(Continued)     September 18, 2004 edition
In other news on Tuesday, Yahoo and Musicmatch have signed a definitive agreement under which Yahoo will acquire Musicmatch for a purchase price of $160 million in cash. The combination will substantially increase Yahoo’s music reach from 12.9 million to an estimated 23 million listeners.

This extensive reach within an active and engaged music audience will make Yahoo even more compelling for advertisers and record labels. “Yahoo is committed to being a major player in digital music,” said Terry Semel, chairman and chief executive officer, Yahoo.

“This combination bolsters our strategy to capture the largest audience of consumers as they make the shift to digital music and supports Yahoo’s goal to give consumers the greatest choice, control and flexibility in how they interact with their music. This acquisition is one of several product innovations and new initiatives in which Yahoo will invest to build our music portfolio this year and in the future.”

In news on Wednesday, Google said it updated its Google Local Search service with a focus on maps and providing more relevant search results. Google Local combines results from the Web with business-directory information to display local business listings and information. Google lets users conduct local searches either from its main Web query, displaying local results atop broader Web results, or from its Google Local site.

In the update, Google has integrated maps onto local result pages, pinpointing businesses from the listings on the maps and allowing users to zoom and pan directions without reloading the Web page, the Mountain View, Calif., company announced. Google had previously displayed a map on individual listings using MapQuest.com Inc. A spokesman said the company is using different mapping technology for its new map features, but he declined to name the provider.

Google Local, a research project launched as a public beta in March, is the search leader's answer to the growing focus on search results and information targeted to specific cities and geographies.

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