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Microsoft and several other prominent technology firms have filed a complaint with the European Commission against Google. The problem, according to Microsoft: Google is using its Android operating system (OS) like a Trojan horse to take control of ... the rapidly-expanding mobile market. At the moment, Android can be found on most tablet computers and smartphones. According to a recent study by Strategy Analytics, roughly 7 in every 10 mobile devices run this highly-adaptable OS. Microsoft is just one member of the FairSearch coalition, which also includes Nokia and Oracle. In total, FairSearch ... (view more)

A few weeks back I reported on the addition of spelling and grammar checking to Google's 26th version of Chrome, the search company's low-frills web browser. Now, it appears that Google is promising a serious speed boost with Chrome version 27. ... Specifically, Google says that Google Chrome 27 -- which is currently available in beta form for PCs and Android mobile devices -- will offer a five per cent speed boost over previous versions of the browser. Tests Show Chrome the Speed Leader Given that Chrome is already a blazing-fast browser, that's a substantial improvement in overall performance. ... (view more)

The most popular story on Google News' Science and Technology section yesterday: the earth-shattering announcement by Google that it is shutting down video site YouTube after eight successful years. Of course, it was all just an April Fool's prank. ... In a video posted to YouTube (which you can view by clicking here ), Google claims that the site was just one big eight-year experiment designed to find the very best video clip. $500 Reward for Best Video Google "competition director" Tim Liston (who appears to be entirely fictional) says that, with a best video selected, YouTube will shut down. ... (view more)

Are you a bad speller? Could your grammar skills use some work? Then you might want to download the latest version of Google's popular Chrome Internet browser. Google's latest version of Chrome includes an in-browser spell-checker that can recognize ... many different types of spelling and grammatical errors. According to reports, it can recognize grammar mistakes, distinguish between homonyms, and even make context-sensitive corrections. Enable "Ask Google for Suggestions" It's important to note that, in order for the spell checker to function, users of Chrome must enable the "ask ... (view more)

The 'smart' watch may be the next frontier in high-tech hardware. At the moment, it appears a number of technology heavyweights -- including Apple, Google, and Samsung -- are all working on their own touch screen-enabled devices. Several weeks ago ... rumors emerged suggesting that Cupertino, California-based Apple was working on a touch screen wrist watch that could be integrated with the company's iPhone. Those rumors were based on Apple filing a patent application called the "Bi-Stable Spring with Flexible Display." (Source: theregister.co.uk ) Samsung Confirms Smart Watch in the Works In ... (view more)

Google aroused plenty of anger on Thursday by announcing that it will be taking its popular Google Reader service offline. The decision is part of the company's "spring cleaning" campaign, which, despite the name, started in 2011 and has resulted in ... 70 services being disabled. Google Reader launched in 2005. It's a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) service, meaning it allows users to keep track of their favorite websites with a constantly-updated news feed. Declining Popularity Prompts Move In explaining the decision to kill Reader, Google says that the service just wasn't that popular anymore ... (view more)

A recent Forbes report reveals just how much money can be made in the lucrative consumer technology business. Forbes' annual list of the world's wealthiest people is largely dominated by executives from the tech industry's biggest firms, including ... Microsoft and Google. Sitting atop the world's richest people list is Mexican mobile mogul Carlos Slim Helu, who controls Latin American firm America Movil. Helu's net worth: an astounding $73 billion. Gates, Ballmer, Allen in Top 60 Not far behind is Microsoft chairman Bill Gates , who is worth a reported $67 billion. A short jump down the list to ... (view more)

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a trade organization which represents the interests of U.S. recording industry distributors, says that Google isn't doing enough to prevent copyright infringement and piracy. In a recent report, ... the RIAA claims that Google has done very little to prevent people from pirating music -- despite the fact that the search giant promised to focus significant attention on discouraging piracy roughly six months ago. RIAA: Promises Remain Unfulfilled And while RIAA lawyer Steven M. Marks says that the RIAA does "recognize and appreciate that Google ... (view more)

Google has unveiled a powerful and pricy touchscreen laptop it calls 'Pixel.' The device, which offers shockingly little storage space but access to a 1 terabyte (TB) online storeroom, is being designed with cloud-connected users in mind. In some ... ways the Google Pixel is very similar to Apple's MacBook Air. For one, it's extremely thin and lightweight. Second, with the WiFi model priced at $1,299 and a LTE-connected edition going for $1,499, the high cost will be familiar to Apple users. "Brightest, Best Screen ... Ever": Google Also familiar: a super-lush display. In fact, Google ... (view more)

Google is reportedly preparing to open its very own retail stores in the United States. Such outlets would give the search giant an opportunity to show off its Android-based products, including smartphones, computers, tablets, and the upcoming ... Google Glass technology. The report comes via 9to5Google, which notes that "an extremely reliable source" recently told it that the firm "hopes to have the first flagship Google Stores open for the holidays in major metropolitan areas." Retail Locations Allow Consumers to Try Out Products 9to5Google says that the decision was made because Google worries ... (view more)