"Verizon's timing was clearly intended to take wind out of Google's plans, " says Scott Ellison, vice president of mobile and wireless communications at market research firm IDC.

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He also admires the personalities who currently lead it: Larry Ellison of Oracle, Scott McNealy at SunMicrosystems and Apple's Steve Jobs.

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Like Oracle's Larry Ellison, Sun's boss, Scott McNealy, is ready to put his money where his not inconsiderable mouth is.

ECONOMIST: High-tech brands