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COMPUTERS
Dell Accounting Probe Delays Earnings Report
Dell delayed filing its second-quarter financial report and suspended its share-repurchase program because of questions raised by an informal Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into accounting issues and a subsequent internal probe. The company also said documents were subpoenaed related to its financial reporting from 2002 to the present. Dell said investigations have shown that the company might have misstated earlier financial reports, which may affect previously reported earnings.
INTERNET
Microsoft Launches Updated Search Engine
Microsoft plans today to launch its updated and renamed Internet search engine, Windows Live Search. The search engine had previously been available in test form and is the successor to MSN Search, which ranks a distant third in U.S. popularity after Yahoo and Google. The release is part of Microsoft's push to offer a number of free, Web-based services under its new Live brand name.
AOL Adds Insurance Coverage for Subscribers
AOL of Dulles plans to offer free insurance coverage for identity theft and computer damage as premium security offerings for its dwindling base of paying subscribers. The move follows last month's decision to give away AOL.com e-mail accounts, software and other features. The insurance is limited to subscribers under the $26-a-month unlimited access and $10-a-month broadband plans. The policies pledge up to $10,000 to help restore a user's identity and credit, and covers up to $1,000 to repair or replace computers that suffer physical damage.
Yahoo Adds Advice Blog to Finance Site
Yahoo enhanced its finance site with a Web log that compiles posts from portfolio managers, hedge fund managers and other finance professionals. Starting today, users looking up stocks on the site will have access to analysis submitted by more than 200 finance experts posted by Seeking Alpha, a publisher of stock market opinion and analysis. Yahoo is making the change to help counter Google, which has links to Web logs on its Google Finance Web site.
MEDIA
Nielsen Considers Measuring Radio Audiences
Nielsen Media Research, whose ratings help set the price of television advertising, is considering measuring radio audiences. A Nielsen electronic measuring system would be a threat to Arbitron, which is the sole supplier of radio ratings and uses listener diaries. Arbitron has been testing an electronic system because advertisers think it would be a more accurate way to gauge audiences. At stake: $20 billion in radio advertising.
Compiled from reports by the Associated Press and Bloomberg News.
