Originally published November 5, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified November 5, 2007 at 2:01 AM
Technology Briefs
Coalition formed for "Google Phone"
Google today is announcing a new "open phone" coalition, with the goal of developing an operating system for the so-called "Google Phone...
Google today is announcing a new "open phone" coalition, with the goal of developing an operating system for the so-called "Google Phone."
The new operating system, geared specifically for cellphones, will be used to showcase and promote Google's services, much like Microsoft has done for decades with its Windows operating system.
Google's coalition partners, as of Sunday, included Sprint, Motorola, Samsung and Japanese wireless giant NTT DoCoMo, according to people familiar with Google's plans. Notably absent: AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
Google did not respond to e-mails seeking comment.
The new G-system will be based on Linux and overlaid with Java, a popular computer language.
The finished product, expected within months, will unabashedly favor Google applications and services, with a reported spring target date for shipment.
Microsoft
College hoops, ESPN on Xbox Live
Microsoft has added college basketball and other ESPN programming to the growing lineup of video content available for download to its Xbox 360 video-game console.
Microsoft and ESPN said people can buy complete NCAA basketball and football games, the X Games sports competitions and programs like ESPN's "Madden Nation," which chronicles a competition of "Madden NFL" video-game players, from the Xbox Live Web site.
Xbox 360 users can buy commercial-free standard-definition versions of select NCAA games for $3, and high-definition versions for $4.50, within 48 hours of the game's conclusion. ESPN TV shows, like the other TV content on the Xbox Live download site, cost $2 for standard-definition and $3 for high-def versions.
As part of the agreement, ESPN is considering ways to incorporate the Xbox Live online-gaming community into its telecasts. The companies did not disclose financial terms. ESPN already delivers live, streaming sports footage to customers of certain broadband Internet providers.
![]()
Ballard Power
Daimler, Ford eye fuel-cell assets
Ballard Power Systems is negotiating with Daimler and Ford Motor to sell its automotive fuel cell assets because of high development costs.
The Vancouver, B.C., company said Sunday it is pursuing strategic alternatives because of the "lengthy project timeline to commercialization" for fuel-cell technology,
Germany's WirtschaftsWoche business magazine reported that Ballard has agreed to sell its auto unit to Daimler. An agreement could be announced as early as this month, the magazine said.
MySpace
More ads to be tailored to profiles
The popular online hangout MySpace is expanding its program for letting advertisers target their pitches using personal details on users' profile pages.
Since July, MySpace has allowed more than 50 leading advertisers, including Procter & Gamble, Ford Motor and Taco Bell, to target any of 10 interest groups, such as movies, travel and auto.
In the program's second phase, launching today, MySpace is adding an 11th category, television, along with hundreds of subcategories, such as horror movies.
Facebook was scheduled to announce its own ad program Tuesday, though officials refused to discuss its nature.
UW Bothell
Professor assigns Wikipedia project
Instead of asking students in her environmental-history course to turn in one big paper at the end of the semester, University of Washington, Bothell, professor Martha Groom is requiring them either to write an original Wikipedia article or to do a major edit on an existing one.
Since the advent of the Web, she said, the quality of sources students cite has deteriorated.
For her students, the Wikipedia experiment was "transformative," and students' writing online proved better than the average undergrad research paper.
Compiled from USA Today, The Associated Press and Bloomberg News
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
Toyota's Toyoda scolds execs for emulating U.S. car companies' mistakes
Money Makeover: Financial makeover: A "go-getter" goes after her spending habit
Do your homework before buying brokered CDs
Mutual-fund deposits shift into low gear

Tribal Fireworks Rivalry
The Fourth of July marks a long-standing fireworks rivalry between two clans of a Native-American family in Suquamish.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Tax tips for new independent professionals
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new truck? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Palin takes to Web for hints of political future
- Fourth of July festivals and fireworks in Seattle, the suburbs and beyond
- The Blotter | Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
- Russell Branyan, Mariners fight off the Red Sox
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Desert-lobster dispute turns pair into sagebrush heroes
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
- Rob Johnson's double in 11th powers Mariners past Red Sox, 7-6
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
755 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/04 game thread
244 - Reports: NKorean missile arrives at launch site
100 - Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
99 - Palin's Declaration of Independence
73 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
60 - Mariners score unlikely win over Red Sox in battle of bullpens
58 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
54 - Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
41 - Plasma and LED beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
28
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Concert Review | Green Day blasts off 4th weekend with KeyArena show
- Lake Washington's sockeye run may hit a record low
- Pre-grill drill: marinate steaks
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
- Art and conversation flow from hands and heart of artist Mandy Greer
- Amtrak cleared for 2nd daily train to Vancouver, B.C.
- Fire danger already here in parched NW forests





