The Wolfram Alpha ‘computational knowledge engine’ – apparently able to provide the answer to any factual question – is set to launch next week, on May 18. While some are claiming that the latest project from British computer scientist Stephen Wolfram (best known for creating the Mathematica computer language) is set to be a threat to the internet search giant Google. Others are dismissing such claims as so much gibberish, including Wolfram himself. Google and Wolfram Alpha serve different purposes, Wolfram told The Telegraph, adding, "I am not keen

Google CEO Eric Schmidt has insisted that YouTube will eventually become a ‘profitable and successful’ business, despite suggestions that it will lose hundreds of millions of dollars this year. Schmidt, who is currently the focus of the Federal Trade Commission over his role on the boards of both Apple and Google, would not comment directly on suggestions that YouTube was going to lose $400 million (£265m). However, the internet and advertising giant’s CEO insisted that Google could turn YouTube into a key asset. "What we said is we believe YouTube

Electronic Arts has appointed Google’s senior vice president of engineering Jeff Huber to its board of directors. Huber is responsible for technology development for Google’s company’s advertising systems including Adwords and Adsense, and for Google Apps. "We’re thrilled to have Jeff on our board," said John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts. "His proven track record in technology and engineering will make him a strong addition to the board." Huber has previously held management positions at eBay and Excite@Home. "EA has an

Microsoft today announced that its multi-image Photosynth technology is being integrated into Virtual Earth, offering a commercial rival to Google’s controversial Street View. From today, businesses will be able to create detailed, browsable 3D views of anything from places to products and from hotels to homes, and embed them with Microsoft’s Virtual Earth maps. Unlike Google Street View, Microsoft will not be taking pictures of properties and roads itself. Instead, it is relying on consumers and businesses to upload images and create the interactive

Google has revealed its Eurovision Song Contest application that purports to ‘allow internet users to track the chances of their local entry winning 2009′s competition’. Even without the inimitable Terry Wogan at the helm, TechRadar will probably be glued to the television for this year’s Eurovision song-contest, and it appears Google will be as well. The gadget at www.google.com/eurovision will allow users to ‘follow the rise and fall in popularity of online searches for different countries’ entrants, with a popularity timeline graph and a

Google has announced a deal with RIM to port its Mobile Search and Gmail apps onto the BlackBerry Enterprise Server platform. This means that corporate BlackBerrys (the ones you see stern looking people in suits peering at angrily on the train as they find out Clive from accounts has ONCE AGAIN dropped the ball on the Schulbecker deal) will be able to host Google’s favourite applications. As those of you who work in an office and have either got / have been denied a BlackBerry, the whole BES is heavily locked down, so introducing ‘legitimate’ Google apps is a