New Google Search Features
Google has recently released new search features, including business hours and restaurant menu information in universal search, \"rich snippets\" for events, and \"answer highlighting.\" The first feature allows users to type in \"menu\" or \"hours\" after a specific business name and/or location in order to be quickly sent directly to the menu or hours page on a retail or restaurant website. Rich snippets are shortened summaries of events that appear in Google search results when users search for events and event information. Each snippet will contain overview information for that event and will contain links to the specific event pages. The last of Google's most recent search updates, answer highlighting, is a feature that provides possible answers to questions typed into the search bar. These possible answers to search queries will appear in bold type in the search results, directing users to the site(s) that contain the most relevant information for the question asked.

Bing Maps Out of Beta, Adds More Streetside Imagery and Features
Based on beta feedback for Bing Maps, Microsoft has now added several updates and new features to the program. Bing maps now have a much faster load time, a legend that is easier for users to understand/navigate, and have added mapping images of several international cities, including Vancouver and Whistler, so that users are able to see the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Additionally, Bing Maps now allow users to customize maps in order to use the images as event invitations or announcements as well as provide the ability to search local events and even overlay those events or activities on a map of your area. Microsoft announced that it will release further additions to the Bing Maps imagery in the coming months.

Yahoo! Offers New Feature that Allows Google AdWords Users to Import Campaigns
In order to increase its online advertising business, Yahoo! is now offering a feature that allows existing Google AdWords users to import their paid search campaigns directly into Yahoo! Search Marketing. The new feature aims to spare advertisers the hassle of starting their campaigns from scratch if they choose to use a different network. Yahoo! Search Marketing now has an \"Import Campaigns\" icon to seamlessly import Google AdWords campaigns into the Yahoo! platform. Users of Yahoo! Search Marketing are also being given more control over their accounts, with the capability to run ads both on Yahoo! partner sites and on Yahoo! search pages.

AOL Acquires Online Video Platform StudioNow, Inc.
AOL announced a new acquisition this week: online video creation and distribution platform StudioNow, Inc. This acquisition, coupled with AOL's new content management system, Seed.com, is part of a plan to increase the range of video content and creation capabilities of the corporation and provide stronger competition for Google and Yahoo!. Although StudioNow will be integrated with AOL's existing Seed.com content management system, the video creation company will still continue to develop its own business and service its existing clients. The partnership between the two companies will provide a greater range of services for AOL's businesses/internet properties and will also allow StudioNow to reach a greater audience and increase the demand for video creation assignments.

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