Microsoft files antitrust complaint against Google in Europe, showdown imminent

Bill Gates and Paul AllenMicrosoft, citing Google's tyrannical 95% share of the European search market, has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission. It's not like Microsoft is breaking any ground here -- the European Commission has been investigating Google's alleged violation of European competition law since November 2010 -- but there's no doubt that the addition of Microsoft's gravitas will affect the proceedings.

Microsoft's complaint reads like a sincere and plaintive cry for help against the Google Overlord. Microsoft lists no less than six damning reasons why Google's behavior is anti-competitive -- from Windows Phone 7's incompatibility with YouTube, to its nefarious handling of Google Books -- and finishes with a wide-eyed plea to the European Commission to please find Google guilty.

For those of you that have been following Microsoft's own antitrust troubles over the last decade, don't worry: MS is quick to point out the irony in the situation. "There of course will be some who will point out the irony in today's filing. Having spent more than a decade wearing the shoe on the other foot with the European Commission, the filing of a formal antitrust complaint is not something we take lightly. This is the first time Microsoft Corporation has ever taken this step. More so than most, we recognize the importance of ensuring that competition laws remain balanced and that technology innovation moves forward."

It sounds like Microsoft, having well and truly gone through the wringer, wants Google to be held similarly accountable. That's fair enough, right?

Microsoft files antitrust complaint against Google in Europe, showdown imminent originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google-in-europe-sh/

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Doodle.ly and SketchBook Ink – Two iOS Apps That Will Give Your Stylus a Workout

I’ve been trying two new art apps on my iPad this week. One is Doodle.ly and the other is SketchBook Ink. One is like Twitter for doodlers and the other is a spinoff app from Autodesk’s popular SketchBook Pro app. This isn’t really a review, but more of a quick look at both apps. Doodle.ly (available [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/06/01/doodle-ly-and-sketchbook-ink-two-ios-apps-that-will-give-your-stylus-a-workout/

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Help Bob make money in Sticks, a fun physics game

sticks
Sticks is another one of those rare games where the intro is actually worth watching. It introduces you to office worker Bob, who is basically a wage slave fantasizing about a better existence.

Then, on his way back home from another grueling day at the office, he passes a huge sign which says "Sticks." This is where the game starts.

Each level has a number of coins hovering in mid-air, and your goal is to place sticks that lead those coins to Bob -- but you only have a limited amount of wood to play with. As soon as you're done placing your sticks strategically, hit the big Play button and let nature, or rather gravity, run its course. The coins will drop down, and if you place your sticks correctly, they will roll all the way to Bob.

The soundtrack is soothing and playful, and didn't get on my nerves even after playing for quite a while. All in all, a very cute game, especially for a day at the office.

Help Bob make money in Sticks, a fun physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/help-bob-make-money-in-sticks-a-fun-physics-game/

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The Easiest, Most Trigger-Happy Way to Complain About Your Lousy Meal [Apps]

Leaving a nasty Yelp review seems practically pointless, now that there's an SMS service connecting cranky customers directly to a restaurant's owner/s and management staff. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/4maY8-GS-a4/the-easiest-most-trigger+happy-way-to-complain-about-your-lousy-meal

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Acer announces Aspire S7 Ultrabook series with 11.6- and 13.3-inch touchscreens (update: hands-on!)

Acer announces Aspire S7 Ultrabook series with 116 and 133inch touchscreens

Intel already gave us a heads up that several touch-enabled Ultrabooks were in store for 2012, and here they are, becoming real before our eyes. Here at Computex 2012, Acer just announced the Aspire S7 series, which includes a 13.3-inch model and an 11.6-incher, the first in the company's Ultrabook lineup. The S7 series will no doubt be the first of many touch-enabled Ultrabooks we see in Taipei this week, and these in particular have screens that fold back 180 degrees, allowing the system to lie flat. Unlike the original S3, which caught flack for its chintzy design, these two are made of 12.5mm-thick unibody aluminum and sport backlit keyboards and "full HD" displays, making these the most premium Ultrabooks Acer has attempted so far. In the case of the 13-inch version, too, you'll get a glass lid -- something previously seen only on the HP Envy 14 Spectre.

Unfortunately, Acer isn't sharing any details about specs right now, though we do know the 11-inch model is rated for up to nine hours of battery life, while the larger promises up to 12. With these systems, Acer is also introducing its so-called Twin Air cooling system (not that overheating was much of a problem on the original S3). In terms of pricing and availability, Acer has a long history of revealing those details separately, with a different announcement for each region. Besides, Acer has been clear that these will run Windows 8, so you won't be able to get your hands on one of these for a good four months yet. For now, though, stay tuned because Acer has the S7 laptops on display here and we'll be back shortly bringing you first-hand photos and video.

Continue reading Acer announces Aspire S7 Ultrabook series with 11.6- and 13.3-inch touchscreens (update: hands-on!)

Acer announces Aspire S7 Ultrabook series with 11.6- and 13.3-inch touchscreens (update: hands-on!) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 22:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/KvZmgS7FpCw/

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Ask DLS: Cross-platform multiplayer games that work on Android and iOS

askdls
Here's one for our knowledgeable commenters: I recently bought my girlfriend an iPad. I, on the other hand, own an Android device. And now we're looking for games we can play using both devices.

There's no dearth of multiplayer games either for Android or for iOS. But finding multiplayer games that can cross the platform boundary is an entirely different matter.

Jay recently posted Words with Friends which is one such game. It's actually an ideal example, because it's turn-based so you don't necessarily both have to be next to your device at the same time (great for long-distance gaming).

But what other examples are there? What multiplayer games are there that let iOS users play with Android users?

[Why am I now humming 'Ebony and Ivory'? -Ed]

Ask DLS: Cross-platform multiplayer games that work on Android and iOS originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/ask-dls-cross-platform-multiplayer-games-that-work-on-android-and-ios/

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Sensor-Filled Umbrella Turns Raindrops Into a Retro 8-Bit Soundtrack [Video]

Nintendo may have long since abandoned the Game Boy platform, but it hasn't stopped artists with a passion for retro 8-bit sounds from using it to still create music. Like Alice Zappe, whose love of Game Boy chiptunes also inspired her to create this umbrella that turns rain drops into bleeps and bloops. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/tyEG2_UR9QM/sensor+filled-umbrella-turns-raindrops-into-a-retro-8+bit-soundtrack

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, floating eco-resort and a G-POD

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Inhabitat's Week in Green Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, floating ecoresort and a GPOD

Next month, all eyes will be on London when the English capital hosts the Summer Olympics. In preparation, this week London officials unveiled an impressive new LED light installation on the Tower Bridge. The new lights, which cut the landmark's energy consumption by 40 percent, will be turned white to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (her 60th year as monarch). Speaking of London, we also took a look at the new 2012 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in Hyde Park. The maze-like underground pavilion is the first collaboration between Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and architects Herzog & de Meuron since they teamed up to produce the Bird's Nest at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion isn't the only subterranean architecture project we've been buzzing about this week. In fact, we were amazed to report that all of the apocalypse-proof condos in an underground converted nuclear missile silo in Kansas have been sold. The 1,820-square-foot units were purchased for an amazing $2 million apiece. If you prefer to spend your time (and money) above ground, may be suggest your very own solar-powered floating eco-resort? The aptly-named Solar Floating Resort sleeps six and it comes with an underwater observation room. And for the landlubber in search of a unique space to pass the time, feast your eyes on the spherical G-POD! The sleek, prefabricated structures are made of Norwegian spruce, and they'd be perfect for rooftops and gardens.

Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, floating eco-resort and a G-POD

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, floating eco-resort and a G-POD originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/03/serpentine-gallery-pavilion-floating-resort-g-pod-green/

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Don't Sleep Under the Stars. Sleep in the Stars [Daily Desired]

Look at this tent. You just can't glimpse it and not immediately want to pack up and go camping out under the beautiful blanket of the night sky food a few days. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/xUUv8U_iXrQ/beautiful-space-tent-makes-you-want-to-drop-everything-and-go-camping

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