links for 2008-05-02

• O2 paves the way for iPhone relaunchThere were further indications today that O2 is ramping up for the release of a relaunched Apple iPhone, with news that it has extended the reach of its 3G coverage. Source: Guardian
• Ien Cheng leaves FT.com for Google jobIen Cheng, the most senior digital executive at the Financial Times, is leaving the company to take up an "unmissable" role at Google, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal. Source: Guardian
• Adobe opens up Flash on mobilesAdobe has announced a plan to try to get its Flash player installed on more mobile devices and set-top boxes. Source: BBC
• Michael Arrington at 100 in the Time 100The former "exceptionally average attorney" gets profiled by Ariana Huffington. Source: Time
• Microsoft leaning towards hostile Yahoo bidMicrosoft late Thursday was leaning toward going hostile in its pursuit of Yahoo, according to people familiar with the matter, with an announcement likely Friday. Source: Wall Street Journal
• Steve Ballmer tells Microsofties the Yahoo deal is in the works"Yahoo's not a strategy. It's a part of a strategy," says Microsoft's chief executive. Source: Silicon Alley Insider
• Yahoo may go for the Google deal as soon as Microsoft attacksYahoo could announce an agreement to carry search advertisements from Google within a week, as it braces for Microsoft to go hostile or abandon its unsolicited acquisition offer for Yahoo, say people familiar with the matter. Source: Wall Street Journal
• Digg moves to adopt DataPortability standardsThe DataPortability Project has gained another adherent in Digg, which announced on its blog today that it has implemented three under-the-hood enhancements. Source: TechCrunch
• News fiends can get their fix with AddictomaticRollyo founder Dave Pell is taking another stab at the search engine space with his just-launched news/media aggregator Addictomatic. Source: TechCrunch
• A widget that background checks plumbers, products and moreJS-Kit Advisor brings ratings and reviews from trusted sources such as Experian and JD Power to businesses and product listings across the web. Source: TechCrunch
• ABCe considers measuring web traffic from mobilesThe bureau will look at how metrics approved by Joint Industry Commission for Web Standards could be implemented to measure and report mobile traffic. Source: Journalism.co.uk
• GTA game smashes UK sales recordsCritically acclaimed video game Grand Theft Auto IV is on course to beat the record for highest first week sales of any video game in the UK. Source: BBC
• Hulu sets up YouTube channelHating your rival is part of the game, which is why it's hard to ignore the irony of a Hulu Channel on YouTube. Source: GigaOM
• MySpace begins charging for application promotionSome firms are paying between $50,000 and $100,000 a week to be a featured app on the site. Source: Social Times