Facebook to Provide E-mail

According to the article "Facebook E-mail Service Challenges Google," Facebook is going to start providing its users with an email address.  While I think it is good that someone is challenging Google (they hold 20% of all email accounts and need someone to keep them on their toes), I really do not need another email account.  I already have own Gmail account, another account through paws, the account I created for this blog, and a state account through work.  While I realize that 4 accounts may not seem like a lot to some people, I hate having to keep track of all them.  So I am hoping that this email service through Facebook is something you can voluntarily sign up for and not something all users will automatically receive, as I already have enough email accounts.

Google Add another Service

According to the article Google Adds Offline Inventory Data to Product Search, Google is adding yet another feature in improve its search engine.  Google will now implement technology to search for "brick and mortar" companies.  We learned in class this means the company has both online and offline presence.  The search engine will now tell you what local store the product you are searching for can be found, as well as showing you where it can be found online.  This will definitely make Christmas shopping easier, especially for those who are not comfortable making purchases online  This feature will allow you to easily find a store close by to purchase the item.

India's Outsourcing Fears

The article "India Outsources Feel Unloved in the US" discusses issues facing India's large number of outsourcing companies.  The recent economic downturn in the US and increased fees for companies outsourcing outside of the US has decreased the number of IT outsourcing projects given to companies in India.  While these issues have decreased jobs in the past few years, it is expected that outsourcing to India will increase in the upcoming year as companies begin to start spending on IT again.
While one can see the benefits to companies in outsourcing, however companies should also consider how offshoring to a country like India will affect the US economy.  At what point does the government step in regulate how much a company should be allowed to offshore in an effort to help improve economic growth?