Could Trial Reveal Google and Microsoft Financials?

By Alex Brokaw Nov 15, 2012 11:47 am

Plus, Nokia's new map platform proves to be competition for Google Maps, and more!

This column highlights the most interesting and useful news and commentary on Google every week.

“Microsoft and Google Financials Could Surface at Trial”
Financial information that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) usually keep behind closed doors may be revealed in a Seattle court. A trial began on Tuesday to determine how much Microsoft needs to pay Google for licenses to Motorola patents. Google acquired Motorola for $12.5 billion in 2011. While Motorola once demanded $4 billion for its patents, Microsoft is now arguing that it should only have to pay $1 billion. Read more at the Chicago Tribune.

“Google: Seriously, We’ve Improved Google TV"
On Wednesday, Google released a new and improved version of Google TV, a product that has, in the past, been heavily criticized by consumers and the tech community alike. The updated Google TV will host a bevy of new and retooled features including voice search, a retooled navigation screen, and enhanced mobile device sharing. Expect to see these features on Korean-manufactured LG (KRX:066570) TVs immediately, and on other Google-partnered products in a few months. Read more on CNET.

“Google Fiber Goes Live in First Kansas City Neighborhood”
Google Fiber, the search engine giant’s incredibly high-speed Internet service, went live on Tuesday in Kansas City. Google is beginning to connect the fiber optic network it announced four months ago in a few select locations in Kansas. Costing $70 per month, Google Fiber is unprecedented in offering 1 GB per second Internet and television services. Read more at The Verge.

“Are Google, Amazon, and Starbucks Cheating on UK Taxes?”
Legal loopholes have allowed Google, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) to report yearly losses on their UK tax forms, despite sales in the billions. Miffed members of British parliament questioned these companies at a hearing last week over decisions to locate their headquarters in EU countries with lower tax rates. Companies who set up shop in Europe have the option of establishing their headquarters in any one of the 27 EU member countries. Read more at care2.com.

“How Nokia Defies Google and Apple With Here Maps, Location”
Nokia (NYSE:NOK) has revealed its revamped location and mapping brand, called Here, which has combined Nokia’s location technology with Nokia-acquired-Navteq’s map-making savvy. The biggest news point was that Here will be available across all mobile platforms, including Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google Android, putting Nokia’s map service in direct competition with others. Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO), Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL), Bing, Flickr, and Amazon all already use Nokia maps. Read more at Forbes.

Twitter: @brokawbrokaw

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