Google patent foils media companies

Google is developing technology that could position it to compete with a new breed of digital media companies that are generating story ideas for the Internet by mining online search data for under-covered topics, writes Financial Times.

These new digital companies hope to produce content more cheaply than traditional media operations by using statistical analysis to identify topics of interest to consumers and then hiring freelancers to produce relevant stories or videos.

However, Google obtained a patent this year for a system that would help it identify "inadequate content" on the Web, based on comparisons of what people search for and what they find, said executives who have reviewed the filing.

A new report from Frost & Sullivan says green IT aspirations are driving companies to adopt unified communications solutions, reports Zycko.

In 2009, the market for Web conferencing services in Europe grew by 19.3% and the report adds that the recession further increased the interest for enterprises in UC.

"A green IT strategy is becoming a necessity for organisations in both public and private sectors,” says Dorota Oviedo, an industry analyst for UC and collaboration.

Canon Middle East has released a portable scanner that runs across multiple operating systems, states Zawya.

The scanner includes built-in software, CaptureOnTouch, which provides plug-and-play functionality without needing to install any applications or driver software.

"As one of the smallest and fastest duplex A4 scanners available, it is perfect for executives that often travel to client sites,” says Vishal Gohel, product manager, Canon.