Cranking up its battle with arch-rival Microsoft, Google today said it has agreed to buy e-mail services company Postini for $625 million in cash.

It hasn't been the best week for AT&T. First, the company -- the exclusive wireless carrier for Apple's new iPhone -- wasn't able to activate service for some of the device's purchasers. AT&T eventually got people set up, but now faces another problem: "DVD Jon," the same software guru who figured out how to defeat DVD copying restrictions, also came up with a way to activate the iPhone's music, video and WiFi services without going through AT&T.

A leading consumer group in Europe has added its voice to the growing chorus of concern that the pending Google-DoubleClick merger will erode consumers' privacy.

With more and more content migrating online, broadband penetration is continuing to surge. Seven in 10 Americans who go online from home now connect via high-speed lines, according to a new report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Universal Music Group might not re-up with Apple's iTunes, according to press reports. Instead of signing another two-year contract allowing iTunes to sell Universal tracks for 99 cents each, the music company whose roster includes U2 and Amy Winehouse, apparently is mulling forging a shorter-term deal with Apple.