12/19, 7:25pm
Senate committee leads worry Google hurting rivals
Senate antitrust committee chairman Herb Kohl and supporter Mike Lee sent a formal letter (below) to the Federal Trade Commission backing an investigation of Google over its dominance of search. The Democrat and Republican together were worried enough about Google's lead in search following Senate hearings that they wanted a "thorough" look. They cited familiar arguments that Google might be abusing a dominant position to favor an increasing number of its own services in results on desktop and mobile, in many cases ousting challengers like Nextag or Yelp.
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10/31, 11:25am
Free Verizon UpNext app offers 3D city views
Those with an Android tablet from Verizon Wireless can now download the UpNext HD Maps -- Verizon Edition app (free, Android Market). The app gives users interactive maps, 3D views and a detailed look at roads, road signs and buildings for 55 large US cities, 22 of which have Enhanced 3D viewing for more detail. Users can explore recreation choices, restaurants and local stores and access reviews from sites such as Yelp.
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09/01, 3:20pm
Adds augmented reality to learning experience
Rutgers University has made the iPad 2 an integral part of its Digital Mini-MBA program. The school's Center for Management Development (CMD) will be providing an iPad 2 as part of an upcoming four-day executive program it will be offering in September. The tablet will be preloaded with all instructional material as well as several augmented reality apps.
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08/29, 8:25pm
Apps include Yelp, Twitter, Expedia
TomTom has introduced its latest navigation device, the Go Live 1535M. The standalone GPS unit is claimed to be the first to offer a full app platform, enabling users to take advantage of travel apps and social networking features that have been available on various smartphone platforms. The Live connected services will include Twitter, Yelp, TripAdvisor and Expedia.
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08/10, 5:15pm
FTC to focus on Android fairness and search
The FTC's investigation into Google is centering heavily on Android alongside the expected search, sources leaked Wednesday. A major thrust of the case has been gauging whether Google is preventing Android makers from using rival services. What these were wasn't divulged to WSJ informants.
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06/09, 4:25pm
Includes traffic updates, Yelp and Google search
Magellan has released RoadMate App 2.0 for the iPhone. The new version of the app ($60, App Store) includes "lifetime" map updates for the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, as well as Magellan's Lifetime Traffic service. New features include reviews of local businesses through Yelp as well as local Google search.
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11/03, 4:00pm
Facebook mobile adds location write, deals, more
Facebook during its special mobile event today changed some of the fundamental structure of its mobile platform to bolster third-party apps and add Foursquare-style deals. Android and iPhone apps will now have access to the write and search components of the Places location interface. The update allows apps to not only check into Places themselves but to search and take advantage of the new mobile feature set.
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08/18, 8:50pm
Facebook Places arrives with mobile apps
(Update: app is now live) Facebook today launched Facebook Places, its own equivalent to location check-in services such as Foursquare. The service both provides a way of marking both immediate presence but also adds a more social component. Visitors can post status updates that stay after they leave and tag friends who are in the area, even if they don't have a device that can check in.
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01/18, 11:35am
Yelp 4.0.0 adds several major features
Developers Yelp and Skype have updated their flagship iPhone apps, introducing significant changes. The free Yelp app is now at v4.0.0, and adds a check-in option, which tells friends that a person is visiting a particular business. Frequent visiting marks a person as a regular, and the system can also be used to locate a user via map or Monocle views.
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12/21, 11:15am
Yelp may be courted by a new buyer
A follow-up rumor today claims that Yelp has stepped away from an offer from Google for unknown reasons. Now thought to be worth as much as $550 million, the buyout was reported by TechCrunch to be near completion but dismissed by Yelp on the weekend. The immediate reasons behind the exit are unknown.
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12/18, 10:35am
Google would get local searching firm
Google is deep in talks to acquire Yelp, more than one source claimed late Thursday. The local business location and reviewing site is deemed "very likely" to sell itself for over $500 million based both on its valuation and its heavy Internet traffic.
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12/08, 5:40pm
Droid picked for free nav, keyboard, more
Time today provided a minor surprise by giving the Motorola Droid a first-place finish in its Gadget of the Year countdown (video below). The Android phone won for including free turn-by-turn GPS through Google Maps Navigation as well as having both a large (3.7-inch) touchscreen and a hardware QWERTY keyboard. In comparison, the iPhone 3GS only reached fourth place, earning the spot for popularizing augmented reality through apps like Layar and Yelp.
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