RANDOM TECH NEWS OF INTEREST

Just some of the news that peaked me interest today:

"Google Base begins to roll out the verticals"
Richard MacManus points out how it's more obvious now that Google is going after eBay. I almost heard the DeathStar music in the background, but that's still reserved for Microsoft.

"eBay buys stake in social networking firm"
eBay invested $2 million in social networking company Meetup.com, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Tuesday.

"Yahoo pressured over China cooperation"
Yahoo's long-running defense of its Chinese operations, which have been criticized for close cooperation with the country's police agencies, took an unusual twist this week in a confrontation at the company's headquarters.

"Umair, Jarvis, Disney, and Me"
Fred Wilson provides a summary of thoughts on Disney's recent move to provide some of their TV shows for free on the Internet. Especially from Jeff Jarvis and Umair Haque.