AdSense On Google Earth
Google has introduced advertising for the first time in its desktop application. The company of late has also emphasized geo-targeted advertising on Google Maps also. Till now the only revenue source for Google Earth was through charging few companies on ads such as billboards on roofs etc. The inclusion of AdSense in desktop applications could lead to an increase in ad supported free desktop applications. (Read more at paidContent)
Idea Cellular has launched its GSM mobile service in 13 districts of Assam which now gives Idea presence in 21 telecom circles. The company plans to invest Rs 200 crore in the current year and total of Rs 300 crore in the first 3 years. According to the company Meghalaya would be the next state where their service will be launched followed by other North East states. (Read more at Business Standard)
CarWale.com Expects 100 Percent Revenue Growth; Mobile Site
Auto portal CarWale.com expects a 100 percent revenue growth over last year and to reach break even in Q3 of FY10. CarWale claims that three car manufacturers spend around 30-50 percent of their online budjet on the site. It has plans to launch its mobile site in December 2009. Due to the investments made this year the company expecst a loss but sees itself making profit in the year 2010. (Read more at E4M)
Prem Paniker To Leave Rediff
Prem Panicker, Editorial Director of the Rediff’s US-based newspaper “India Abroad“, is set to leave the company and is expected to join Yahoo India as Managing Editor. Paniker has been with Rediff for 14 years and prior to that he Senior Editor for Sunday Observer. Rediff had taken a major write-down on India Abroad a couple of quarters ago. MediaNama contacted Rediff, which declined to comment on whether Panicker had resigned. Yahoo India doesn’t appear to have a designated spokesperson for the time being. (Read more at contentSutra)
LinkedIn Opens Platform
LinkedIn has announced that it will be opening up its APIs for developers so that applications can be built around it. According to the LinkedIn blog “APIs will allow you to literally take your professional network with you.” Twitter client TweetDeck will be the first to lauch LinkedIn integration.
Troubled Times for Vodafone In India
Business Week has reported that Vodafone Essar though might be adding upto 2 million users every month, is losing on revenue due to the on-going price wars due to which ARPU as reported by the company in November has fallen from from Rs. 247 to Rs. 222. The company is also fighting against a potential $2 billion tax being claimed by India on the Vodafone – Hutchison deal in 2007.
Google To Acquire Teracent
Google has announced in its official blog yet another acquisition after AdMob in the digital advertising space. The company is set to acquire Teracent by the end of this quarter. What Teracent, does is customize elements of the ads, in real time, tweaking images, products, messages or colors ,taking into consideartion factors like the content of the website, the time of day or the past performance of different ads.
