Om Malik argues that Skype's present leadership doesn't know to leverage its own platform, because it doesn't understand developers. The most recent example of this, according to Malik, is Skype's decision to scrap its "Extras" API-based effort, which launched in June 2007. Extras, so-called, are third-party applications -- or plug-ins -- that can be added on to leverage the Skype network. Skylook, for example, combines Skype with Outlook. What motivated the move? "Not enough people were using (Extras) to justify our continued support of the Extras program," says Skype. According to Malik, the platform was promoted enough. And now, "if …

Think Microsoft's partnership with Yahoo is a done deal? Think again. Expanding its review of the agreement further, the companies have now been asked by the U.S. Justice Department for more details on the proposed Internet-search partnership. According to Bloomberg, the request means regulators will do a more extensive examination, rather than approve the deal immediately. Microsoft, for its part, says it predicted an in-depth review when the partnership was first announced back in July. During the review, the companies reportedly expect to be asked about their search-engine investments, ad pricing and product plans. The agency's decision has the potential …

In yet another effort to appease publishers, authors, and foreign bureaucrats, Google now promises to let its rivals sell access to digital copies of the millions of out-of-print books it has already amassed. At least one rival, Amazon, says it's not happy with the offer. If approved, Google's pending settlement with authors and publishers would give it the rights to digitally distribute some works.

Yeah, about Google spreading itself too thin? The search (and only search) leader is getting into the solar technology business, boldly claiming that it can cut the cost of your average solar plant in half in less than two-to-three years. Now, we're not saying that Google can't solve all the world's problems -- particularly if it is committed to spending tens of millions of dollars every year on each one. And, of course, we'd like it to. It just strikes one as presumptuous that a company good at one thing thinks it will be good at anything and everything.

Josh Cohen, senior business product manager of Google News, implores publishers not to lose site of the product experience, the power of discoverability, and the fact that its aggregation service adds value to publishers. He also admits that Google has a long way to go on the social side of things, and implies that the company's image as the Web's gatekeeper can make it a scapegoat for any company or industry that has been adversely affected by the Internet.

Streaming radio site Pandora just released its application for phones running Google's Android software, and is available for download in the Android Market. Now available on the iPhone, BlackBerry and Palm Pre, Pandora sees the future and it's mobile. Indeed, most of Pandora's new listeners are listening on their phones, either on the go or -- of particular note -- by plugging the devices into home and car speakers. What's more, of the 65,000 people who register for a Pandora account each day, 45,000 do so on mobile phones, the company founder Tim Westergren tells The Times.

The White House is expected to name a cyber security coordinator in the next 14 days -- and it will most likely be Frank Kramer, an assistant Defense secretary under President Bill Clinton -- an unnamed source tells Reuters. This follows the August resignation of Melissa Hathaway, a member of the (W) Bush administration who had led a 60-day White House review of cyber policies. Hathaway was reportedly frustrated over the Obama administration's delays in filling the post. As has been previously reported, the Pentagon is considering creating a command dedicated to cyberspace, under the auspices of U.S. Strategic Command.

Ever heard of Clever Commute? It's a growing Internet service that relies on its members to e-mail one another about train delays and so forth. Developed in 2006 by a local bridge-and-tunnel commuter, the service is now going national in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C, and is expanding to include buses, ferries, subways and some highways.

Like fate itself, a slight shift in Google's direction can impact the fortunes of entire industries. The newspaper industry could now find itself on the right side of that equation as Google is said to be developing a micro-payment platform that will be "available to both Google and non-Google properties within the next year," according to a document the company submitted to the Newspaper Association of America. An extension of Google Checkout -- which it says can already process subscription payments for news sites -- the system could potentially be the answer to the news industry's prayers …

With its culture of innovation, continued market dominance, and legendary perks, Google is often portrayed as the top employer in America. Yet, in an uncertain business climate, the search giant has recently experienced its fair share of defections and executive turnover. Just this week, Michael Rubenstein, who joined Google when it acquired DoubleClick in 2008, left the company "to pursue another opportunity," as Media Memo reports. At DoubleClick and then Google, Rubenstein was in charge of building an ad exchange, which has yet to officially launch as initial excitement over such a product fades. Rubenstein's departure follows former DoubleClick CEO …