Google Adds Space Views to Google Earth
Google just released a new addition to its Google Earth program. Dubbed Google Sky, the addition (available in Google Earth version 4.2) allows users to explore the universe and visit different galaxies, see constellations, and track the lifecycle of a star from birth to supernova. Try Google Sky.
My Web Storage Service Can Beat Up Your Web Storage Service
Google and Microsoft are at it again, this time with competing web storage services. Shortly after Microsoft opened the beta version of its Windows Live SkyDrive service to the public, Google countered with its own storage service, minus a cool rhyming name. Google's service aims to generate revenue from users who want increased storage capacity for its Picasa photo service and Gmail webmail programs. Users can purchase additional space, from 6 GB ($20/year) up to 250 GB ($500/year), which will be shared by the two programs. The Windows Live SkyDrive allows users to save up to 500 MB of documents, music, images, and videos and ties in closely with Microsoft's Live Spaces social networking site.
Answers.com Searches for Solution to Google's Latest Algorithm Shift
Following Google's latest algorithm change, information portal Answers.com's search-engine-referred traffic dropped 28%. \"This change only demonstrates the sound business rationale behind our agreement to purchase Dictionary.com because it underscores a primary motivation for the deal: to secure a steady source of direct traffic to come from people navigating directly to our Web properties or typing the term 'dictionary' into a search engine. We remain optimistic and look forward to completing this transformative acquisition. As we work to restore normal traffic levels to Answers.com, we are confident that our efforts will result in a stronger and more valuable company,\" said Bob Rosenschein, CEO. Transformative acquisitions aside, this example also demonstrates the need to constantly monitor a site's search engine traffic and investigate any large fluctuations.
Study: Search and Online Display Advertising Generate In-Store Sales
A new study from Yahoo! and comScore indicates that consumers who \"pre-shop\" online and are exposed to online advertising tended to spend 41% more in-store than consumers who were not exposed to online advertising. Online advertising exposure also increased consumer engagement. Consumers who were exposed to online advertising viewed six additional pages, compared to consumers who were not exposed to advertising. The study also indicated that 90% of incremental sales generated by online advertising take place in-store.
Microsoft Launches Beta of Tafiti Search Interface
Microsoft recently launched \"Tafiti,\" a new AJAX-based search interface that utilizes the company's Silverlight browser plugin. Tafiti uses Microsoft's Live Search engine to generate results, but presents them in a different format with features targeted towards people doing research online. These features include the ability to save and share search results, switch seamlessly between results classified in different categories (web, images, news, feeds, and books), and even see a \"tree view,\" where the results of your search are displayed as branches of a tree. While Tafiti will probably never be a household name, we may see some of its features and other \"Web 2.0\" technologies integrated into major search engines in the next couple of years. Try Tafiti.