Welcome to this morning’s edition of “First To Know,” a series in which we keep you in the know on what’s happening in the digital world. We’re keeping our eyes on three particular stories of interest today.
Google Testing Gmail-based Calling Service
Gmail users may soon be able to make phone calls from their inboxes, CNet has learned. Google is reportedly testing a new web-based VoIP client, which will allow users to place and receive calls via the Google Chat contacts widget on the lower left side of the Gmail page.
Google Finance Optimized for Mobile
Google has launched a new mobile-optimized edition of Google Finance for Android and iPhone device owners. The new design brings nearly all of the same functionality as the desktop browser version, allowing users to quickly tab through news and market information, as well as data about their portfolios.
Real-Time Phone-to-Console Gaming Coming to Windows 7
Greg Milligan, a mobility solutions manager at Microsoft Canada, revealed at Microsoft’s X’10 event in Toronto this week that real-time phone-to-console gaming over Wi-Fi is coming to the company’s Windows Phone 7 soon.
In addition, the company plans to release mini-games on the phone that will unlock functionality in console games, which will be priced in the $1.99 to $2.99 range [via rgb filter].
Further News
- Three teenagers, whose names all appeared on a “kill list” posted on Facebook, have been killed in the past 10 days in a southwestern Colombian town.
- Apple is preparing for the launch of iTV, the successor to Apple TV, according to multiple sources. The technology giant is reportedly in talks with News Corp. and other media conglomerates to bring $0.99 TV show rentals to iTunes.
- WikiLeaks has announced via Twitter that it will be releasing a leaked CIA paper sometime later today.
- Mozilla has released Firefox 4 Beta 4, which includes two interesting new features: Panorama (previously called Tab Candy) and Sync.
- Ad agency Wieden + Kennedy’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” TV spot for Old Spice was awarded this year’s Emmy for Outstanding Commercial.
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