Yahoo Buys MyBlogLog
On January 9, 2007, Yahoo officially announced its purchase of the blog social community MyBlogLog for a reported $10 million. Yahoo bought the popular blog network in order to further connect its users with more people in online communities. MyBlogLog, online social communities that came about in July 2006, enables users to write blogs, leave messages, and connect with other people who read the same or similar blogs. Yahoo executives are certain this new acquisition will greatly enhance the company's existing networking capabilities, drawing in a larger audience.
Google Premieres Google SketchUp 6
Google recently premiered Google SketchUp 6 at the Macworld Conference & Expo. This new version of SketchUp now works in conjunction with Google Earth, a program that allows users to download satellite images of the world to their computers, to make it easier for users to manipulate the downloaded images into 3D models. Google SketchUp 6 comes with four major features: Photo Match, 3D Text, LayOut Beta, and a collection of new styles. Photo Match allows users to match a 3D model with a background photo or create a 3D model from an existing photograph. 3D Text allows users to incorporate 2-dimensional images and text into a 3D model, personalizing the model to fit their specific needs. Finally, LayOut Beta is a feature used to transform a 3D model into a professional-looking document or presentation. The combination of these two applications comes as good news to design professionals, as it will provide a simpler way to create and present models created from Google Earth.
AOL to Include TradeDoubler?
AOL has long been putting forth efforts to increase its European market, and now it may have found its chance. It is reported that the global Internet corporation has offered $900 million in exchange for TradeDoubler, an online sales and marketing firm located in Sweden. Since AOL ended the ISP portion of its business in Europe, the company's revenue has been dependent upon advertising. TradeDoubler's full-service marketing and sales services would be exactly what AOL needs in order to cement a strong European presence that started with the acquisition of Advertising.com in 2004. Shareholders for TradeDoubler have not accepted the offer, although it is believed that the deal will close sometime in February.