Google has said this weekend that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a second request for information in regards to the search giant’s bid to purchase ITA Software for $700 million.
ITA software is the company behind flight information software used by Bing, Kayak and Orbitz among others.
The software helps users search for flights, compare flight options and prices, and ultimately purchase tickets.
Google has no such software built-in to its search engine, and in that respect, Microsoft’s Bing has the advantage.
Kayak and Orbitz voiced concerns that after the purchase, Google could shut off ITA information to them. Google has said it will not do anything of the sort.
Google responded to the second request: “While we think this acquisition will benefit travelers as well as those seeking their business, we know that closer scrutiny has been one consequence of Google’s success, and we said that we wouldn’t be surprised if there were a regulatory review before the deal closes. This week we received what’s called a “second request,” which means that the U.S. Department of Justice is asking for more information so that they can continue to review the deal.”
Past “second requests” have historically meant that the DOJ is concerned about the impact the deal will have on an industry.
Result for: format
Following the industry’s recent push into 3D, Roxio’s latest Creator software bundle gives users the chance to convert their 2D photos and videos into 3D, as well as manage and edit 3D content.
Consumers can import files from 3D cameras and camcorders, edit the video, save it to a number of popular formats and finally burn it to DVD, or Blu-ray if you have the proper hardware.
If you have a large collection of 2D video and photos (like everyone does), you can convert it over to 3D using a few clicks.
Gizmodo reviewed that section of the software and had this to say: “The standard amateur 3D rules apply—things work best when you leave a good distance between you and your subject; when there’s a well-defined foreground, midground, and background, etc.—but on some of the examples I saw, there was a decent 3D effect (on others it was less successful, but as always, practice makes perfect).”
Outside of the new 3D upgrades, Creator still allows for management, editing and sharing of a variety of file formats.
Result for: format
Although it was recently judged to be a legal process, Apple still doesn’t want anyone to jailbreak their “i” devices, and has applied for a patent that would give them the right to “kill” jailbroken devices, as well as “kill” stolen iPods and phones.
The patent is titled “Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users of an Electronic Device,” and it covers a number of security measures to “protect” devices from “unauthorized users.”
Those unauthorized users are jailbreakers and those that have stolen devices from other legit owners.
The patent was filed in February 2009, and was just published this week. The application will help Apple identify “particular activities that may indicate suspicious behavior,” so that Apple can restrict those devices. Suspicious activities include “hacking, jailbreaking, unlocking, or removal of a SIM card.”
Reads the application (via CNET):
In some embodiments, an unauthorized user can be detected by comparing the identity of the current user to the identities of authorized users of the electronic device. For example, a photograph of the current user can be taken, a recording of the current user’s voice can be recorded, the heartbeat of the current user can be recorded, or any combination of the above. The photograph, recording, or heartbeat can be compared, respectively, to a photograph, recording, or heartbeat of authorized users of the electronic device to determine whether they match. If they do not match, the current user can be detected as an unauthorized user.
[More]>>
