U.S. Justice Dept probing Google/ITA deal: sources

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department is looking into allegations that Google Inc's purchase of airline ticketing firm ITA Software Inc will cost rivals access to data they need to compete with the search giant as it moves into the travel market, sources familiar with the probe said.

Google to start TV service in U.S. this autumn

BERLIN (Reuters) - Google Inc will launch its service to bring the Web to TV screens in the United States this autumn and worldwide next year, its chief executive said, as it extends its reach from the desktop to the living room.

Craigslist.com blocks access to adult services ads

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Craigslist.com has dropped its "adult services" listings, which have become the target of U.S. state attorneys general who say the much-visited online classified ad site is not doing enough to quash prostitution.

Google faces Texas AG inquiry, settles privacy suit

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc said on Friday it was the target of an investigation by the Texas Attorney General's office into the fairness of its search engine rankings.

Jordanian websites shift political dissent online

AMMAN (Reuters) - Mocking officials online, exposing high-level corruption and discussing political tension could land journalists in many autocratic Middle East states in jail.

Egypt's political battle lines drawn on the web

CAIRO (Reuters) - A web page casting doubt on the religious credentials of the family of Egyptian presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei has become the latest focus of an online battle for votes.

Apple and Google to clash in music space by Christmas

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc is in talks with music labels on plans for a download store and a digital song locker that would allow its mobile users to play songs wherever they are as it steps up its rivalry with Apple Inc, according to people familiar with the matter.

U.S. delays Web traffic rules by seeking more comment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. communications regulators on Wednesday put off a controversial decision on Internet traffic rules, giving industry and consumer groups a chance to forge a compromise while avoiding a politically sensitive issue ahead of the November elections.

Gameworld: Tween players impacting online game development

BURBANK, California (Reuters) - A booming market of tweens is changing the landscape of online games.

Apple TV a first step for more ambitious plans?

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Critics hoping for more from Apple Inc's Web-to-TV plans -- a device, say, that would revolutionize living room entertainment the way the iPad changed tablet computing -- may just need to wait a bit longer.

AOL renews Google search agreement

NEW YORK (Reuters) - AOL Inc said on Thursday it has renewed a search agreement with Google Inc, further cementing a decade-long partnership as AOL tries to turn around its business.

Apple TV takes aim at Web-connected living room

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc unveiled a smaller, cheaper version of its Web-to-TV device on Wednesday, stepping up a battle with Google Inc and Microsoft Corp for control of the digital living room.

Baidu to focus mobile Internet investment on search

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Baidu Inc, operator of China's dominant search engine, said on Thursday that it will focus its future mobile Internet investments on its core search business as it takes aim at the next big Internet space.

Nokia to close down data access service Ovi Files

BERLIN (Reuters) - Nokia has decided to close down its Ovi Files service which allows consumers to access their computer data remotely, the world's top cellphone maker said in an e-mail to users of the service.

Factbox: Apple TV versus Google TV

(Reuters) - Apple Inc unveiled its new Apple TV on Wednesday, setting it up to compete with Google Inc's soon-to-be released Google TV. Here's a look at how they compare:

ASCAP flips switch on free app

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Performing rights organization ASCAP launched a free app for Apple's portable devices Wednesday, allowing its member songwriters and publishers to access their catalog, performance and royalty information.

Mother of young Syrian blogger appeals for her release

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - The mother of a 19-year-old female Syrian blogger who was arrested last year has appealed to President Bashar al-Assad for her release, saying her daughter does not understand anything about politics.

India to target Google and Skype for data access

NEW DELHI/TORONTO (Reuters) - India added Google and Skype to its electronic security crackdown on Wednesday and began accessing some of the traffic carried on its initial target, Research In Motion's BlackBerry.

Target stores to sell Facebook gift cards

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Social networking website Facebook is dipping into the brick-and-mortar world by selling gift cards at retailer Target that can be used toward purchasing virtual products for games hosted on the site.

"Robot Chicken" duo in Web reality experiment

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Robot Chicken" creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich are launching an online reality experiment in which viewers decide every major decision a person makes for six weeks.