Sony to abandon Image Station project

MEMBERS of Sony's online photo service have been told it will close the service finally on the 1st of February 2008.

But, before that, other elements of the service will be abandoned, with features like upload, sharing and shopping disabled from the 12th of November next.

It's offering its members a transfer of services to Shutterfly, but is also providing other services so people don't lose their snaps.

It warns users that they have to decide the way to go by February 1st, otherwise any photos left hanging around will be deleted.

Its "dear valued customer" message is here.

Sometimes we wonder about how our descendants will know anything about what happened in the digital age. No more yellowing snaps in the attic, just strange looking circular shiny disks that no one can decipher.

Google seeks to acquire ad tracker

By ASSOCIATED PRESS BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Google Inc. said Friday it had filed for European Union permission to take over online ad tracker DoubleClick, a $3.1 billion deal that already has stirred concern about the control it will give Google over Internet advertising. "We asked the European Commission to look at the proposed acquisition. We believe this deal is positive for both users and advertisers and fosters competition," Google's antitrust counsel Julia Holtz said in a statement. Search engine rival Yahoo Inc. immediately said the deal...

Ford and Microsoft work to get in 'Sync'

SEATTLE - Both are American icons, built on supplying the masses. Both have a chairman named Bill. And both have a reputation for being difficult to work with. Aside from those few facts, Ford Motor Co., led by executive chairman Bill Ford, and Microsoft Corp., led by executive chairman Bill Gates, had very little in common as they embarked, in April 2006, on developing Sync. That's the new wireless technology that will allow drivers to control their cell phones and digital music devices through the car while driving - all with voice commands...