Saturday, March 6, 2010

Google to Announce Fourth Quarter 2009 Financial Results


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (January 12, 2010) – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that it will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2009 financial results on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time).
The live webcast of Google's earnings conference call can be accessed at http://investor.google.com/webcast.html. The webcast version of the conference call will be available through the same link following the conference call.
Following the earnings conference call, Google will host an additional question-and-answer session at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time (6:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to provide an opportunity for financial analysts to ask more detailed product and financial questions. This follow-up call will also be webcast and available at http://investor.google.com/webcast.html.

About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Google and On2 Agree to Amend Merger Agreement




CLIFTON PARK, NY and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (January 7, 2010) - On2 Technologies, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ONT) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that they have agreed to amend the merger agreement under which Google will acquire On2. Under the revised terms, each outstanding share of On2 common stock will receive 0.0010 of a share of Google Class A Common Stock for each share of On2 common stock, as previously announced by On2 and Google, plus an additional $0.15 per share in cash consideration.
The revisions to the terms of the merger agreement serve, in part, to address the fact that, since the acquisition was first announced in August 2009, the market value of Google's Class A Common Stock has increased significantly while the value of the acquisition has remained fixed for On2's stockholders. By increasing the consideration offered to On2's stockholders by an additional $0.15 per share in cash, On2's stockholders will receive additional value for their On2 common stock that Google and On2 believe better reflects the value that On2's stockholders would have received had the acquisition closed closer to the time of its announcement in August 2009.
This increase in the consideration that Google is offering to On2's stockholders constitutes Google's final offer.
Google will file with the SEC a supplement to the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, dated November 3, 2009, that will describe the revisions to the merger agreement, including, among other things, the increase in the consideration, and will mail the same to all holders of record of On2 common stock as of the close of business on January 15, 2010, the new record date for the further adjourned Special Meeting of On2's stockholders.
On2's further adjourned Special Meeting will be reconvened at the Comfort Suites in Venetian Room II at 7 Northside Drive, Clifton Park, NY 12065, at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. At the reconvened Special Meeting, holders of On2 common stock as of the new record will be asked to consider and vote upon the merger proposal and, if necessary, the adjournment proposal, as set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus filed by Google.
On2's board of directors approved the amendment to the merger agreement and recommends that On2's stockholders approve the amended merger agreement and the merger proposal.
Stockholders who have questions about the merger, need assistance in submitting their proxy or voting their shares (or changing a prior vote of their shares) should contact On2's proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free at (877) 456-3488, or internationally at +1 (412) 232-3565.
About On2 Technologies, Inc.
On2 (NYSE Amex: ONT) creates advanced video compression technologies that power the video in today's leading desktop and mobile applications and devices. On2 customers include Adobe, Skype, Nokia, Infineon, Sun Microsystems, Mediatek, Sony, Brightcove, and Move Networks. On2 Technologies is headquartered in Clifton Park, NY USA. For more information, visit at www.on2.com or www.on2.cn.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall Web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
Google filed a Registration Statement with the SEC in connection with the proposed merger, which includes a Proxy Statement of On2 and also constitutes a Prospectus of Google. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus, dated November 3, 2009, was mailed to holders of On2 Common Stock identified as of October 20, 2009, which was the notice record date for the December 18, 2009 special meeting, and as of December 3, 2009, which was the voting record date for the December 18, 2009 special meeting. In addition, Google plans to file a prospectus supplement to the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, dated November 3, 2009, which will also be mailed to all holders of On2 Common Stock as of January 15, 2010, the new record date for the adjourned Special Meeting or, if applicable, will file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and the prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement contain important information about Google, On2, the proposed merger and related matters. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement, as amended, the proxy statement/prospectus (including any amendments to it), and/or the prospectus supplement (if filed) carefully. Investors and security holders may also obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, as amended the proxy statement/prospectus, and/or the prospectus supplement (if filed) and other documents filed with the SEC by Google and On2 through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov and by contacting Google Investor Relations at +1-650-253-7663 or On2 Investor Relations at +1-518-881-4299. In addition, investors and security holders can obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC on Google's website at investor.google.com and on On2.s website at www.on2.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Google's and On2's ability to close the acquisition. These statements are based on the current expectations or beliefs of managements of Google Inc. and On2 Technologies, Inc., and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to (1) changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, (2) failure to receive the required stockholder approval for the acquisition, (3) failure to compete successfully in this highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace, (4) failure to retain key employees, and (5) other factors affecting the operation of the respective businesses of Google and On2. More detailed information about these and other factors that may affect current expectations may be found in filings by Google or On2, as applicable, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including their respective most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Google and On2 are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or alter their respective forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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Google is a registered trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
Contacts:
Investor Contact, Google:
Maria Shim
650.253.7663
marias@google.com

Media Contact, Google:
Andrew Pederson
650.450.3896
andrewpederson@google.com

Contact, On2:
Garo Toomajanian
518.881.4299
invest@on2.com

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Google Offers New Model for Consumers to Buy a Mobile Phone


Launches Nexus One, contributing further innovation to the Android ecosystem


MOUNTAIN VIEW (January 5, 2010) - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today unveiled a new way for consumers to purchase an Android mobile phone, a web store hosted by Google. The company is also launching the first phone offered through this new model, called the Nexus One, which combines the latest in hardware from HTC Corporation with the newest Android software.

The goal of Google's new consumer channel is to provide an efficient way to connect Google's online users with selected Android phones. The online experience of the web store has been designed with a focus on simplicity.

Through the web store found at www.google.com/phone, consumers can buy the Nexus One without service (meaning any GSM network SIM card can be inserted into the device), or purchase the phone with service from one of Google's operator partners. As new phones come to market through this channel, consumers will benefit from the ability to match a phone of their choice with the service plan that best meets their needs. Operator prices and plan details will be featured on the site.

"The Nexus One belongs in the emerging class of devices which we call ‘superphones,’ with the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ chipset making it as powerful as your laptop computer of three to four years ago. It's our way to raise the bar on what's possible when it comes to creating the best mobile experience for consumers," said Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering. "We look forward to working with handset manufacturers and operators to bring more phones to market through this channel worldwide."
Nexus One Hardware Features
  • Display: 3.7" AMOLED 480x800 WVGA display
  • Thinness: 11.5mm; Weight: 130g
  • Processor/Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 3G QSD8250 chipset, delivering speeds up to 1GHz
  • Camera: 5 megapixel auto focus with flash and geo tagging
  • Onboard memory: 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
  • Expandable memory: 4GB removable SD Card (expandable to 32GB)
  • Noise Suppression: Dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc.
  • Ports: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with four contacts for inline voice and remote control
  • Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
  • Personalized laser engraving: Up to 50 characters on the back of the phone
  • Trackball: Tri-color notification LED, alerts when new emails, chats, text messages arrive
"The Nexus One represents the unique combination of design and innovation two companies like Google and HTC can have when they collaborate," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. "The Nexus One continues HTC’s strategy of offering people a portfolio of phones that meet their diverse needs."
Nexus One Software Innovation
The Nexus One runs on Android 2.1, a version of the platform's Eclair software, which offers advanced applications and features including:
  • Google Maps Navigation: offering turn-by-turn driving directions with voice output.
  • Email: multiple Gmail accounts; universal inbox and Exchange support.
  • Phone book: aggregate contacts from multiple sources, including Facebook®.
  • Quick Contacts: easily switch between communication and social applications.
  • Android Market: access to more than 18,000 applications.
In addition, the Nexus One introduces new functionality and software enhancements:
  • Enter text without typing.
  • Use a voice-enabled keyboard for all text fields: speak a text message, instant message, tweet, Facebook update, or complete an email.
  • Tell your phone what you want it to do.
  • Search Google, call contacts, or get driving directions by just speaking into your phone.
  • Take personalization to the next level.
  • Dynamic, interactive, live wallpapers react to the touch of a finger.
  • More widgets and five home screen panels allow for further device customization.
  • Capture camera-quality pictures and video with your device.
  • 5 megapixel camera includes LED flash, auto focus, zoom, white balance and color effects.
  • View pictures and Picasa Web Albums in the new 3D Gallery.
  • Record Hi-Res MPEG4 video, and then upload to YouTube with one click.
  • Read your voicemail messages.
  • Get transcribed voicemail with Google Voice integration, without changing your number.
Pricing, Availability, and Future Plans
Nexus One is initially available from the Google web store in the US without service for $529 or starting at $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile USA. In the near future, Verizon Wireless in the US and Vodafone in Europe plan to offer services to customers in their respective geographies. Today, consumers can go to www.google.com/phone to learn about the Nexus One and place an order. We will initially take orders from consumers in the US and three other markets – the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
In the coming months Google plans on partnering with additional operators, offering consumers access to a broad set of service plans. In the future we expect to launch more phones with Android handset partners and to expand the web store to more countries.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
Media Contact:
Google Press Center
press@google.com
+1.650.930.3555
For more information on the Nexus One, including images and video, please visit our press site: https://sites.google.com/a/pressatgoogle.com/nexusone/home

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Blocking of You Tube

Several countries have blocked access to YouTube since its inception, including the People's Republic of China, Morocco, and Thailand. YouTube is currently blocked in Turkey after controversy over videos deemed insulting to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Despite the block, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan admitted to journalists that he could access YouTube, since the site is still available in Turkey by using an open proxy.
On December 3, 2006, Iran temporarily blocked access to YouTube, along with several other sites, after declaring them as violating social and moral codes of conduct. The YouTube block came after a video was posted online that appeared to show an Iranian soap opera star having sex. The block was later lifted and then reinstated after Iran's 2009 presidential election.
On February 23, 2008, Pakistan blocked YouTube because of "offensive material" towards the Islamic faith, including display of the Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. This led to a near global blackout of the YouTube site for around two hours, as the Pakistani block was inadvertently transferred to other countries. Pakistan lifted its block on February 26, 2008. Many Pakistanis circumvented the three-day block by using virtual private network software.
On January 24, 2010, Libya blocked access to YouTube after it featured videos of demonstrations in the Libyan city of Benghazi by families of detainees who were killed in Abu Salim prison in 1996, and videos of family members of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi at parties. The blocking was criticized by Human Rights Watch.
Schools in some countries have blocked access to YouTube because of students uploading videos of bullying behavior, school fights, racist behavior, and other inappropriate content.

Source: Wikipedia

You Tube: It's History

YouTube was founded by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, who were all early employees of PayPal. Hurley studied design at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, while Chen and Karim studied computer science together at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
According to a story that has often been repeated in the media, Chad Hurley and Steve Chen developed the idea for YouTube during the early months of 2005, after they had experienced difficulty sharing videos that had been shot at a dinner party at Chen's apartment in San Francisco. Jawed Karim did not attend the party and denied that it had occurred, while Chad Hurley commented that the idea that YouTube was founded after a dinner party "was probably very strengthened by marketing ideas around creating a story that was very digestible."
YouTube began as a venture-funded technology startup, primarily from a US$11.5 million investment by Sequoia Capital between November 2005 and April 2006. YouTube's early headquarters were situated above a pizzeria and Japanese restaurant in San Mateo, California. The domain name www.youtube.com was activated on February 14, 2005, and the website was developed over the subsequent months. The first YouTube video was entitled Me at the zoo, and shows founder Jawed Karim at San Diego Zoo. The video was uploaded on April 23, 2005, and can still be viewed on the site.
YouTube offered the public a beta test of the site in May 2005, six months before the official launch in November 2005. The site grew rapidly, and in July 2006 the company announced that more than 65,000 new videos were being uploaded every day, and that the site was receiving 100 million video views per day. According to data published by market research company comScore, YouTube is the dominant provider of online video in the United States, with a market share of around 43 percent and more than six billion videos viewed in January 2009. It is estimated that 20 hours of new videos are uploaded to the site every minute, and that around three quarters of the material comes from outside the United States. It is also estimated that in 2007 YouTube consumed as much bandwidth as the entire Internet in 2000 In March 2008, YouTube's bandwidth costs were estimated at approximately US$1 million a day. Alexa ranks YouTube as the fourth most visited website on the Internet, behind Google, Yahoo! and Facebook.
The choice of the name www.youtube.com led to problems for a similarly named website, www.utube.com. The owner of the site, Universal Tube & Rollform Equipment, filed a lawsuit against YouTube in November 2006 after being overloaded on a regular basis by people looking for YouTube. Universal Tube has since changed the name of its website to www.utubeonline.com.[19][20]
In October 2006, Google Inc. announced that it had acquired YouTube for US$1.65 billion in Google stock, and the deal was finalized on November 13, 2006. Google does not provide detailed figures for YouTube's running costs, and YouTube's revenues in 2007 were noted as "not material" in a regulatory filing.[ In June 2008 a Forbes magazine article projected the 2008 revenue at US$200 million, noting progress in advertising sales.
In November 2008, YouTube reached an agreement with MGM, Lions Gate Entertainment and CBS, allowing the companies to post full-length films and television episodes on the site, accompanied by advertisements in a section for US viewers called "Shows". The move was intended to create competition with websites such as Hulu, which features material from NBC, Fox, and Disney. In November 2009, YouTube launched a version of "Shows" available to UK viewers, offering around 4000 full-length shows from more than 60 partners.
On October 9, 2009, the third anniversary of the acquisition by Google, Chad Hurley announced in a blog posting that YouTube was serving "well over a billion views a day" worldwide.
Starting in March 2010, YouTube will stream all 60 cricket matches of the Indian Premier League worldwide for free. Making it the world's first free online broadcast of a major sporting event.

Source: Wikipedia