Microsoft (MSFT) is about to release the newest version of its search technology. Of course, it works better than the current version. That might give it a chance to gain some ground against Google (GOOG) and Yahoo! (YHOO) is the search engine market.
Microsoft has about 12% of the US search share. Google has over 50% and Yahoo! about 20%. The FT reports that "the new version has specialised content in the entertainment, shopping, health and local categories." The company has determined that these are the areas where its customers have the most interest.
Microsoft has to keep working on its search program. If it does not keep updating the product, the market will see it as a surrender. But, unfortunately, the work is somewhat futile. The share of search in fairly stable in the US and Europe, although Google still makes small gains. In Russia and China. local search companies lead the market, but it is unlikely that the Microsoft improvement will change that.
Search may be strategic for Microsoft as its takes more of its software online. But, declaring that something is strategic does not matter when it is dying.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts
Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.
It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.
We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today. Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.