Morning Paper

Google headed for Facebook face-off

Tech Crunch reported Google is silently and quickly working on their own version of the over-hyped very popular Facebook social networking with something said to be code named "Maka Maka".

Maka-Maka encompasses Google’s grand plan to build a social layer across all of its applications. Some details about Maka-Maka have already leaked out, particularly how Google plans to use the feed engine that powers Google Reader (known internally as Reactor) to create “activity streams” for other applications akin to Facebook’s news and mini feeds. But Maka-Maka goes well beyond that.

Originally, Google was looking to get phase one out the door by November 5th (next week in other words) but it is looking like that will be delayed. What is believed, however is that Google will leverage their iGoogle start page  to begin the Facebook assault.

All eyes will be on Google, but don’t expect anything too earth-shattering straight out of the gate. Many of these apps will be copycats of what is already available on Facebook (just as the very first apps on Facebook were ported over from other parts of the Web). This first go-round, Google will just be trying to match Facebook’s ante. Remember, even on Facebook, the best apps didn’t emerge on Day One. And now Facebook has a six-month lead. 

I think the whole social networking thing is going to get shaken up yet again. Google's Maka Maka (or whatever they end up calling it) will be plastered all over the known universe with the inevitable comparisons between them and everyone else (MySpace, et al) with one key difference: even I use at least Google search (and I do have a Gmail account) and you all know my disdain for on-line social networking groups.

For all those folks who run from social network to social network because someone tells them it's "cool", Google already has them at Google search, or Google Reader but especially at GMail. With Google continuing to make inroads into many of the applications that today's web based people have come to rely on, the switch could be a natural "no-brainer" for, I would guess, most people. Google, much like Microsoft, has already infiltrated most of our collective computing experience and will gain the same benefits that Microsoft does: it's everywhere already.

At least until something else comes along. But, if Google pulls this off the way it sounds and ties all of the information they already have about all of us together right, that something else will be a long time coming and have a difficult hill to climb.

Google will be king of the mountain.

More details can be found on Between the Lines at ZDNET. Theirs was the earliest story posted with an excellent break down of the tech "how-to" behind what Google is planning.

Is This A New 16 GB iPhone?

Here's another one from the rumor mill, an Apple store employee is claiming that his store has begun receiving 16GB iPhones to go on sale next Thursday. Now we all know the 16GB is coming someday someway. But is it here? I'm a bit wary of this because those Apple store guys are like the Cheney cabinet, sworn to secrecy and they follow it.

It's easy to call shenanigans on this one, but as you can see in this photo, there are 14.4GB available on this pictured iPhone running version 1.1.2

But after all the red flags are thrown and all of the instant replays judged, only time will tell.

Gizmodo

TELEMARKETERS CELL PHONE HOAX!

If you haven't heard already , there's an e-mail that's been going around alerting that your cell phone number will be released to telemarketers. The FTC says it BOGUS!

...READ FULL STORY...

Strong indications on new Dell Tablet being available soon

Looks like the rumor mill is restarting about the imminent release of the Dell Tablet.

Crave and GottaBeMobile are both reporting good sources that are giving specs, round about price and probable availability of the new tablet, which would be the first for Dell in this particular market space.

In addition to what we've already learned and gleaned, Crave has the following info from someone who saw the XT Tablet PC at IT Expo in Alaska:

• Beautiful, crisp touch screen
• Thin and light
• SD card reader and fingerprint scanner
• Small, pocket-sized power brick
• Magnetic lock for screen, instead of a clasp
• Dell reps said the pricing will likely be between $1,500 and $2,000, and release date was "end of year."

This seems to be the some of the most definitive information available thus far that the tablet is on track and Dell will be bringing it to the table (could be) as early as next month and no later than the end of the year.

Also, a little bird told me that one of our regular Morning Paper readers will be getting the chance to demo the Dell entrance in the tablet scape next month.

Don't worry, I've already put in a request with him for more info as soon as he gets it.

British Telecom "Is" Looking To Purchase Sprint

There is a lot going on over at Sprint these days. Chief Executive Gary Forsee is on his way out. The Palm Centro is on it's way in, and rumors of British Telecom buying Sprint are showing up on the internets. Well over the weekend, our trusted Sprint source gave us the news, and it's very simple, British Telecom will purchase Sprint. I couldn't get all of the juicy details that make a juicy rumor juicy, but our source says that folks very close to situation to her that talks are under way and the filtered out buy news is true.

Of course you know, the second we get more news we'll print it.

Is Apple Ready To Offer iPhone Third Party Support?

Could it be? Could Steve be ready to smile down upon iPhone owners and let them do as they damn well please with their expensive phones? According to 9to5mac by way of Engadget, maybe. The rumor is some former "Sidekick" platform designers have taken a trip to Jobsland to come up with a mobile app sales infrastructure for iTunes. ---the rumor has it things are already progressing along with EA porting games to the iPod touch and iPhone that very same closed-platform model which would leave Apple conveniently in control of app approval, distribution, and presumably pricing.---

Is it really open if Apple is looking to control it's pricing and entire infrastructure? Nope. This could be an interesting development however.

An Intel iPhone Coming?

Let the rumor mill turn. Digitaltimes is reporting that Apple will look to use intel's Moorestown MID (mobile Internet device) platform processor in any new version of the iPhone. ----Intel revealed a Moorestown-based MID product with functions similar to Apple's iPhone at the recent Intel Developer Forum (IDF) San Francisco. The Moorestown platform is expected to launch in 2009 and Apple is considering developing an iPhone based on it, stated the sources. Some channel vendors think that if Apple adopts Intel's platform in its iPhone, it will reposition the MID market place and affect both notebook and handset markets.----

Are you ready for Facebook IM? Do you care?

Get your fingers ready as Facebook is set to release a beta of an IM application for their dedicated users. Why is this even considered news? Beats the hell out of me It's because Facebook is the most popular social network around that has a little business cred at many places of employment.

From Blognation UK's Sam Sethi:

I have just been given a sneek preview of a new Facebook IM client that is going into beta this Friday. What I like about this Facebook app is there is nothing to download or install, no registration and best of all, all of your friends in Facebook can use it instantly.

I'm going to tone down my usual rant about social web sites since next year there will undoubtedly be another social web site that every one will be ditching Facebook just as they did MySpace (and before that Friendster). These sites are driven by hype and the intangible "cool" factor. Next year, the "cool" people will anoint some other space as the "cool" spot and that one will dominate the news.

Personally, I think Microsoft or Google (or anyone else) would be foolish to dump money into a social networking site considering how fast and fickle these things come and go but it's not my money.

But, at the very least, as long as you are on Facebook you will be able to IM all of your Facebook "friends" in the near future. The beta is supposed to be available on Friday.

Microsoft looking to get in bed with Facebook, wants to kick Google to the curb

The Wall Street Journal is reporting Microsoft is in talks with Facebook to invest $10 billion in the company hoping for future tie-ins between the Microsoft applications and those of Facebook. This comes about the same time Google is rumored to have made similar overtures to have some sort of stake in the very popular social networking site.

The people familiar with the matter said that the discussions are still preliminary and Facebook could wind up not taking an investment from either Microsoft or Google. Factors in the discussions include the valuation the suitors would offer to Facebook and other business considerations they could contribute to sweeten any deal.

Facebook, which is used by over 40 million people to set up their own personal Web pages, to communicate with each other and to share photos and videos, has emerged as the poster child for the latest Internet wave. An investment in Facebook could give Microsoft or Google greater opportunities to tie their services in with Facebook at a time when they've both recognized that social networking is changing how consumers tap into their core activities, such as Web search and email.

Still not one being on board with all this new fangled social networking stuff (and probably never will), I could see the plus side for both companies. By putting up the cash, they do get some kind of access to whatever is coming down the pike for inclusion of their respective company's offerings. Both Google and Microsoft are increasingly fighting it out in the ad revenue space as well as "destination" sites for all of their on-line applications. 

From what I've heard, Facebook is somewhat a closed system to the desires of outside corporations so throwing some money at them may open the doors a little more. What that will mean for Facebook users is still unclear. My hunch is most would probably welcome Google but frown on Microsoft and that may ultimately make the decision for the owner of Facebook.

He doesn't look like a Microsoft kinda guy to me.

Via TechCrunch

British Telecom Buying Sprint?

What's this, rumors of BT, British tTelecom could be buying Sprint? Well hey why not, there's no such thing as an American company anymore is there? Of course this is just a rumor but you know what happens with rumors, 5 out of 10 times there true. That's half the time. This isn't the first time this year, nor is it the first company this year that has been rumored to buy the yellow company.

Anyway, stocks are moving mouths are chattering so something is going on.

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