Industry News

PC's now the entertainment 'hub of the home'
Gone are the days when PC's were viewed as a tool for writing letters and account-keeping, they're now being increasingly viewed as an entertainment device

Google adds gagging clause to Adsense
Google has added a gagging order to its Adsense Terms and Conditions in an attempt to quell a firestorm of controversy over payouts to participants. [The Register]

ICANN demand sees VeriSign pull SiteFinder
VeriSign has pulled its controversial SiteFinder application after ICANN demanded in a formal statement and letter that the company shut it down by Saturday or face the consequences. [The Register]

Dogpile Toolbar
The metasearch Dogpile launches its browser toolbar today. The toolbar includes a news ticker from ABC News, a pop-up blocker and a cursor search that works by highlighting key words on the page and selecting a right click option.

Internet Explorer Changes
Microsoft has set out the changes that it will make to Internet Explorer following a ruling that the Web browser infringes a patent on a technology that allows Web authors to embed and automatically trigger interactive content. [PC Pro ]

Google Counter
Google has been testing a search counter. The test has been restricted to a few groups of people, the usual approach for the search engine giant, but is expected to appear to the wider public if the tests go well.

MSN to end its deal with Net partner LookSmart
SEATTLE MSN, the Internet division of Microsoft, will drop its contract with the Internet search company LookSmart in January, marking a new stage in the software company's long-term plan to develop its own search tools.[International Herald Tribune]

AOL Renews With Google
AOL has renewed its agreement with Google for search results in a new multiyear deal. Terms of the deal and its exact length haven't been disclosed. [Search Engine Watch]

Yahoo completes takeover of Overture
Internet portal, Yahoo Inc, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of the pay-per-position specialist Overture. [PC Pro]

LookSmart shares plunge
SEATTLE (AP) - Shares of LookSmart Ltd. plunged more than 50 per cent Tuesday, a day after Microsoft Corp.'s MSN division said it will drop its contract with the Internet search firm in January. [Canada.com]