By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2010-10-28 14:29:18 | Word Count: 664
Yahoo’s search engine just got a face lift. In an attempt to separate itself from other engines, Yahoo updated its software in a big way, making room for new additions in the future.
As far as what the new engine already has, the news, entertainment and sports sections were directly affected with new multimedia boxes that give the user all kinds of interactive options on the left side of the screen. The features offer a more user friendly and convenient organization of important information like images, articles and even tweets. Users will also be able to buy things like movie tickets through the new multimedia boxes.
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To investigate these features, I searched Nicholas Sparks and the left side of my screen was totally revamped. At the top was a “Quick Links” feature that has a direct link to Netflix where I could find any Nicholas Sparks tear jerker I wanted. I was given the option to make notes as I went – convenient when comparing or compiling research. It also gives you a few of the top sites like Wikepiedia, IMDB, etc. Additionally, there’s a list of related searches. Mine came up with James Patterson, Jodi Piccoult, The Last Song, etc.
The Web interface has also been enhanced for iPhone, Android and other wireless users. A new “Trending Now” slide show provides users with brief information on the most popular topics at that moment. Tweaks to the image search feature also provide results in a slideshow format which can be viewed from Flicker and public Facebook albums.
However, real-time may be the name of the game for the future of Yahoo’s new search engine. Yahoo’s 10-year relationship with Microsoft will allow Yahoo to use Bing – Microsoft’s search and search advertising engine. This frees up space and money – $425 million to be exact – for Yahoo to focus on the possibility of developing real-time searches, technology that sites like Twitter already has.
For example, a real-time option in the future would allow Yahoo users to search for a hurricane about to strike South Florida and find a map of all Twitter users in that area and read their first-hand account of what is happening. Of course, this hypothetical situation assumes users have cell phone service and can update their tweets during and after the storm, but you get the idea.
So, hold on to your hats as Yahoo takes advantage of its new found space and funds.
