services

Facebook COO: Search to harness the 'wisdom of friends'

While Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg wouldn't affirm whether or not Facebook could take on Google in the search arena, it's clear the social-networking giant thinks there's an untapped revenue stream in a social search product.

"I think people are surprised how much search is done on Facebook, you know, every day there's an enormous percentage of search. There's also a promise in the market that search could become more social that we don't think this has been met," she told CNBC this morning. "When you're looking for information, … Read more

Samsung looks to acquisitions to better take on Apple, Google

Samsung Electronics is on the lookout for mobile-software companies it can acquire to strengthen the content it offers customers beyond what's available on its popular mobile devices such as the Galaxy series of smartphones and tablets.

Reuters reported Thursday that the Korean electronics giant will be buying its way into a better competitive position with Apple, Google, and Amazon in the digital-content space, particularly in the music market, which is worth nearly $9 billion.

"The message we're getting from the top is to raise software compatibility, and buy rather than build, if needed," Kang Tae-jin, senior … Read more

Google Fiber casts wide net in Kansas City

In just six weeks, nearly 90 percent of eligible neighborhoods around Kansas City have signed up for Google Fiber.

The company wrote in a blog post yesterday that at least 180 out of 202 "fiberhoods" have already qualified for the super-high-speed Internet service. Google says that it's still processing verification requests, and should be able to hand over the final list later this week.

Google opened up its pre-registration for Fiber six weeks ago. The 1-gigabit-per-second service will cost customers $70 per month. The fast speeds are available for both uploads and downloads, and come with 1 … Read more

RadioShack to launch 'no contract wireless' on Sept. 5, report says

RadioShack may be doubling down on the wireless game.

An alleged internal memo has started floating around the Web indicating that RadioShack will launch a No Contract Wireless service on September 5. According to Engadget, which obtained the alleged memo and posted an image of it, the service will be powered by Cricket, a wireless provider offering no-contract service.

Cricket offers similar no-contract service at other retailers. According to the leaked memo, RadioShack's service will be differentiated by the company offering "an exclusive 8GB SD memory card with all Muve Music phones."

RadioShack currently sells smartphones in … Read more

How to skip through corporate phone trees with GetHuman

If you've ever needed to resolve a simple billing question or handle anything other than signing up for a new service, you know that you need to block out time to navigate the phone trees or other obstacles corporations throw in your way. Customer service costs them money, and the more issues they can resolve without paying a human representative, the better for their bottom line. When we need to reach someone, though, this can mean interminable waiting and frustration. GetHuman is a Web service designed to help you get the assistance you need quickly. Here's how to … Read more

Uber wins reprieve to continue operating in Boston

After getting a cease-and-desist order, private livery service Uber has gotten the green light to resume operations in Boston.

The Division of Standards of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts earlier this month ordered the service, which allows people to request private car service via their smartphones, to cease operations because the National Institute of Standards and Technology had not issued guidelines for use of GPS location technology in commercial transportation.

Uber uses GPS technology rather than traditional odometers to measure distance traveled, which then determines the passenger's fare. That, apparently, is what the state Standards Division objected to.

"The … Read more

Uber Boston promises to fight cease-and-desist order

It looks like Uber is being driven out of another city.

Uber, the quickly growing startup that lets people request private car service via their smartphones, has received a cease-and-desist letter from the Division of Standards of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ordering it to stop operating in Boston.

The letter (see below) states that until the National Institute of Standards and Technology issues guidelines for use of GPS location technology in commercial transportation, Uber can't allow the public to use its app.

"GPS has not been used in commercial applications for assessing transportation charges until Uber Technologies, Inc. … Read more

Hands-on with the Republic Wireless Motorola Defy XT

Late last year, Republic Wireless made a big splash by offering an Android smartphone with unlimited calling, texting, and data for the unheard-of price of $19 per month.

There were a few catches, of course, most notably the phone itself: LG's Optimus S, a small, decidedly entry-level model with a scratch-prone screen and slow processor.

This month, the company dumped the Optimus in favor of a new model: the Motorola Defy XT. How does it compare? I've spent the last week or so finding out.

In terms of specs alone, the Defy XT blows the Optimus S out … Read more

IBM has eyes on RIM enterprise-services unit, report says

Research In Motion has been approached by IBM to discuss a possible sale of the BlackBerry maker's enterprise-services division, a new report claims.

IBM has so far held informal discussions about picking up RIM's enterprise-services division, which includes the network that powers its e-mail platform, among other software, Bloomberg is reporting today, citing sources. According to Bloomberg's sources, IBM has made it clear to RIM that it doesn't want to acquire the entire company.

RIM has said publicly that it believes it can turn things around, despite plummeting device sales and rampant delays that have pushed … Read more