Microsoft
New MSN page
Microsoft will roll out a new MSN.com home page in the U.S. this week that will focus more attention on the software maker’s Bing Internet search engine and Silverlight video, a rival to Adobe Systems’ Flash. The new page also tries to cut down on clutter by featuring about 50 percent fewer links, Microsoft Vice President Erik Jorgensen said. A video pane on the top of the screen plays Silverlight clips, while a middle section offers popular searches. A right-side pane features social-networking services such as Facebook and Twitter. Microsoft wants to do a better job of persuading visitors at its MSN network of Web sites to use Bing, which ranks third in the U.S. search market.
— Bloomberg News
Android update
Google CEO Eric Schmidt said the new version of Android, the company’s mobile operating system, will spur “strong growth” in applications for devices using the software. “It looks like it’s going to take off,” Schmidt said Wednesday at a meeting with reporters in Cambridge, Mass. “We’re right at that inflection point where it should all come together.” Android competes with Apple’s iPhone, Research In Motion’s BlackBerry and Palm’s Pre. Apple said Wednesday that there are more than 100,000 applications available for the iPhone. Android had more than 8,000 programs in August.
— Bloomberg News
Activision
Sued by No Doubt
Activision Blizzard was accused of breaching a contract with pop group No Doubt by allowing likenesses of band members to perform songs by other acts in a new version of “Guitar Hero.” “Activision transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act by enabling each member’s ‘performance’ of over 60 musical works, many of which include lyrics, contained in iconic songs, which are not appropriate for No Doubt,” the band said in a complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The band said in 23 years it has released only 10 cover songs. In its agreement with Activision, in which the band licensed the game maker to use its work in a new version of “Guitar Hero,” No Doubt permitted likenesses of the members to perform only three of the band’s songs, according to the complaint.
— Bloomberg News