A roundup of headlines and news items catching our attention as the day winds down …
Microsoft today announced a new three-year program to bring software, hardware and discounted broadband to 1 million children from low-income families in the United States.
An extension of an existing Microsoft initiative called Shape the Future, it was announced at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York. Also check out this Microsoft infographic detailing the challenge of “digital exclusion.”
No more invites needed for Google+: The search giant today announced plans to end the invite system for Google+, effectively opening the social network up to anyone. New features include a tool for searching Google+.
Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt will appear before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to answer antitrust questions. The Washington Post has a good preview.
Glam Media is acquiring Ning, the platform for creating social networking websites. Purchase price: $200 million, according to AllThingsD’s Kara Swisher.
T-Mobile is hoping to win more customers with an across-the-board smartphone sale this Saturday, Sept. 24, dubbed the “Yes, Every Smartphone Is on Sale, Sale.”
Here’s a great (and free) event for film buffs and science geeks in Seattle this Thursday evening, from the Northwest Science Writers Association. Film expert and interviewer Warren Etheredge will moderate a discussion with Ann Marie Kimball, UW professor of epidemiology; and David Sherman, Seattle Biomed researcher on tuberculosis, about the validity of science behind the film Contagion, an Oscar favorite. Details and RSVP here.
