Microsoft has started to run anti-Google newspaper ads in a clear effort to sway people from using Google’s services. On Monday, Google announced that it was combining its individual privacy policies to make privacy “more intuitive” for its users. The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee was worried that Google was actually collecting more information under its new rules, but Google responded to those claims and said it was not actually collecting more data. Microsoft isn’t convinced. “To be clear, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to improve the quality of an advertising product,” Microsoft said in a newspaper ad. “But, that effort needs to be balanced with continuing to meet the needs and interests of users. Every business finds its own balance and attracts users who share those priorities. Google’s new changes have upset that balance, with users’ priorities being de-prioritized. That’s why people are concerned and looking for alternatives… If these changes rub you the wrong way, please consider using our portfolio of award-winning products and services.” The ad also tells newspaper readers that “every data point Google collects and connects to you increases how valuable you are to an advertiser.” Microsoft is currently running the advertisements in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

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In tandem with its announcement that it will move to a paid subscription model for online content, The New York Times said Thursday that it will also begin to sell subscriptions for news content in its mobile apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. As per Apple’s iTunes App Store terms, The New York Times will also have to fork over 30% of the revenues from each subscription sold. Users will be able to access the “Top News” content for free, but will have to subscribe for access to other stories. Eileen Murphy, spokesperson for the Times, told AllThingsD that content will also be available for Android devices, as well as BlackBerry smartphones, although it will not be selling subscriptions through those app stores. As we reported earlier, those viewing The New York Times content will be able to read 20 articles at no charge, and subscription plans will range from $15 to $35. The $35 option provides all access to digital content, although we also found that print subscriptions, which include full digital access, may save users some money each month.

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Well, we might as well close the loop on this one. Last month, we told you how former HP CEO Mark Hurd was ousted by HP, complimented by Larry Ellison, and then hired by Oracle. We also told you how the Oracle hiring prompted a lawsuit from Mr. Hurd’s former employer. Now, the New York Times is reporting that the two sides have reached an agreement on the embattled executive’s future. In exchange for dropping the lawsuit, Hurd will forfeit nearly half of the $28 million compensation package he was given by HP. The former HP chief, and now Oracle President, will give up 330,177 shares of performance-based restricted stock and 15,853 shares of time-base restricted stock (that’s about $13.34 million using today’s stock price). Oracle and HP, who do quite a bit of business together, did their best to reassure stock holders that the two companies are on the mend. “Oracle and HP will continue to build and expand a partnership that has already lasted for over 25 years,” said Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. “HP and Oracle have been important partners for more than 20 years and are committed to working together to provide exceptional products and service to our customers,” said Cathie Lesjak, the CFO and interim CEO of HP. So ends this chapter of the Mark Hurd Chronicles.

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It seems like a fact. If you were to ask someone, even someone who isn’t really into technology, “who has the best cellular network in America,” 9 out of 10 times the response you would receive would be, “Verizon.” Between the “Map for That” commercials, AT&T’s CEO making ridiculous statements about people needing to use less data, and the rumor of tiered data plans to curb the usage of iPhone owners those who use their smartphone to its full potential, there isn’t really any reason to think that Verizon’s network isn’t superior to AT&T’s. However, the New York Times has data from several wireless networking companies that seem to go against what we assume to be a simple truth.

One of the companies, Global Wireless Solutions, “covered more than three million miles of roads this year, while running almost two million wireless data sessions and placing more than three million voice calls,” and after compiling all this data concluded that, “AT&T’s data throughput is 40 to 50 percent higher than the competition, including Verizon.” A second company, Root Wireless, “ran 4.7 million tests on smartphones for each of the four major carriers, spread across seven metropolitan areas: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles/Orange County, New York, Seattle/Tacoma, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington.”  Root Wireless came to the conclusion that, “in every market, AT&T had faster average download speeds and had signal strength of 75 percent or better more frequently than did Verizon.” Note that San Francisco and New York City are included in that list. Now, we’re thinking the same thing as you, where is the disconnect (pun intended)?

When Root’s Chief Technology Officer was asked why his company’s data goes against similar tests conducted by Consumer Reports, and others, his rational was rather shocking, the tests were done on devices other than the iPhone. The iPhone does not allow Root Wireless’ software to run in the background as is necessary, so other smartphones are used to conduct the tests. Roger Entner, a senior VP a Neilson Research, was quoted as saying, “the iPhone has the nimbus of infallibility, ergo, it’s AT&T’s fault,” however the air interface within the iPhone itself that controls both voice and data communication has, “serious shortcomings.” Is AT&T taking the heat for Apple? Who knows, both AT&T and Verizon aren’t publishing their internal data on network performance. For the time being, as Root Wireless’ CEO put it, consumers will continue to be, “buried under opinions and advertising slogans,” and for those of us who are affected, the calls will keep dropping.

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A day before the expected Wall Street Journal announcement, a carefully crafted New York Times article about the upcoming summer season of blockbuster phones suggests the Palm Pre will launch date some time during the first week of June — “a few days prior” to Apple’s WWDC opening day on June 8th. Sounds like that June 5th to 7th window is spot on… Anyone planning on crashing that weekend-long launch meeting?

Thanks, Chiitown!

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Good news push addicts, BlackBerry Web Signals has finally launched. First announced October 21 at the BlackBerry Developers Conference, Web Signals delivers customizable push content to BlackBerry handsets from a host of media outlets such as Accuweather, CBC News, FOX News, The New York Times and Reuters. Once signed up for a service, any relevant news is pushed to your device meaning you don’t have to go searching for the latest news thus saving not only time but precious, precious battery life as well.

To sign up for BlackBerry Web Signals visit mobile.blackberry.com on your BlackBerry.