Chrome Now Second Most Used Browser Worldwide; LinkedIn Launches in Three New Languages

Every week, Mountain View makes news with technology developments, discoveries and sometimes controversies.

In the weekly “Bits and Bytes” column we’ll relay the past week’s news highlights from our backyard giants, start-ups and small businesses alike.

The battle of the web browsers continues, and Google is ahead. For the first time, Google Chrome usage worldwide has surpassed Firefox usage. In November, Chrome’s share of the worldwide market reached 25.69 percent, an increase of 4.66 percent a year earlier, according to Internet metrics company StatCounter.

LinkedIn continues around the world. It just launched in three new languages: Indonesian, Malaysian, and Korean. That brings the total number of languages the 135-million member website is available in to 14.

Google is in talks with retail giants such as Macy’s, Gap Inc., and OfficeMax to set up an online shopping service with same-day delivery. Some are speculating that this could pack a punch to competitor Amazon.com.

The Department of Defense selected Mountain View’s own Cogenra Solar for its Installation Energy Test Bed initiative. The DoD selected their “hybrid solar solution” as one of the 27 projects (from 575 proposals) to receive a $2 million proposal for two military sites. The installations will produce hot water and electricity, and be evaluated throughout the year on their cost effectiveness and energy yield.

Three of the nation’s four largest wireless carriers say that they use Carrier IQ’s key-logging software, but say that they don’t use it to monitor users’ activity, for which the Mountain View company has generated controversy. Rather, says user AT&T, its a tool to "improve wireless network and service performance."

Start-up PayNearMe has rounded up about $23 million in venture capital. It’s audience? The roughly $60 million Americans who don’t have bank accounts or debit cards, but want to make online transactions (such as purchasing bus tickets) online. They then print out their transactions, and pay for them offline at venues such as 7Eleven with cash.