Yahoo begins radical Home Page Overhaul

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 By Eric Auchard

SUNNYVALE, California (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc is moving ahead on Thursday with a radical redesign of its home page -- the most heavily trafficked site on the Web -- making changes that give users a personalized view of the wider Web.
The Internet media giant is under the gun to deliver on year-old promises to transform Yahoo from a network of more or less insular properties into "starting points" that help consumers quickly navigate their way to the rest of the Web.
"We are going to put what matters to you most at your fingertips," said Tapan Bhat, the senior vice president in charge of "front doors" -- the main destinations at Yahoo, including Yahoo.com, MyYahoo and the Yahoo toolbar.
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Posted on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yahoo oneConnect for iPhone Preview Available

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Yahoo announced that a preview for its new iPhone application oneConnect is now available. The software is a type of social address book that brings a circle of friends, communication, and social networking into one application.

The program is available via the Apple App store now and will be offered for other devices in the coming months. Using the application users can integrate their contacts, send IM and SMS messages, post status, and view activity from their favorite social networks. The application will support Bebo, Dopplr, Facebook, Flickr, Friendster, Last.fm, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. Read more

Posted on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:39:10 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

U.S. hires Lawyer for Google/Yahoo Inquiry

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 NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has hired Sandy Litvack, who was its former antitrust chief and Walt Disney Co's former vice chairman, to consult on its probe of Google Inc's search advertising deal with Yahoo , a source close to the investigation said.
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Posted on Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:27:37 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Intel and Yahoo Team up to Bring Internet Content to TV

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Intel and Yahoo have given a preview of plans for a Widget Channel, which is an application framework for optimized TV and related consumer electronic devices using Intel Architecture. The Widget Channel is intended to allow consumers to enjoy Internet applications designed for the TV while watching their favorite TV programs.

The channel will be powered by the Yahoo Widget Engine, which Yahoo says is a fifth-generation applications platform that allows small Internet applications to be displayed on TVs while watching traditional TV content. Widgets for the channel can be designed by developers using JavaScript, XML, HTML, and Adobe Flash. Read more

Posted on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:10:19 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Yahoo Launches Fire Eagle Platform

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Yahoo announced the launch of its Fire Eagle open platform today that allows users to display their location on the web, while giving them control over how their location information is displayed. The platform provides clear protocols on when location information can be updated or accessed.

Users can allow access to the location information with Web, mobile or desktop applications that update their location automatically. Users can also update the location information manually and hide themselves when wanted. Read more

Posted on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:54:01 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Yahoo Kicks Off Fantasy Football Season

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Football season is almost here and if you are into fantasy football, Yahoo is ready to help kick off your fantasy stuff. Yahoo has announced new features for fantasy football season along with announcing Braylon Edwards as its Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football 2008 cover athlete.

Yahoo is providing new features for the season including a new draft application with extensive player data and more personalization options. Mobile access is integrated as well to provide fans with injury updates and the ability to upload custom logos. Read more

Posted on Fri, 8 Aug 2008 06:08:43 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Big Holder Capital Research wants Yahoo Vote Probe

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 By Anupreeta Das and Eric Auchard

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - One of Yahoo Inc's largest and most critical shareholders, Capital Research Global Investors, said on Monday it asked for a probe of last week's shareholder vote, a move that calls into question the strong showing for Chief Executive Jerry Yang.
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Posted on Tue, 5 Aug 2008 00:58:27 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

HP, Intel and Yahoo Start Global Cloud Computing Test Bed

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HP, Intel and Yahoo announced this week that they will all be working together and have started a global, multi-data center, open source test bed for the advancement of cloud computing. The goal for the test bed program is to promote open collaboration among industry, academia, and governments.

The test bed devised by the three companies will provide a globally distributed, Internet-scale testing environment designed to encourage research on software, hardware issues and data center management. The three firms have collaborated with the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, the University of Illinois, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. Read more

Posted on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:04:40 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Microsoft Exec who led Yahoo Bid leaving Company

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By Daisuke Wakabayashi

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp said on Wednesday that Kevin Johnson, who as president of Microsoft's largest business division spearheaded the company's pursuit of Yahoo Inc , is leaving the software maker.

Microsoft will undergo a reorganization, splitting the division that Johnson runs -- platforms and services -- into two groups, one focusing on the Windows operating system and the other on search and other online services.

Johnson's departure is the latest hurdle to a possible transaction between Yahoo and Microsoft, a few days after the Web company and investor Carl Icahn settled a looming proxy fight to force Yahoo to strike a deal with Microsoft.
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Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:18:47 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yahoo! settles with Carl Icahn

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Yahoo! announced today that it has reached an agreement with Carl Icahn to settle their pending proxy contest related to the Company's 2008 annual meeting of stockholders.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, eight members of Yahoo!'s current Board of Directors will stand for re-election at the 2008 annual meeting: Roy Bostock, Ronald Burkle, Eric Hippeau, Vyomesh Joshi, Arthur Kern, Mary Agnes Wilderotter, Gary Wilson and Jerry Yang. In view of the settlement agreement with Mr. Icahn, and the termination of the proxy contest, Robert Kotick has decided not to stand for re-election to the Board at the 2008 annual meeting. Read more

Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:23:21 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yahoo says Icahn's Agenda presents significant Risk

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc on Thursday warned its shareholders that billionaire Carl Icahn's agenda present a "significant risk" to their investment, and reiterated that Yahoo would sell itself to Microsoft but only under the right terms.
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Posted on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:22:43 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yahoo! wants to be bought as a whole, rejects latest Microsoft and Icahn Plan

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Yahoo! announced yesterday that it has rejected a joint proposal from Microsoft Corporation and Carl Icahn for a complex restructuring of Yahoo! that would include the acquisition of Yahoo!'s search business by Microsoft.

Roy Bostock, Chairman of Yahoo! said, "This odd and opportunistic alliance of Microsoft and Carl Icahn has anything but the interests of Yahoo!'s stockholders in mind. Clearly, Microsoft, having failed to advance in search, is aligning with the short-term objectives of Mr. Icahn to coerce Yahoo! into selling its core strategic search assets on terms that are highly advantageous to Microsoft, but disadvantageous to Yahoo! stockholders. Yahoo's Board of Directors will not allow that to happen. Yahoo!'s Board remains open to any transaction that delivers full value to our stockholders - we just do not believe such a transaction should be dictated by Microsoft and a single short-term investor." Read more

Posted on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:19:46 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yahoo back in the News with AOL Merger Talks and rekindled Microsoft Interest

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Microsoft and Billionaire financier Icahn had a chat last week and the message to Yahoo is that Microsoft is still interested to reopen talks if Yahoo elects a new board.

Meanwhile The Times Online reports that Yahoo is talking again with Time Warner to fend of a Microsoft takeover. Read more

Posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2008 10:00:28 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Icahn says Microsoft still interested in Yahoo

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp on Monday said it would be willing to reopen talks to buy all or part of Yahoo Inc , but only if a new Yahoo board is elected, a major boost for investor Carl Icahn's board slate.

Microsoft, which broke off talks in early May to buy the Internet company for $47.5 billion, said it would enter into talks immediately if a new board were elected at Yahoo's August 1 stockholder meeting.

Billionaire financier Icahn, a major Yahoo shareholder who is running a slate of candidates to replace the Yahoo board, said in an open letter released on Monday that he had spoken frequently with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer over the last week.

"Steve made it clear to me that if a new board were elected, he would be interested in discussing a major transaction with Yahoo," including purchasing either its "search" function with large financial guarantees, or an outright purchase of Yahoo, said Icahn.

Microsoft said it would be premature to discuss details, such as the price it might offer for Yahoo. It's latest offer was $33 per share, but Yahoo demanded $37.

The news sent Yahoo shares up more than 10 percent in early trading on Nasdaq, up $2.22 to $23.57. Microsoft shares were up 29 cents to $26.27.

Icahn has been highly critical of the Yahoo board and its CEO Jerry Yang in recent months, claiming the company "botched" negotiations with Microsoft.

Icahn said he would immediately move to replace Yang if his board slate were elected at the August meeting.

(Reporting by Dane Hamilton; editing by John Wallace) © Copyright 2008 Reuters. Read more

Posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2008 08:54:17 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Microsoft, Yahoo mull Media Partner Options: Sources

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By Eric Auchard and Kenneth Li

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp and Yahoo Inc have been holding separate talks with other potential media partners after their negotiations with each other broke down, sources familiar with the companies' thinking said on Wednesday.
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Posted on Wed, 2 Jul 2008 23:48:03 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Microsoft is aiming again at Yahoo with new Partners

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The WSJ reports that Microsoft is apparently getting ready to try again buying Yahoo!'s search business. This turns out to become a never ending story.

Apparently Microsoft approached several media companies to strike a deal that would lead to a break up of Yahoo. Read more

Posted on Wed, 2 Jul 2008 01:45:23 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yahoo reorganizes Businesses under Decker

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By Eric Auchard and Michele Gershberg

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc unveiled on Thursday the third phase of an extended reorganization, bolstering the operational control of President Sue Decker, as the company hones its independent strategy after rebuffing Microsoft Corp .
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Posted on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:59:50 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Conflicting reports on Microsoft, Yahoo buyout Talks

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp is back in talks to buy out Yahoo Inc , technology blog TechCrunch reported on Tuesday, citing multiple unnamed sources at both companies.
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Posted on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:55:10 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

No Deal between Yahoo and Microsoft: Report

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(Reuters) - CNBC says no deal "whatsoever" on the table between Yahoo Inc and Microsoft Corp, citing unnamed sources.
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Posted on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:58:55 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yahoo planning Reorganization: Report

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc is considering a reorganization to centralize its mail, search and homepage divisions into a global product organization, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, quoting people familiar with the matter.
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Posted on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:18:48 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Google sees Benefits in Yahoo ''Experiment'': Exec

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SEOUL (Reuters) - Internet service leader Google Inc believes its recent advertising deal with Yahoo Inc will be beneficial as Yahoo tries to become more profitable, a key Google executive said on Wednesday.
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Posted on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:07:49 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr