SAP goes all out against Google's game changing Wave

SAP is planning to release a decision-making tool dubbed Constellation that could be a rival to Google's Wave collaboration platform. Constellation will consist of a cloud-based tool accessible via a Web browser, as well as an on-premises component, according to an SAP official. The cloud tool is now in private beta under the code name 12Sprints. The tool allows users to collaborate in real time on problem-solving activities using widgets for cataloging the pros and cons of a scenario, or for conducting analyses using the SWOT methodology for identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.Meanwhile, Constellation's on-premises component will let users tap securely into their company's various data stores.

Facebook will soon make major changes to its social networking site’s privacy settings to make it easier for users to know what personal information and photographs they're sharing. The site will also lose the "regional networks" feature that allows people to share profile data with other people who live in the same area. The data is available to complete strangers – millions of them in some cases -- unless a user makes specific changes to their privacy settings. Facebook also plans to add the ability to administer access for each piece of content posted to the site, a feature CEO Zuckerberg said has been requested by users.

Google is changing how it grants access to news stories through its search engine, giving publishers more control over how much of their content people can see for free. The move by Google marks a step toward placating the publishing industry, which has raised concerns that the popular search engine has undermined its revenues. Under the new system, people will be able to obtain free access to participating sites' premium content via Google a maximum of five times a day. The changes apply to searches done through both Google News and its regular Web search.

China and Taiwan have agreed to promote the EPUB digital book format for the Chinese-language market, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the markets for e-book and e-reader markets. The Chinese are avid readers and publishers will have to use the open standard EPUB format for materials they hope to sell in the market of 1.3 billion people. People in Taiwan also enjoy reading, and companies on the island are leading the charge to build e-readers. The move could ultimately disadvantage Amazon, which uses a proprietary file format in its Kindle e-readers.

And those are the top stories from the IDG Global IT News Update, brought to you by the IDG News Service. I’m Peter Sayer in Paris. Join us again later for more news from the world of technology.