Google readies iPad killer

Google is developing a tablet PC, which it hopes to pitch against Apple's iPad, reports Computing.co.uk.

An article in The New York Times said Google chief executive Eric Schmidt has described the device as a reader tablet that will also perform computing functions.

Such a device would be based on Google's Android operating system and Android Market, and could use the Google Book service to deliver e-books to the tablet. The move would provide Google with another hardware device in direct competition with Apple.

Google and an alliance of privacy groups have come to Yahoo's aid by helping the Web portal fend off a broad request from the US Department of Justice for e-mail messages, states CNET.

In a brief, the coalition says a search warrant signed by a judge is necessary before the FBI or other police agencies can read the contents of Yahoo Mail messages - a position that puts those companies directly at odds with the Obama administration.

Yahoo has been quietly fighting prosecutors' requests in front of a federal judge in Colorado, with many documents filed under seal.

In the wake of several disturbing cyber bullying stories in the news recently, Facebook has unveiled a safety centre, which is intended to provide a resource for parents, educators, teens, and members of the law enforcement community, says PCMag.

"We've quadrupled the safety content available, and we've created cleaner, more navigable interfaces to help you find answers to safety questions fast," says Facebook's chief security office Joe Sullivan.

"This portal - which we've been testing during the past few weeks - draws multimedia content from Facebook and from independent organisations specialising in safety and security online."

The three main UK party leaders have agreed to take part in digital debates on Web sites Facebook and YouTube, writes the BBC.

Internet users will be able to suggest questions in five categories on the sites, which will be voted on by other members of the public.

Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and David Cameron have pledged to post video responses 10 days before election day.