Archive for November, 2007

Google introduces group IM for Gmail

It’s a day of experiments and feature upgrades for Google users. On top of an experimental voting option in Google search, Gmail users can now do instant message chats in groups.
Here’s how it works. Log into Gmail, then use its chat feature and start chatting with someone. Go to the “options” button in the chat [...]

AdBrite raises $23M to keep up with ad network race

Online advertising company AdBrite has raised $23 million in a third round of funding from investors including Sequoia Capital and hedge fund Artis Management.
The funding comes as an increasing number of companies are building ad networks, lured by the lucrative buyouts of such companies of late. Microsoft, Yahoo, Google and others are shelling out billions [...]

Got $350,000? Knome has your full genome

In a surprising move, Knome, a Boston-area startup, is offering whole-genome sequencing to individuals.
This is big, because Knome’s mapping of your genome is full deal, not the rough-draft genome offered by competitors, such as 23andMe. For the moment, this is gee-wizz stuff. As far as practical use, much of it is to be determined. But [...]

Google’s first social search step — your vote, please

We’ve been discussing how Facebook could enhance web search through using social data. Google has seemingly responded with — for now — an experiment.
Google is letting you vote on search results in order to influence which search results you will see in the future.
Your vote only applies to what Google search results you will see, [...]

Vodafone, Telefonica select Amobee for mobile ads — fend off Google

Amobee Media Systems, a San Francisco company building advertising technology for large wireless carriers, has won investments from two large carrier groups, Vodafone and Spain’s Telefonica.
The move reflects how Vodafone and Telefonica are taking steps to defend themselves from players like Google and Yahoo, which also see the huge potential in the emerging mobile advertising [...]