Sony Says Give Us $50 More and We’ll Make Your New Computer Run Better

By Jimmy Daniels of Windows Tips
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
I couldn’t believe this when I read it this morning, but apparently Sony Computers has a new Fresh Start option, where they remove all the free trial software they install, Sony Vaio applications and games from your new computer, to free up valuable hard drive space, conserve memory [...]

AOL to Acquire Bebo for $850 Million

By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews
In a surprise move, Time-Warner’s AOL division on Thursday announced it has acquired Bebo for $850 million in cash. Bebo claims a global membership of about 40 million users and is the top social networking site in Ireland and New Zealand. It is No. 3 in the [...]

Ink Jet Ink Now $8,000 a Gallon

By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
I just saw $3.99 on a gas station pricing sign this weekend, and you know it’s not going to get any lower. Being an optimist, I decided to see what other fluids are even more pricey than light sweet crude. Turns out - Ink Jet ink has now reached an unbelievable $8,000 a [...]

Ultimate Travel Gadget: Belkin Mini Power Strip

By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
Anyone who travels a lot will simply look at this device and sigh with relief. Why? Hotels are awful about providing enough power outlets near the desk - and with more and more gadgets hitting the road, it means a room strewn with charging cell phones and laptops and headsets, etc. One room [...]

Sony/ATV, Apple Deny Rumors of iTunes Beatles Deal

By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews
Sorry, Beatles fans: two sources are throwing cold water on rumors that Paul McCartney has sold the rights to the Beatles back catalog to iTunes.
First, a denial by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which is the joint venture owned by Sony and singer Michael Jackson. Sony/ATV owns the publishing rights to the vast [...]

Electronic Arts’ $2 Billion Offer for Take-Two: Rejected!

By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews
Shades of another takeover bid we’ve been discussing - a lot - lately. On Sunday, Electronic Arts announced it has offered $2 billion in cash for Take-Two Interactive Software, best known for - what else? - Grand Theft Auto. Anyone want some Hot Coffee?
It didn’t take long for a response. [...]

First Lawsuit Filed Over Yahoo! Rejection of Microsoft Bid

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Well, now we know how strongly shareholders feel about Yahoo! turning down Microsoft. The first lawsuit over the Yahoo! rejection of the Microsoft bid has been filed.
The Wayne County Employee’s Retirement System of Michigan was the first to file suit. The retirement fund owns 13,600 shares. The [...]

Microsoft Responds to Yahoo’s Rejection

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
As you’re probably aware, Yahoo! officially rejected Microsoft’s unsolicited bid this morning. Microsoft has already fired back, via a press release. My guess is they probably had this all prepared and ready to go over the weekend.
Like a spurned lover, Microsoft doesn’t sound too happy.
The press release says:
It is [...]

Starbucks Signs Deal with AT&T for Wi-Fi, Dumps T-Mobile

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Today Starbucks and AT&T announced a deal which will bring AT&T wireless service to Starbucks outlets across the company - while (unsaid) at the same time tossing T-Mobile wi-fi to the curb. I certainly didn’t see this one coming.
T-Mobile and Starbucks had been partnered for six years.
In the press release, [...]

Yahoo! Board to Reject Microsoft Offer: Source

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
A source has told the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) that the Yahoo! Board of Directors, which held an emergency meeting Friday, plans to reject the unsolicited Microsoft offer as it “massively undervalues” Yahoo!
Of course, while the board has been mulling this offer, the bid has gone down significantly, with Microsoft [...]

modu’s Modular Cell Phone: Some Assembly Required

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
How would you like a cell phone that has a business-like QWERTY keyboard when you want it to, or a 12-key at other times, or can even be slipped into some future Kindle-type device as its cellular guts? That’s the basic premise behind Israeli startup modu’s new modular cell [...]

Microsoft, Google, Verisign, Yahoo! and IBM Join OpenID’s Board

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Now we’re talking about serious respectability. The OpenID Foundation now has some major new backers, with Microsoft, Google, Verisign, Yahoo! and IBM all joining the Foundation as its first corporate board members.
As more and more sites and companies sign up to support OpenID, the addition of corporate members shouldn’t come [...]

Intelius Shuts Down Controversial Cell Phone Directory

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Only a few months after launching an online cell phone directory with over 90 million numbers, Intelius has shut it down, following an outcry from both the wireless industry as well as consumers.
In a press release, Liz Murray, Communications Manager at Intelius said:
“As a company, we have strived to be [...]

Microsoft Offers $44.6B for Yahoo!

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
This sort of deal has been rumored for some time, but now it’s reality - or at least the offer is. Microsoft has made a proposal to Yahoo!, offering $31 / share, or $44.6B, to acquire the company. This would be a 62% premium over yesterday’s closing price. The [...]

Amazon.com Buys Audible

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
On Thursday, Amazon.com announced it has reached an agreement to buy Audible, which if you haven’t already “heard,” is the leading audiobook reseller. The deal is valued at $300 million, which is a 20% premium over Wednesday’s closing price for Audible (ADBL).
In a press release, Steve Kessel, Amazon.com’s senior vice [...]

The iPhone Goes Corporate

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
AT&T and the iPhone have gone corporate. Despite the opinion of many analysts, AT&T is now labeling the iPhone an Enterprise-class device. My question, as with my earlier AT&T SIM-only story is, why is this all that great again?
The reason I say this is because if you compare the [...]

Lotus Notes Coming to the iPhone?

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
According to AP, those of you corporate types who’ve been holding off buying an iPhone because of a lack of corporate email support may find that reason vanishing soon. IBM is poised to announce a version of Lotus Notes e-mail for the iPhone at its Lotusphere conference in Orlando, Fla., [...]

Asus Outlines Eee PC Windows XP Roll-Out Plan

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Is it sufficient to say “woo-hoo”?! Many have been jonesing for an Asus Eee PC with Windows XP for some time, not just in terms of the upcoming new models, but also because the first-gen Eee PC could supposedly support it as well. Wednesday, in an emailed press release, Asus outlined [...]

Is Paramount Poised to Follow Warner Bros. to Blu-ray?

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
The Financial Times has a report that if true, would send HD-DVD into the same abyss as Betamax: it states there is a clause in Paramount’s contract with the HD-DVD group that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner backing Blu-ray, and that Paramount is “poised” to [...]

Fallout Begins Over Warner Bros. Blu-ray Decision; Is the Party Over (Literally)?

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Friday Warner Bros., the last “on the fence” studio, announced its decision to drop HD-DVD at the of end of May and focus on Blu-ray only. Fallout, as well as some crowing, and even some veiled threats, has begun.
First the HD-DVD Group issued a short, terse press release in response [...]