Google today announced a new strategic initiative to develop electricity from renewable energy sources that will be cheaper than electricity produced from coal. The newly created initiative, known as REC, will focus initially on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies. REC is hiring engineers and energy experts to lead its research and development work, which will begin with a significant effort on solar thermal technology, and will also investigate enhanced geothermal systems and other areas. In 2008, Google expects to spend tens of millions on research and development and related investments in renewable energy. As part of its capital planning process, the company also anticipates investing hundreds of millions of dollars in breakthrough renewable energy projects which generate positive returns.

According to an exclusive special report now available from TelecomWeb, Google’s recently announced “Android” is “just another mobile Linux,” rather than any real technical innovation: i.e., no more than a convenient way for the company to pursue its real goal – to create an advertising delivery system it can control rather than innovating in telecommunications.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced the Android Developer Challenge, which will provide $10 million to developers who build mobile applications for Android™, the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. The Challenge is designed to support the developer community and spark innovation on the Android platform by awarding cash prizes ranging from $25,000 to $275,000 to developers whose applications are picked by a panel of judges.

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that George Reyes has informed the company of his intention to retire as Chief Financial Officer. Reyes indicated that he will remain to assist in the search for a new CFO and to assure an orderly transition, which Google expects will occur by the end of the year.

Idea Labz, Inc. a next generation internet incubation company today announced the launch of SearchBoth.com; the nation's first website that enables users to search both Google.com and Yahoo.com at the same.

Local search sites have been in the consumer crosshairs for some time for annoying searchers with poor search results; often providing businesses miles away or unrelated ads on the million-to-one chance you'll need a mortgage or cheap toner supplies. The public is fed up and wants reform.