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AP Technology NewsBrief at 4:49 a.m. EST(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) YouTube tries to help media find more free videoSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ YouTube is trying to help shrinking newsrooms expand their video coverage without increasing their payrolls. The assist comes in the form of "YouTube Direct," a free tool made for media interested in amateur video of calamities, protests or other newsworthy events. The application was debuting Tuesday as a way for news organizations to solicit and show videos on their own Web sites. Microsoft co-founder Allen treated for lymphomaSEATTLE (AP) _ Microsoft Corp. co-founder and billionaire investor Paul Allen has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is undergoing chemotherapy. In a memo sent to employees, Jody Allen, Paul Allen's sister and the CEO of his investment firm Vulcan Inc., said the 56-year-old received the diagnosis early this month. According to the memo, Paul Allen has diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a relatively common form of lymphoma. Comcast's NBC talks cap its decades-long risePHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Ralph Roberts knew he was onto something big when people ran after his cable TV trucks in Tupelo, Miss., asking for a visit to their homes. It was 1963. Roberts had been looking for new ventures after selling his belt-and-suspenders company. He bought American Cable Systems for $500,000 _ an opportunity that had been mentioned to him by a business acquaintance he came across while strolling down a Philadelphia street. Broadcast pioneer NBC prepares for cable takeoverNEW YORK (AP) _ Eight decades after pioneering the concept of broadcasting, NBC is on the verge of a startling move that illustrates broadcast television's decline. Cable TV operator Comcast Corp. is expected to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal, perhaps as early as this week, bringing the network of Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Hope, Milton Berle and Tom Brokaw under the corporate control of the company that owns the Golf Channel and E! Entertainment Television. Twitter to scrap controversial suggested user listPUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) _ Social-media site Twitter plans to scrap its hand-picked list of "suggested users" to follow after controversy erupted over the selection of people on the list, a company executive said Monday. Twitter co-founder Biz Stone said the company was seeking a more systematic way to introduce its prominent posters, including sports figures, celebrities and politicians, to newcomers to the site. Vonage to settle investigation involving 32 statesNEW YORK (AP) _ Internet phone service provider Vonage Holdings Corp. has agreed to pay $3 million to 32 states to settle an investigation into some of its business practices. In a filing Monday with the Securities Exchange Commission, the company said it also agreed to provide refunds to affected customers. USA Today tests online edition at collegesSTATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) _ Penn State, Indiana and Missouri are the first schools to participate in a USA Today initiative meant to test how students respond to electronic versions of printed newspapers. The "e-Edition" is free for students, faculty and staff. USA Today says it's identical to the newspaper's print edition but with additional interactive and exclusive content. For instance, the Penn State edition, which officially launched last week, includes a university-themed story selected and written by the school. Google makes concessions on digital book dealSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Internet search leader Google will ease its control over millions of copyright-protected books earmarked for its digital library if a court approves a revised lawsuit settlement that addresses objections of antitrust regulators. The offer comes two months after the U.S. Justice Department balked at Google's original agreement with authors and publishers, warning the arrangement could do more harm than good in the emerging market for electronic books. Opposition: Iran rulers more brutal than shahTEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran's embattled opposition leaders accused the government of becoming more brutal than the shah's regime in Web statements Saturday, and authorities announced a new Internet crackdown aimed at choking off the reform movement's last real means of keeping its campaign alive. Two of Iran's top pro-reform figures said police used excessive force against anti-government protesters who took to the streets last week on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover. Finnish technology workers warn of strikeHELSINKI (AP) _ Some 2,000 employees in Finland's technology sector will begin a strike in two weeks time if no agreement is reached in labor talks with company managers, union leaders said Wednesday. The weeklong strike, due to start Dec. 1, would affect certain units at engineering firm ABB, mobile phone maker Nokia Corp., shipbuilder STX Finland and engineering group Rautaruukki. (c) 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |