Microsoft buys Skype for $8.5 billion

Over the past week there were rumors that Google and Facebook were both interested in buying Skype. Then Om Malik reported that Microsoft was really the one interested and the Wall Street Journal confirmed yesterday that Microsoft would be paying a remarkable $8.5 billion for the company, making it Microsoft’s largest acquisition to date:

At a value close to $8 billion, the Skype deal would rank as the biggest acquisition in the 36-year history of Microsoft, a company that traditionally has shied away from large deals. In 2007, Microsoft paid approximately $6 billion to acquire online advertising firm aQuantive Inc. Many current and former Microsoft executives believe Microsoft significantly overpaid for that deal. But they are also relieved that Microsoft gave up on an unsolicited $48 billion offer for Yahoo Inc. nearly three years ago. Yahoo is valued at half that sum today.

Source url : http://searchengineland.com/microsoft-buys-skype-for-8-5-billion-now-what-76452

Indian service providers in UK

The UK government's announcement that it will slash the amount spent by central government on large IT projects has made many suppliers anxious, while the economic climate is also causing companies to tighten their belts. So are we finally seeing a slow-down in the Indian outsourcing boom?

Emphatically not, says Anthony Miller, co-founder and managing partner of analyst TechMarketView: "If you look at the top six or seven India-based players that operate in the UK market, last year they grew their UK revenues by 16 or 17 per cent.

Offshore outsourcing is still growing, and the India-based players are growing the fastest in the UK."

Source url : http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/analysis/2046516/indian-services-providers-adjust-market-conditions

Google expanded the Panda/Farmer update to all English language searches

It’s only been 48 hours since Google expanded the Panda/Farmer update to all English language searches outside the US, and we’re already seeing reports about who the early winners and losers are.

In some cases, the names are familiar if you followed the original reports when the algorithm change first hit in the US in late February.

But there are also some new names, including a notable one that was missing the first time around.

Source url : http://searchengineland.com/winners-losers-panda-goes-global-ehow-bings-ciao-more-72895

Internet connectivity can be blocked during national emergencies

The Indian Government has incorporated a provision under the IT Act of 2008, giving itself or any of its officers a special authority to block internet connectivity across the country during times of national emergencies. The shutdown can happen in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence and security of its states, friendly relations with foreign states or for public order. Failure to comply with this order will result in imprisonment of up to seven years.

Source : http://www.alootechie.com/content/government-india-can-block-internet-connectivity-during-national-emergencies

Bing with instant search

Google's been serving up "instant" search results for awhile and saving people seconds any time they need to search for something. Time for Bing to do the same.

Fast Company reports that Microsoft is introducing an instant search feature as "part of a bigger make-over for Bing that'll maximize its use of HTML 5's "next gen" browser technology." This feature will be similar to Google's and suggest search queries as you type yours. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

Basically, with instant search, top search results will pour in as you type your query, and odds are that you'll spot what you're looking for before you're even done typing. In other words, you'll feel like the search engine is trying to read your mind.

Source url : http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/07/6210771-bing-to-imitate-googles-instant-search-feature

New Navigation Bar for Google

A week ago, we reported on a new top navigation bar Google began testing. It appears that Google seems to be rolling out this new top navigation bar out globally. I even see the new navigation bar.

The new navigation bar allows the Google page and search results move up slightly, since the bar is slightly shorter than the previous bar. It also adds a bit of a more colorful and graphical interface. The top bar has a light dark and light blue bar across the top. Plus, there is a little gear like icon at the far right that gives you additional options for your account and preferences.

Source url : http://searchengineland.com/yes-more-are-seeing-google%E2%80%99s-new-navigation-bar-65236

Egypt oversold being a top offshoring spot?

Before Egypt turned off the Internet, the country had received increasingly high marks from leading analysis firms as a promising offshore outsourcing destination, despite the nation's political risk.

When it comes to outsourcing, there are some things that analysis firms can no doubt do well. They can assess the labor pool, the educational system, and cost of business -- anything that can be measured and quantified. But as Egypt's political turmoil demonstrates, it's very difficult to predict the sweep of history.

Management consulting firm A.T. Kearney released an annual index this week that measures the attractiveness of offshoring locations, and it put Egypt fourth on the list after India, China and Malaysia.

Source url : http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9207680/Was_Egypt_oversold_as_top_offshoring_spot_