Google Turns to Algorithm to Retain Employees

Streets renamed in honor of fallen revolutionaries via Map Maker

(NEWSER) - Defiant Syrians are winning a virtual battle over President Bashar al-Assad. They're eradicating the name Assad from streets and bridges, and renaming them in honor of fallen Syrian rebels—with the help of Google crowdsourcing program Map Maker . The map modifications are believed to be the first time a national movement has used such a technique to make a political point, say observers. Revolutionaries "have the right to be remembered by the Syrians,” said Rwadan Ziadeh of the Syrian National Council exile group. “They are making new history.” Earlier this week, Syria's UN envoy suddenly accused Google in the middle of a General Assembly speech of participating in a foreign plot to meddle in Syria’s internal affairs and undermine Assad, reports the Washington Post . More»

Too many supervisors don't listen to employees, survey finds

(NEWSER) - BusinessNewsDaily rounds up some stats from a new survey on how people feel about their bosses. It's not pretty, with the results suggesting that courtesy, honesty, and tact are in short supply in the glass offices. Some specifics:

• About half of people think they can do a better job than their boss.
• 35% say they their boss never or rarely listens to workplace gripes.
• 60% say their boss has damaged their self-esteem, maybe because ... one-third say their boss can't be calm or constructive when talking about problems.
• 40% have left a job because of a lousy boss.

But regulators in EU, United States will monitor for antitrust

(NEWSER) - Google's $12.5 billion takeover of Motorola Mobility Holdings, announced last August , finally cleared regulators in Europe and the United States yesterday, reports Reuters . But as Motorola owns so many patents that are vital to the telecommunications industry, regulators said they would monitor Google to ensure it continued to license that tech at fair prices. Google has said that a major reason for buying Motorola was to get its hands on Motorola's 17,000 patents and 7,500 patent applications. The deal is also Google's biggest venture into hardware yet. More»

Gizmos proliferate amid concerns on distracted driving

(NEWSER) - Imagine cruising down the highway at 65mph while checking tweets, buying movie tickets online, or booking reservations at a restaurant. This scenario is the not-too-distant future of driving, reports the Wall Street Journal , as auto manufacturers seek to design an innovative "connected car" full of Internet-accessible gadgetry. The push for a tech-infused car comes as a national push for rules banning phones in cars seems to be fizzling out and automakers look to entice the youth demographic. More»

Music gadget expected to mark start of new focus on hardware

(NEWSER) - Google has asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to start testing an "entertainment device," sparking speculation about what is expected to be the search giant's biggest step into creating hardware. The device, which will be tested in employees' homes this summer, is an entertainment system that can stream music wirelessly through homes, an insider tells the Wall Street Journal . It will have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and will "connect to other home electronics equipment," according to Google's FCC application. More»