Greetings newsletter readers! As the cold rain beats down on the UK, bigmouthmedia is here to bring some sunshine into your week with the best news in search from the last seven days.
And what a week it's been. After Bill Gates' swan song at CES in Las Vegas last week, the legendary technology tycoon boldly declared that his company Microsoft would pit itself against Google and Apple, its main rivals.
On the other hand, Ask.com CEO Jim Lanzone has stepped down from his position as part of a dramatic management reshuffle - a move that's sure to have a distinct effect on the search engine's development in 2008.
The week has also witnessed the revelation of some intriguing research - firstly, a WatchMouse study placed Facebook at the top of its list of slow and inaccessible social networks last week. And a recent comScore report has shown that search engines are rapidly becoming the number one travel resource in the UK.
Additionally, statistics published in the New York Times have shown that traffic to Google from the iPhone has reached impressive levels, despite the device's relatively low market share. Simultaneously, Google has released an upgrade of its iPhone application software - only a month after its initial release.
What's more, as Google and Facebook joined the DataPortability Workgroup last week, it seems that 2008 is set to be the year in which online data portability is debated like never before.
What else will the year hold in store search fans? Rest assured that the bigmouthmedia newsletter is here to help you find out. So, without further ado, delve into this week's top stories...
EC starts legal proceedings against Microsoft
The European commission (EC) has begun legal action against software and internet firm Microsoft, it has been revealed.
FCC announces permission for Google to bid in spectrum auction
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it is allowing search engine provider Google to bid in the upcoming auction of wireless airwaves.
Google upgrades iPhone applications
Internet giant Google has released a new and improved version of the suite of internet applications it offers on Apple's iPhone handset.
Christmas e-commerce soars in UK and France
Over the festive period, online shopping in the UK and France rose sharply, while e-commerce in Germany "lagged behind", new research indicates.
iPhone traffic to Google reaches 'impressive levels'
Traffic to Google from the iPhone mobile device has reached impressive levels despite its relatively low market share, it has been reported.
Facebook 'is most slow and inaccessible' social networking site
Social networking site Facebook has been judged to be the slowest and most inaccessible social networking site, according to a new report.
UK travel customers 'increasingly using search engines'
The internet is rapidly becoming the number one resource for consumers looking to travel, according to new research.
Ask.com CEO steps down in management reshuffle
Search engine Ask.com is set to undergo a significant management reorganisation as it prepares to separate into five publicly traded companies, it has been revealed.
Gates: Microsoft will pit itself against rivals Google and Apple
Internet and software giant Microsoft will pit itself against rival firms such as Google and Apple, its chairman and co-founder has stated.
Google and Facebook join DataPortability Workgroup
Search engine provider Google and social networking website Facebook have both joined the DataPortability Workgroup, it has been revealed.
