Before the bell: Stock to open mixed

Europe's largest computer consultancy, Capgemini, announced today it would partner with Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) to help market Google Apps software package, a suite similar to Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Office suite but online. So far Google hadn't manage to diversify its income much beyond its core businesses of internet searches and advertising. Perhaps this could help. This could be a blow to Microsoft should Google manage to push its Google Apps enough.

Yahoo Inc (NASDAQ: YHOO), which recently had a management change and launched a strategic review, may not overhaul its business, according to the Wall Street Journal. Nearing his 100-day deadline, when new chief Yang is supposed to deliver a new strategic plan for the company, it seems now that no big strategic announcements are planned at the end of that period. Talks of outsourcing search-advertising activity have cooled and no significant layoffs are expected.

While AMD prepared to unveil its new chip today, Intel Corp. rival (NASDAQ: INTC) said Saturday that construction work is underway at its $2.5 billion chip manufacturing plant in China.

Private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts appears now willing to concede to certain condition on bank debt it needs to close $24 billion in financing to buy payment processing firm First Data (NYSE: FDC).

Utility Belt is examining not only Apple Inc.'s (NADSAQ: AAPL) new iPods, but also Hewlet-Packard's (NYSE: HPQ) new iPAQ phone, a RIM (NADSAQ: RIMM) BlackBerry competitor and the Blackbird, a luxury PC.

L'Oreal has launched legal action against eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY). Once again, another company sues the online auctioneer for not doing enough to combat the sale of counterfeits. Last year Louis Vuitton and Tiffany's (NYSE: TIF) launched similar suits. On its part, eBay says it acts once notified by firms of counterfeits.