eBay eyes Skype

eBay is in talks to acquire Internet-telephone company Skype Technologies, prompting a 4% drop in shares of the online auctioneer amid concern Skype could crimp eBay`s growth, reports eWeek.

The report says a deal would connect millions of eBay`s customers with Skype, but quotes sources close to the talks as saying the deal is far from concluded and could still fall through.

Despite some opposition to the move, analysts have conceded that Skype`s free calling service could serve as a useful additional feature for connecting buyers and sellers in the auction process.

Skype has about 52 million registered users for its free service and 2 million users for its pay-calling service, but has never officially revealed revenue or profit figures. Skype calls are free to other Skype users, but the company charges a fee to connect to traditional land-based telephones.

Microsoft is reported to be planning to take aim at rival Google next week with a new Web development plan.

According to News.Com, Microsoft will open access to its MSN and other public Web sites to let developers assemble new applications that build on those sites.

The report says Google and other Web companies have used the same technique successfully to entice developers to build applications that rely on their market offerings.

Hurricane Katrina survivors are finally connecting with their families using Internet phones running on improvised wireless networks, says the Washington Post.

The report says the connections have been made possible by a band of volunteer techies who are putting together wireless networks at shelters across north-eastern Louisiana using radio transmitters mounted on grain silos and water towers.

In the absence of reliable communications systems, people and companies from around the US are converging on the region to create improvised networks that give survivors and emergency personnel ways to talk and coordinate efforts.

In the first major upgrade to the Firefox browser since its launch in November last year, users will find significant enhancements in usability, performance, extensibility, security and privacy, reports PC World.

The report says Beta 1 of Firefox 1.5 is expected to be followed by a second beta version early in October and then two or three follow-up releases starting in late October before the launch of the final version before the end of the year.

Developers of the open source browser say the beta releases are primarily aimed at software developers for testing and feedback, but anyone interested will be able to download the software.