Yahoo Started Dating Again Google for Better Search and Ad Capabilities


Yahoo is testing letting Google put its online search skills to work at some of its online properties.

The pioneering Silicon Valley Internet firm was looking at whether having a mix of players handling search results or search ad placement at its websites would benefit Yahoo and its users.

Microsoft and Yahoo updated their search partnership in April to allow more flexibility in searches and end Yahoo's exclusive sales force role with advertisers.

The search partnership between Microsoft and Yahoo took effect in 2010 and was supposed to last 10 years, but Yahoo had the option of exiting it midway if certain revenue conditions were not met. Yahoo's chief executive, Marissa Mayer, had repeatedly signaled that she was dissatisfied.

According to eMarketer projections, Microsoft and Yahoo combined will own 6.5% of the USD 81.59 billion search market globally in 2015.

Google, the search leader, was expected to take a 54.5% of the global market this year, the research firm said.

A significant alliance between Yahoo and Google on search could draw the attention of antitrust regulators at home and abroad, given the powerful position Google holds in that arena.

"Yahoo is currently testing search results and ads from a number of partners, including Google as one of their options," Google said in response to an AFP inquiry.

Via: [Hindustan Times]

Minecraft Sales Have Surpassed 20 Million Copies on PC Platform



"20 million copies of Minecraft PC sold, Thanks everyone for supporting us and thanks for stickning with us for so long!" Tweeted Kaplan, the business developer at Mojang.

Microsoft bought Minecraft creators Mojang for $2.5 billion less than a year ago. Bean counters at the company will be encouraged by the game's continued success. Also it looks like Microsoft is working to make the most of Minecraft's open world potential with the recent HoloLens demo at E3.

Minecraft in education

To make Minecraft's reach even broader Microsoft wants to help teachers and other educators implement learning programs that include Minecraft. Its Minecraft in education portal is designed as a reference to including Minecraft in lesson plans.

Minecraft has already been used in education off the back of various teachers' own initiatives, reports TIME magazine, but now they will get official support and a portal full of teaching possibilities. You can read more about the initiative on the official Tumblr site. Also Microsoft has created an introductory video, embedded below.

Via: [Hexus.net]