Bing, for some reason, has a different look for its search results when you switch to the US version. It has a more ‘Metro’ look with plenty of whitespace and not that horrible gradient at the top – like every other international version of the search engine. Well, now, it’s getting some new things – and like usual, will only be available to the United States.
It’s nearing the end of the very first decade of the new millennium, and of course the year. And this is typically the time where the search engines release the top yearly trends that its visitors typed into their search boxes, collated in a pretty web page for us to examine the year that was. And of course, Google starts the list.
Yahoo has said today that it will start its transition to Microsoft’s Bing, a deal that was struck last year after a two-year on-and-off discussion of a tie-up, with the first two countries to use Bing’s search technology and not in-house will be the US and Canada.
Google has finally released into the wild its upgrade to its web indexing technology – Caffeine – today, allowing users to search relevant content (i.e. news story, blog posts) to a specific query much faster than before, rather than a list that is periodically updated as it would index the entire web before updating the index.
Apple is currently in talks with rival Microsoft to replace Google with Bing as its default search engine on the iPhone, according to two sources talking to BusinessWeek. The deal could also see a small dent to Google’s profits from mobile search, as it currently makes money from showing advertising. However, in order for Microsoft to take over from Google, as BusinessWeek notes, it would have to give Apple more money than what Google pays.
Last night, we reported on Yahoo’s top searches; and now, its Google’s turn. Google has brought out its search data and compiled the “fastest rising” searches for this year, and are very different to what Yahoo users were searching. Topping the global scale was, obviously, Michael Jackson; while social networking sites Facebook, Tuenti and Twitter placed second, third and forth respectively. Rounding out the top five was the search term “sanalika”.
It’s December, and its the time where the search engines release their top 10 searches of the year. Yahoo has today released the top searches on their search engine, which is set to be replaced with Bing soon, and there may be surprises – but many of them are not so surprising. Pop culture dominated the searches this year, as Michael Jackson topped the list after his death caused an internet frenzy in finding the latest information.
Google has been testing a brand new design for its search engine, which some users have been able to access (either via Google’s random selection or using a piece of JavaScript). The new design, which looks like it has been inspired by Google Wave, still includes the suggested search terms and the two familiar buttons; but the colours are lighter and that there is a gradient on the buttons.
After speculation of the future of Microsoft and Yahoo talks, both parties have announced that they have forged a new agreement that will see Microsoft’s new Bing search engine powering Yahoo, while Microsoft will hand off search advertising to Yahoo.
It looks like Microsoft’s renamed Windows Live Search, Bing, is not a joke after all, as StatCounter has recorded that on June 4, the website managed to beat Yahoo, by taking some of the market share from Google – which is a big deal, as Google typically ranges above the 80 percent mark.
After a delayed launch because of problems, Wolfram Alpha has now appeared to many – therefore technically launched. The new search engine has been called the Google competitor, which I refuse to call it because it uses Google under its “Search the Web” feature, but it isn’t. It’s so much more.
Britney Spears has made it to the top of the list of Yahoo’s top searches in 2008, mirroring her success of being the top search query in 2007 as well. Following her was WWE, with Barack Obama placed third. Disney’s star Miley Cyrus placed fourth, while RuneScape placed fifth. Jessica Alba placed sixth, while anime Naruto made seventh place, Lindsay Lohan made eighth place and Angelina Jolie placed ninth. Finishing the top 10 list was American Idol (placed 10th).
According to the UK’s Sunday Times, Microsoft is reported to have started talks with Yahoo to acquire Yahoo’s search business for US$20 billion – proving once again, Microsoft cannot stay away from Yahoo. However, senior directors at both companies have not guaranteed that it will be a success.
After the EU triggered a probe into Google’s handling about personal information, it has now set it’s sights at the others. This probe will effect Windows Live, Yahoo and Ask.com, but may include smaller search engines like Snap.com.
If you haven’t noticed it, Google.com has had a small redesign. No more are the little names above the search box, they are all at the top. Plus, the ‘More’ Tab now reveals most of their services, YouTube is not listed; and the blue top thing with your search query has been replaced with a gradient of white and grey. It’s really annoying, but also it’s no longer the usual blue. It’s just, well, weird that Google changed their colours.