It's another week in search, newsletter fans, and the MicroYahoo!-gate scandal wears on. In fact, since our last meeting, Yahoo! has taken a few timely steps to fend off Microsoft's hostile takeover bid.
For starters, Yahoo! has stepped up talks with AOL and Time Warner in order to come to an agreement that could see the two web pioneers team up in the future. In addition, Yahoo! has extended the deadline for nominating its directors, in an effort to delay the software firm from putting forward its own appointments to the Yahoo! board.
However, Microsoft has also been making movements of its own, with Steve Ballmer claiming that purchasing Yahoo! is crucial to increasing Microsoft's search market share. What's more, Ballmer's colleague Ray Ozzie told the FT that a hasty Microsoft-Yahoo! tech integration would be 'reckless'.
Certainly, Microsoft seems one step closer to acquiring Yahoo! after Rupert Murdoch revealed this week that News Corp will not be buying Yahoo! - a timely announcement that precedes the launch of video site Hulu, a joint News Corp-NBC venture, on Wednesday.
In other search news, Ask.com has revealed its aims to focus on married women as its main target market, in a new strategy to claw back some of the market share it's lost to Google. And speaking of the ubiquitous search giant, reports suggest that the EU may approve the Google-DoubleClick deal without conditions nearly a year after the landmark $3bn acquisition was announced.
The active bloggers among our readers may have heard claims made by blog service WordPress that 30% of all its blog sites are spam blogs. But are 'sploggers' really the "terrorists of web 2.0"? Our bigmouthmedia reporter investigates.
With so much happening in the world of search, dear readers, there's only one place you can count on to deliver the best news highlights - the bigmouthmedia newsletter. Until next week!
Hulu video service set to launch
Video website Hulu is preparing to make its official launch on Wednesday (March 12th).
Murdoch confirms lack of interest in Yahoo! bid
News Corp chief executive Rupert Murdoch has indicated that his company is unwilling to make a bid for Yahoo! to help it fend off the advances of Microsoft.
Bebo to offer ITV videos
ITV's online arm ITV.com has announced the signing of a deal with social networking website Bebo to distribute its television shows for free.
Hasty Microsoft-Yahoo! tech integration 'would be reckless'
There would be few benefits in Microsoft rushing to integrate its technology platform with that of Yahoo!'s if its takeover bid is successful, it has been claimed.
Google 'must improve hosted apps to appeal to IT managers'
Internet giant Google must improve its Google Apps hosted application suite if it wants IT managers to take it seriously, an expert has said.
Google 'may bring TV Ads service to UK'
Google may bring its TV Ads programme to the UK market, a manager with the company has revealed.
Microsoft aiming to catch Google in search, exec says
In the field of online advertising and search, Microsoft is an "underdog" compared to rival Google, a company executive has said.
Bigmouthmedia boss recognised at IOD Scotland Awards
Bigmouthmedia CEO Steve Leach has been named Regional Director of the Year at a prestigious annual event organised by the Institute of Directors in Scotland.
UK internet users "favour YouTube"
Google-owned video-sharing site YouTube is now the most popular user-generated site in the UK, new research suggests.
Yahoo! moves to delay decision over Microsoft deal
Search engine provider Yahoo! has revealed it has postponed the deadline for nominating directors in an effort to temporarily fend off Microsoft's $44.6 billion takeover bid.
EU 'likely to approve Google-DoubleClick deal without conditions'
An expert has said that European Union regulators will let the long-awaited Google-DoubleClick deal go through without conditions.
Yahoo! unveils onePlace for mobiles
Yahoo! has announced the release of onePlace, a service it describes as a 'revolutionary mobile content management solution'.
Battling blog spam: sploggers - the 'terrorists of Web 2.0'
Do spam blogs - or 'splogs' - really deserve the title 'terrorists of Web 2.0'?
Yahoo! and Time Warner are talking again
Yahoo! may have reopened talks with Time Warner but time may be running out for the search engine to develop a viable plan to counteract Microsoft's unsolicited offer.
Ask.com to focus on narrower market
Search engine Ask.com has revealed a dramatic change in direction, announcing it is to focus on a narrower market consisting predominantly of married women.
