Yahoo to replace Google for search on Firefox

Tech giant Yahoo will now replace online leader Google as the default search engine on Firefox's internet browsers in the US.

Yahoo said it would launch a "clean, modern and immersive design" search engine for Firefox users starting in December.

The news comes as Google's arrangement with Firefox maker Mozilla nears an end after a decade-long partnership.

Market leader Google accounts for 67% of searches from US desktop computers.

That compares to about

Google responds to News Corp 'platform for piracy' blog

Google has responded to an attack by the chief executive of News Corp, who called it a "platform for piracy".

Robert Thomson's letter had urged the European Commission to take a tougher approach to Google's market dominance.

But in a detailed response on its website, the search company said it "has done more than almost any other company to help tackle online piracy".

Google also defended itself against accusations that it uses its market position to stifle competition.

The Commission is currently in the process of deciding how far to curtail Google's market dominance in Europe.

Google's blog, posted by Rachel Whetstone, senior vice-president for Global Communications, argued that the internet offered more choice than ever.

"Because the competition is just one click away online, barriers to switching are very, very low," it said.

"Google is of course very popular in Europe, but we are not

EU's Almunia says may probe Google's non-search services

Google Inc, the target of an EU antitrust investigation into its internet search engine, may face further scrutiny over its other services following several complaints, Europe's antitrust chief said on Tuesday.

European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said this meant Google could end up a bigger case than Microsoft Corp, which found itself embroiled in a decade-long battle with the EU watchdog and was hit with more than 2.2 billion euros ($2.8 billion) in fines.

"We have received complaints on the possible diversion of internet traffic toward Google services which are not search services, so this is a possible third investigation concerning Google," Almunia told a European Parliament hearing.

Google spokesman Al Verney said

Android One smartphones released in India by three companies

The first Android One-branded budget-priced "high quality" smartphones have been released in India.

The handsets provide a minimum set of features determined by Google, which has sourced several of the components to help cut manufacturing costs.

The company has also teamed up with a local network to make it cheaper to download Android updates and new apps.

Experts suggest the move should help address criticism of earlier entry-price smartphones.

Sundar Pichai, who oversees Android, said the Android One scheme had delivered economies of scale that meant the first batch of phones could be offered for as low as 6,399 rupees ($105; £65) if bought contract-free.

"Our goal was to develop

Google launches new venture fund for European start-ups

Google is launching a venture capital fund to invest in promising European technology companies.

The $100m (£58m) fund will "invest in the best ideas from the best European entrepreneurs", according to Bill Maris, managing partner at Google Ventures, overseeing the project.

"We believe Europe's start-up scene has enormous potential."

The new operation will be based near London's Silicon Roundabout start-up district.

But Google is open to