Google, Microsoft woo Facebook ... Adware maker DirectRevenue shuts down ... Facebook teams up with RIM

In this issue:
- CTIA: Facebook teams up with RIM
- Adware maker DirectRevenue suddenly shuts down
- DOD, VA still working on sharing e-health records
- Oracle buys operations planning vendor Interlace
- Google and Microsoft slobbering over Facebook
- Microsoft withdraws remaining European appeals
- YouTube gets anti-piracy religion
- Texting driver broadsides train
- Gadget giveaway ends soon. Enter now!


IN THE NEWS

CTIA: Facebook teams up with RIM
College parties met business e-mail on Wednesday as Facebook Inc. said it is adding its social-networking platform to Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry devices.

Hounded by spyware charges, Direct Revenue shuts down
Notorious adware maker DirectRevenue LLC has closed shop, giving no reason for the move.

DOD, VA still working on sharing e-health records
The U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs still aren't able to share complete electronic health records of military members and veterans despite working on a project for nine years, employees of the two agencies told a congressional committee Wednesday.

Oracle buys operations planning vendor Interlace
Oracle Corp. continues to snap up smaller software companies even while it battles to acquire middleware vendor BEA Systems Inc. On Wednesday Oracle said it had agreed to buy Interlace Systems Inc., which makes operations planning software, for an undisclosed price.

Intel settles patent case with Transmeta
Intel on Wednesday agreed to settle a dispute with Transmeta for $250 million, ending patent litigation between both companies.

Adobe makes Flex Builder free for students, faculty
Adobe is hoping to woo new developers by making Flex Builder 2 available free for educational institutions.

Report: Google and Microsoft slobbering over Facebook
Google and Microsoft are intensely courting Facebook, as the social-networking upstart tries to decide which of the two will be allowed to buy a minority stake in the company.

Oracle ships Windows version of 11g database
http://www.itworld.com/AppDev/119/071024oracle11g/index.html
Oracle has released the Windows version of its flagship 11g database, a few months after the company shipped the Linux version. Along with assorted performance improvements, the Windows release features beefed-up integration with Microsoft's platform on both the administrative and developer levels.

MS ANTITRUST: Microsoft withdraws remaining European appeals
Microsoft Corp. has dropped two outstanding appeals of European antitrust rulings, following the deal struck with the European Commission at the beginning of this week, the company said in a statement Wednesday.


OPINION

YouTube gets anti-piracy religion
By Dan Blacharski, ITworld

I've wondered aloud and within this space on numerous occasions, just what Google had in mind - and if they were in fact in their right mind - when they bought YouTube. At the time of the acquisition, YouTube was a vehicle for marginally useful home-made videos of poor quality, with no apparent revenue model. But it seems that the Googlers may have been crazy like a fox in the acquisition, and it may yet transform YouTube into something worthwhile, and maybe even profitable.


PODCAST

Daily IT News Audio Update
Oracle says BEA rejects buyout bid ... But BEA later says it wants higher price ... My SQL lays out database roadmap


GADGET GIVEAWAY

Our gadget giveaway ends soon. Don't wait. Enter now!

What's the giveway? A Swiss Army knife that includes a USB flash
drive, LED light, and ballpoint pen -- in other words, the ultimate geek gadget.

Enter now for a chance to win!


ITWHIRLED

Texting driver broadsides train
Robert Gillespie was driving through Eugene, Oregon at 2 a.m. and trying to pull a trifecta: operating his car, sending a text message, and processing all the alcohol he had put into his system. Sadly, something had to give, and he ended up running into the side of a moving train. Nobody was hurt, but hopefully a lesson regarding text messaging (and booze) was learned.

Subscribe to the ITwhirled alert - weird tech news direct to your inbox.
http://www.accelacomm.com/jlp/itwtodaynl/1/10011008/


POLL

What's your favorite smell?

- Cookies
- Coffee
- Flowers
- Bacon
- Cologne/perfume
- Money

Vote now!