Google to phase in offline access options for Docs April 1, 2008

 One of the most innovative additions that Google may be making to its applications suite would, in a bygone era, be one of the most basic features: the ability to save locally.

One of the factors that makes Web applications convenient is the fact that you’re almost always using the most currently tested version of the software. With Google Apps, the tradeoff has typically been that the user has to be online, which makes operation on a laptop while in the air somewhat inconvenient.

Over the next few weeks, we learned today, select Google Docs users who have downloaded Google Gears will be given access to updated code that enables the application to run offline. In this mode, documents can be saved locally within a temporary cache, which is then transferred to “the cloud” — Google’s servers — when the browser next connects to the Web.

While offline, a Google video today shows, the browser is still able to contact the locally stored, offline copy of the application via the URL docs.google.com. Normally, the application is continually reporting updates the user makes to an active document to Google in the background; but in the version that’s being phased in, while the browser is offline, the application will file updates locally.

“It’s all pretty seamless: I don’t have to remember to save my documents locally before packing my laptop for a trip,” writes Google software engineer Philip Tucker today. “I don’t have to remember to save my changes as soon as I get back online. And I don’t have to switch applications based on network connectivity. With the extra peace of mind, I can more fully rely on this tool for my important documents.”

Work on getting developers to use Google Gears to build offline-capable applications began last spring, but the company only began discussing integrating the feature into its own applications last December.

Intel closes deal to create new flash memory vendor April 1, 2008

Intel Corp., STMicroelectronics and investment firm Francisco Partners LP today closed a deal to create an independent flash memory chip business.Called Numonyx BV, the new Switzerland-based company will design, develop and manufacture nonvolatile NOR and NAND flash memory chips used for storing data in portable consumer devices, including cell phones, ultramobile PCs, digital cameras and MP3 music players, said Intel officials.

As part of the deal, Intel will transfer its NOR flash memory business and certain assets associated with the chip maker’s phase change memory technology for a 45.1% stake in the new firm. Additionally, about 2,500 Intel employees will join the company.

STMicroelectronics contributed its NOR and NAND flash memory assets, as well as its phase-change memory resources to gain a 48.6% share of the new firm. Francisco Partners invested $150 million in cash for the remaining 6.3% stake, Intel said.

Intel described phase-change memory as a new technology for creating chips with fast data read and write speeds that consume less power than conventional flash technology. Last month, Intel and STMicroelectronics began shipping prototype samples of a 128MB memory device, code-named Alverstone, which features phase-change memory technology.

Numonyx CEO Brian Harrison said today that the new company begins operations with annual revenue of approximately $3 billion. “It is rare when a company starts in such a strong position,” he said in statement.

The three partners announced plans last May to create the new firm. The effort was slowed about three months later when the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sought additional information for its review into the deal’s antitrust implications.

The Numonyx deal marks the latest effort by Intel to aggressively develop faster and improved flash memory technology to support increased demand for embedded storage devices. The company had earlier launched a joint effort with Micron Technology Inc. to develop new high-speed NAND flash memory technology.

Trump Allegedly Wants Spitzer’s Hooker on His Reality Show April 1, 2008

Donald Trump would like the hooker involved in the huge sex scandal that brought down New York’s governor Eliot Spitzer to join the cast of his brand new reality show.

“She is an interesting candidate, very interesting,” Trump said at the TV show’s finale party according to FOXnews.com.

The billionaire star of “The Apprentice” believes Ashley Alexander Dupre would be a perfect fit for “Lady or the Tramp”, his latest reality show which is quite similar with My Fair Lady. The show is being produced by Donald Trump Productions and was already picked by MTV for 8 episodes.

The show inspired by the U.K. show called “Ladette to Lady,” is about 15 “bad” girls are sent to a boarding school to be taught ladylike manners.

According to a source from the production site of the show, the group has already contacted Dupree for an eventual collaboration and is waiting for an answer.

“She’s the perfect candidate,” said a source inside the show for People.com about the 22-year-old Spitzer call-girl. Well, Dupree may be a perfect candidate, but one thing’s for sure: she doesn’t work cheap.

Mister Trump could not be reached for comment. He is most certainly keen for Heather Mills to judge his Miss USA pageant next week.

“I think she is very competent. She has $100 million in the bank. She has been through a lot, and I give her a lot of credit. An amazing amount of credit. And Heather Mills – how can you say anything bad about her?”