According to the MSN Live Search Blog, the Live Search Books service from Microsoft is shutting down. However, Microsoft will preserve the Live Search Books and Live Search Academics databases and will appear in the regular Live web search results. This database will remain as it is without any further updates, because Microsoft is also letting go of its 'digitization initiatives' that include the library scanning and the in-copyright book programs.

Microsoft is at it again! In a statement released on Sunday, May 18, it put before Yahoo! a new deal that does not seek to acquire all of Yahoo. Microsoft's press release reads “In light of developments since the withdrawal of the Microsoft proposal to acquire Yahoo! Inc., Microsoft announced that it is continuing to explore and pursue its alternatives to improve and expand its online services and advertising business. Microsoft is considering and has raised with Yahoo! an alternative that would involve a transaction with Yahoo! but not an acquisition of all of Yahoo! Microsoft is not proposing to make a new bid to acquire all of Yahoo! at this time, but reserves the right to reconsider that alternative depending on future developments and discussions that may take place with Yahoo! or discussions with shareholders of Yahoo! or Microsoft or with other third parties.” With this new offer, Microsoft Corp. seeks to continue its aim of expanding its online services.

Microsoft in an attempt to collectively give an answer to Google Earth, Google Sky and Google Moon, has launched a downloadable application aptly named 'WorldWide Telescope'. This application combines imageries from both ground and space based observatories around the globe, providing convenient access to users for space exploration right from their desktops. WorldWide Telescope aims at providing various astronomical and educational communities with compelling astronomical information. This information will also act as an interactive way of imparting knowledge to children.

In what appeared to be Microsoft's dream, of becoming a Titan in the world of Information & Technology arena came crashing down as Microsoft announced that it would be withdrawing from its bid to takeover Yahoo! Inc. This about turn in the Microsoft-Yahoo! tussle came at a meeting that took place in Seattle, Washington, where Yahoo! rejected Microsoft's bid of $33 a share which amounted to a total of about $47.5 billion. The new increased bid from Microsoft was a straight jump of $5 billion. Yahoo! Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jerry Yang however, made it very clear to Microsoft that any bid below $37 a share would not be acceptable to Yahoo!.

Microsoft has relaunched Live Search News. It is speculated that this latest release is a direct answer to the Google News. The look of the Live Search News is quite pleasing, especially the layout and the design.

Our planet has become a lot smaller since the advent of online mapping phenomenon. Google, Yahoo, Mapquest and Microsoft have all been working in this field for quite some time now. Recently, Microsoft team released new 'Live Search Maps' and Virtual Earth 3D. These are improved additions to Microsoft's mapping service. Some of the distinct features are:

According to New York Times Microsoft Corp. is in talks with Rupert Murdoch' News Corp, publishers of 'The Wall Street Journal' about a joint bid towards the acquisition of Yahoo!. As of now, the two corporations still need to reach an agreement, but some sources have stated that the talks are extremely serious in nature. If this deal goes through, it will combine three of the Internet's biggest giants: News Corp's MySpace, Microsoft's MSN and Yahoo!.

Yahoo! Inc. rejected software giant Microsoft's three week deadline to accept a $44.6 billion takeover bid, keeping the prospect of a higher bid wide open. Roy Bostock (chairman of Yahoo's board) said, "We continue to believe that your proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders."

Microsoft has recently opened it's ContentAds Publisher Program to the public in general. The form for the sign-up is available at http://advertising.microsoft.com/publisher.

This new act by Microsoft will enable a user :

• To be informed about latest developments.
• Will receive invitations for participation in focus groups and feedback sessions.
• Could be considered for participation in an upcoming Pilot Program.

In 2006, Google, Microsoft Live Search and Yahoo! came together and extented their joint support for the Sitemaps protocol. So now furthering this team play, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! have announced the Cross-host submission for Sitemaps.