Popular tech blogger and Business 2.0 senior editor Om Malik was "punked" when tech gossip blog ValleyWag leaked a memo from editor Josh Quittner that announced Malik's plans to accept seed money to turn "his mega-popular blog, gigaom.com, into a real business."

The leak trumped Malik's own end-of-month timeframe for the announcement. Om, on GigaOM: "What do you do, when all your life you have chased scoops, and then got scooped on your own news? You tip the hat to the person who beat you to your own story."

Malik's post goes on to explain why, at this time, he plans to strike out on his own: "I have written about start-ups for so long, and have always wanted to see if I had the chops to build something from scratch. With well wishes and support of my community, I hope I can.

"The other reason is the fundamental change in the media consumption patterns. In the past, I worked for Forbes.com, arguably one of the more successful media properties on the web, and learnt some vital lessons about online media. From the mid-1990s to today, we have seen some stellar brands emerge such as News.com. They are living proof that large online media properties are a viable business.

"And just as Internet spawned these brands, broadband is bringing about a fundamental change in the way people consume information. Blogs are a part of it, just like video sharing sites, or Digg.com or Newsvine. You have mash-ups and maps. You have open APIs to play around with. In other words, the entire ecosystem is going through a change. This change represents opportunity."

He will contiune on at Business 2.0 as a contributing edtior with a new monthly column starting In September.

Microsoft uber-blogger Robert Scoble announced on his blog late Saturday night that he is leaving Microsoft to join Silicon Valley-based Podtech.net as a videoblogger. His official title: vice-president of content - he'll be in charge of creating interview shows for web-based broadcasting.

To dispel any rumors that the split was acrimonious, Scoble wrote: "First, I love Microsoft and Microsoft did not lose me — at least as a supporter and friend. I am not throwing away my Tablet PC or my Xbox or my other Microsoft stuff. :-)"

Robert's wife, Maryam, will join him at Podtech.net. Maryam currently blogs on a variety of subjects including movies and books, and will host her own podcasts.

Terry Heaton's take on it: "Anytime somebody of Scoble's stature moves from big guy to little guy, there's much more unsaid than said. This is a staggering loss for Microsoft, but for Scoble to leave to explore options as a video blogger ought to get the attention of the broadcasting community. If the Personal Media Revolution didn't have a spokesperson before, it certainly has one now. It will be fascinating to watch what happens..."