Could Microsoft, Google and eBay put Bell and the other big telephone companies out of business? - - Maybe. This article gives some insight into why that could be. Globetechnology: Microsoft as a telco?

In 2002, Sears bought Land's End in a reported attempt to upgrade its image and its slice of the upscale market in the online end of its business. Since then, it hasn't gone well, and there are thoughts among analysts that the reality is that the move downgraded the image of Land's End, causing a loss of as much as $1 billion to Sears. It's not over yet, and it's a problem for Sears. http://www.wisbusiness.com/printerfriendly.iml?Article=43392

AOL has been around for years, and some would say is a remnant of the early days of the internet when there was a perception of a need for guided tours and controlled environments for internet users. However, it has struggled along. Time-Warner, its current owner, is still trying to figure out what its strategy should be. It's a tough question. AOL: In Search of a New Strategy - Knowledge@Wharton

A new initiative by the US Federal Government is intended to get universities and others to revamp their systems so that all internet activity can be monitored. The way it would work is that all outgoing message packets would be gathered before reaching the internet and sent off to a government database for monitoring. The universities are protesting the move because of the cost. The bigger issue, however, is one of civil liberties. This could be the Orwellian Big Brother of the information age. And given that one of the prime objectives of any terrorist group is to force the target government to adopt unpopular and repressive measures, thus undermining its stability, it could be playing into the hands of the terrorists. Colleges Protest Call to Upgrade Online Systems - New York Times

Podcasting is being used by MovieTickets.com to preview movies. This is an interesting commercial application of Podcasting, and will surely be part of a long line of other commercial applications. InformationWeek > Online Video > MovieTickets.com Launches Podcasting Feature > October 20, 2005

Acer has developed a laptop that includes a VOIP phone. Another example of technological convergence, something we will see more of in the communications area. Acer laptop includes VoIP phone inside - Computerworld

Research in Motion has achieved a major coup by striking a deal with palm to have the RIM software used in the palm Treo. Both the Blackberry and the Palm are very popular and combining their forces in this way will be a benefit to both companies. The Globe and Mail: Palm to use RIM software on Treo

In a significant move to strengthen the security of its Paypal payment system, eBay has announced the pending acquisition of Verisign's payment gateway business and the formation of a strategic alliance with Verisign. eBaqy had already taken measures to beef up the security of Paypal, but this is a large step that will have a strong effect on security, but also allow more options to be offered to customers.BetaNews | eBay Acquires VeriSign Payment System

Traditional telephone companies are facing a challenge from technology, particularly the internet, of epic proportions. Competition is about to get brutal and business models will have to be revisited - and changed. The Globe and Mail: The battle for your home phone

Research in Motion has lost its appeal to the US Court of Appeals for a re-hearing of the patent infringement case it lost last year. It means that RIM may not be able to continue selling its popular Blackberry in the US market. At issue is the old spectre of extraterritoriality - specifically the reach of US patent law. During the latest appeal, The Canadian government filed an amicus curia brief, but the US courts have consistently found against the Waterloo based company. The Globe and Mail: RIM faces loss of U.S. market for BlackBerry

iPods that play video? It looks like they are on the way. Apple Stirs Product Speculation over Oct 12 Event

Travel agencies have been a type of business that has run the risk of being disintermediated by the march of the internet, and the opportunity it provides for travellers to book their own travel requirements online. The agencies have had to reinvent their business model as a result, trying to find new ways to add value. As with many other types of business under similar pressure, the answer lies in part in embracing technology, not trying to fight it. In the case of Bestattravel.com, this is at the root of their new approach. BestAtTravel: Transforming a Travel Agency with Leading-Edge Technology

Cell phones have been touted as a payment system for some time. However, the idea and the actual practice is much more advanced in Europe and Asia than it is in North America. Some, however, are trying to change that. Use Your Cell Phone Instead of Your Credit Card - Yahoo! News

The long term strategy of Google is keeping everyone guessing. Are they trying to build an internet megalith that can rival Microsoft? Or do they have more modest goals? One thing is sure - if the past is any indication, their goals are not modest by any reasonable standard. CNN.com - Where might Google go next? - Oct 3, 2005

Coming up with a governance system for the internet that is not so dependent on US government control has been an objective of various stakeholders around the globe for several years. A major initiative in this matter was the creation of the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) which issued its report in July '05. The report identifies a number of areas that require improvement, such as spam control and privacy in the WHOIS databases. Although the report is an important step forward, The controversy is ongoing. Working Group on Internet Governance