8 posts and columns on Web search

Google Buys Phonetic Arts to Make Machines Sound Human

in Commerce on December 3, 2010 at 2:06 pm PT

Google is beefing up its voice services with today’s acquisition of Cambridge, England-based Phonetic Arts. Google’s view is that voice will be critical going forward to making mobile devices with small screens and keyboards more useful.

Meet Google’s New Search Engine, Same as the Old Search Engine

in Media on August 11, 2009 at 4:29 am PT

Take that, Microsoft! Meet “Caffeine,” Google’s new search engine…which looks just like the old search engine. Confused? Don’t worry–the world’s search pros are trying to figure out the difference between plain-vanilla Google and the new version, which Google is previewing via a blog post.
caffeine

Just How Much Search Share Does Twitter Really Have?

in Media on June 18, 2009 at 12:04 pm PT

Twitter notched yet another milestone yesterday when it finally showed up on comScore’s index of Web search milestones. The catch: It barely registered, pulling down a search share of just 0.001 percent. But I’m sure that comScore is missing the majority of Twitter’s searches. So what’s the real number?

Web Searches That Really Bear Fruit

in The Mossberg Solution on January 13, 2009 at 4:18 pm PT

There’s nothing more frustrating than a fruitless Web search — or one that returns results that distract you from your original goal. This week I tested two free tools that attempt to make your Web searches more relevant by learning from users’ reactions to search results.
PJ-AO043_pjMOSS_G_20090113130846

Boost Microsoft's Lousy Search Market Share and Win Prizes!

in News on October 1, 2008 at 11:00 am PT

Boost Microsoft’s Lousy Search Market Share and Win Prizes!

in News on October 1, 2008 at 11:00 am PT

New From Microsoft: Live Search SearchGimmick!

in News on October 1, 2008 at 9:52 am PT

Microsoft’s Live Search Cashback–“The Search That Pays You Back!”–must have had at least some short-term positive effect on Microsoft’s search business because the company is augmenting it with another rewards program. Now, in addition to receiving Cashback rebates on certain purchases of products found through Microsoft’s live.com Web search, users can win prizes as well.