Facebook rejected Google

Google Inc tried to partner with Facebook but was rejected, denying the search to the social network's trove of personal information, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said.

Schmidt did not specify which deal in particular he was referring but noted that Google's search could be improved with access to Facebook's data about Web surfers' friends and acquaintances.

"We tried very hard to become partner with Facebook," Schmidt said. "They were unwilling to do the deal," he added, noting that Facebook had traditionally partnered with Microsoft.

Schmidt, who was speaking at the D9 conference organized by the blog AllThingsD, also noted that Google had also recently renewed a partnership with Apple in which Google provides map technology featured in the iPhone.

A former Apple board member, Schmidt said their relationship had gotten "rough" as Google began to develop its Android smartphone operating system, although they remained good partners in certain businesses.

Schmidt, who ended his 10-year run as Google CEO in April and handed the reins to 38-year-old Google co-founder Larry Page, is among the more than a dozen tech industry executives slated to speak at the conference, taking place this week at an upscale resort in Southern California.

Among the other scheduled speakers are the chief executives of the Walt Disney Co, Hewlett-Packard, Twitter, Zynga, Groupon and Alibaba.

Delhi University launches Facebook page for students

With its helplines and open-days flooded with pre-admission queries, Delhi University today launched its Facebook page for students, giving them another avenue to sort out their questions, raise their grievances and offer suggestions.

At the first Open Day at the South campus, officials of the University were bombarded by a series of questions by curious students and concerned parents as they sought to clear their doubts about the new admission norms and other details and nuances of several courses.

Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh said at the institution's social networking profile, a link to which is available on the University's website, he will himself try to answer several of the queries posted by students.

Speaking to aspirants, the Vice Chancellor also advised them to opt for the subjects they actually have aptitude for rather than running after market trends.

"We are today launching our Facebook page, a dedicated email id is also in place. I'll do my best to personally answer several queries," he said.

The University officials said they are also making available the option of e-open days whereby presentations will be posted on the University website.

"We are also launching e-open days and e-brochures. This will help local students as they will not have to move around the city in the heat and also outstation students who can avail of the information benefits from their own cities," said Dean Students' Welfare J M Khurana.