Facebook Docs is no Google Docs

Although the name implies that Facebook Docs is something similar to Google Docs, it really is nothing of the sort, at least yet.

At the f8 conference yesterday, Facebook took the wraps off of a way to share documents, spreadsheets and presentation files online with your friends.   The service is called Docs.com and powered by Microsoft's Fuse Labs and is currently in Beta.  The permissions for the Docs are granted MORE

Watchdog calls for federal inquiry into Google

Consumer group wants Justice Department to break Google up or convert it into a public utility

Today the consumer advocacy group Consumer  Watchdog called for a broad Department of Justice investigation into Google and significant punishments against the Mountain View, CA-based company.

The complaint paints Google's search engine monopoly, which is currently at 70% of the U.S. market, as a way to invade other businesses.  "How it tweaks its proprietary search algorithms MORE

Google updates Places, offers free photoshoot

To help promote its recently rebranded Places service, Google is offering businesses in larger cities in the U.S., Japan and Australia a visit by a photographer.

Formerly known as Google Local Business, Places was rebranded this week and its service expanded.

from google.com

How the Mac weathered the downturn

Click to enlarge. Chart: Alexis W. Cabot

"The current recession has lowered overall sales of PCs, but Macs have been the least affected," writes Alexis W. Cabot (awcabot on The Mac Observer's Apple Finance Board), who used the data he's been tracking on Apple's (AAPL) computer sales for nearly a decade to create the growth-rate chart above.

"Macs have been on a roll ever since I have comparable data, with an MORE

Why Apple likes ARM

Apple's A4 chip, which made its debut in the iPad, uses ARM technology. Rumor has it that Jobs & Co. could make a bid for the Cambridge, UK company. Photo: Apple.

Apple is sitting on a heap of cash – more than $40 billion at last count – and the big question has been what the company will do with it. Investors in London this week are buzzing about one MORE

Letterman's Top 10: Excuses for the guy who lost Apple's top secret iPhone

The tale of the lost prototype is now a late-night comedy joke -- and not a very funny one

Source: CBS

David Letterman, with great reluctance, used the story of Apple's (AAPL) misplaced iPhone as fodder for his top 10 list Wednesday night.

"Frankly I'm a little sick -- fed up -- with the Apple people," he begins. "Because, first of all, nobody's got any money. And second of all, would we MORE

Chart: Where Apple gets its revenue

Source: Silicon Alley Insider

The growing importance of the iPhone -- which now represents 40% of Apple's (AAPL) revenue stream -- couldn't be clearer. Kudos to Dan Frommer at Silicon Alley Insider. Wish I'd thought of it.

See also:

Apple blow-out: Profits jump 89.5%
The bloggers called it. The Street blew it.

[Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter @philiped]

Facebook: The social Google?

In this episode of Techmate, Jon and Michael breakdown Facebook's F8 conference, and the company's strategy to become the Google (GOOG) of the social-Web.

Google unveils government requests tool

New tool shows which governments pull content and how much from Google's sites.

Google today announced that it was unveiling a tool to increase its transparency when dealing with governments and their takedown requests.

Strangely, China is absent from the results.  Maybe China asked for that to be pulled down too.

Google increases lobbying spending by 57 percent

Google is ramping up its efforts in Washington to influence lawmakers according to a Consumer Watchdog  press release

Google (GOOG) started its 'goodwill mission to Washington' with the following statement in 2003:

Kimberly White/Getty Images

"We established a Washington presence because we felt like it was important to give our users a voice in Washington.  Technology can be complicated. We absolutely believe taking the time to help people understand our business MORE