mass. primary (AP)

AP - Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank's retort was an Internet sensation.

Bosnian woman saves puppies tossed into river: report (AFP)

AFP - Five puppies that were thrown into a river by their owner, sparking worldwide outrage after a video of the deed appeared online, have been rescued and put up for adoption, a Croat daily said Monday.

Nike Unveils New iPhone App Just for Runners (Mashable)

Mashable - Nike has just rolled out a new iPhone app for runners, available for download now [iTunes link].

Jordanian websites shift political dissent online (Reuters)

Reuters - Mocking officials online, exposing high-level corruption and discussing political tension could land journalists in many autocratic Middle East states in jail.

Texas probing Google over search results (AFP)

AFP - The attorney general of the US state of Texas has opened an inquiry into whether Internet giant Google manipulates search results.

Texas Conducting Antitrust Review of Google (PC World)

PC World - Google on Friday said that the Texas Attorney General's Office is conducting an antitrust review of the search giant, following a similar investigation launched in Europe earlier this year.

Texas opens inquiry into Google search rankings (AP)

AP - Google Inc.'s methods for recommending websites are being reviewed by Texas' attorney general in an investigation spurred by complaints that the company has abused its power as the Internet's dominant search engine.

Google faces Texas AG inquiry, settles privacy suit (Reuters)

Reuters - Google Inc said on Friday it was the target of an investigation by the Texas Attorney General's office into the fairness of its search engine rankings.

Google plans to sell music online (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - The search giant is in talks with music labels on plans for a download store and a digital song locker that would let its mobile phone users play songs wherever they are. Google (NMS:GOOG) hopes to launch the service by Christmas, according to sources. Google is trying to compete with Apple, which dominates via its iTunes Music Stores, accounting for 70% of all U.S. digital music sales. It rose 1.5% to 470.30.

Apple Browsing Share Tops Linux, Android Steals Share Everywhere (PC World)

PC World - More people browsed the Internet last month with a device running Apple's mobile operating system, iOS, than used Linux to do so. That's a first for Apple, according to NetMarketShare, a firm that produces metrics on the market share of browsers, operating systems and search engines.

Texas AG Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Google (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is conducting an antitrust review of Google, the search engine giant announced Friday.

Google to Simplify Privacy Policy (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - Google on Friday announced that it will be streamlining its privacy policy, effective Oct. 3. The search engine giant is not making any material changes to its policy, but is removing redundant sections, and launching a new privacy tools page.

Summary Box: Google, AOL reach new search deal (AP)

AP - THE DEAL: Under a new five-year agreement, Google Inc. will continue to provide the search results on AOL Inc.'s websites. The companies signed the deal this week.

AOL Rejects Bing and Renews Search Ties To Google (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - When Microsoft launched its Bing decision engine in 2009, it may have held out hope for an alliance with AOL. In fact, there were even rumors that Microsoft would buy out the struggling Internet service provider. But AOL has shunned Bing in favor of Microsoft's online nemesis, Google.

New AOL search deal with Google includes mobile (AP)

AP - Google Inc. will continue to provide the search results on AOL Inc.'s websites under a new, five-year deal the companies signed this week.

Google and AOL Renew Long-term Partnership (PC World)

PC World - Google and AOL have renewed a long-term partnership that gives AOL Web properties access to Google search and advertising services.

AOL renews search deal with Google (AFP)

AFP - Google will power Internet search across AOL properties and AOL video will appear on YouTube under an agreement reached on Thursday between the Web companies.

AOL renews Google search agreement (Reuters)

Reuters - AOL Inc said on Thursday it has renewed a search agreement with Google Inc, further cementing a decade-long partnership as AOL tries to turn around its business.

Baidu to focus mobile Internet investment on search (Reuters)

Reuters - Baidu Inc, operator of China's dominant search engine, said on Thursday that it will focus its future mobile Internet investments on its core search business as it takes aim at the next big Internet space.

Baidu Launches New Entertainment Features for Search Engine (PC World)

PC World - Baidu, China's largest search engine, officially launched a series of new entertainment features on Thursday, making it easier for users to access games, television shows and books.

South Korean company dumping Yahoo's search ads (AP)

AP - Yahoo Inc. is about to lose one of its search advertising partners in South Korea as the Internet company prepares to convert to Microsoft Corp.'s technology.

Gmail Glitch Plays Music Upon Sign-In for Some Chrome Users (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - A glitch with a YouTube video intended to notify users about Google's new Priority Inbox feature has resulted in some unwanted Gmail background music.