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Music search and discovery tool for Apple iPod Touch unveiled

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seeqpod.jpgSeeqPod, the search engine technology company specializing in playable search results, today release SeeqPod Music Search & Discovery for the Apple iPod Touch. SeeqPod also recently announced its compatibility with the iPhone, enabling users everywhere to access the Internet’s vast catalog of media more easily and freely.

“The amount of music on the Internet is much larger than music found in localized catalogs or physical inventories,” said Kasian Franks, co-founder and CEO, SeeqPod, Inc. “It’s also a well known fact now that the Internet has a growing inventory filled with mashups, mixes and music of all kinds.” Franks added, “SeeqPod understands that today and in the future search results need to be played in order for relevance to be apparent.”

Originally posted on September 19, 2007 @ 10:23 am

Merriam-Webster’s Spell It! now free online

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mw.jpgSpell It!, the official study booklet of the Scripps National Spelling Bee created in cooperation with Merriam-Webster, has been updated for 2008 and is now available free online– an interactive site featuring hundreds of words designed to give spellers of all ages a winning edge at home, school, or in competitions across the country. Categorized by language of origin to help students learn and remember several important rules, tips, and guidelines for successfully spelling words in English, each study word is linked to a Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary definition and audio-pronunciation. The site also features challenge words for advanced spellers as well as printable study lists.

Originally posted on September 18, 2007 @ 11:22 am

Filed Under: Web

InfoSpace to sell online directory business for $225 million cash

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infospace.jpgInfoSpace, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which InfoSpace will sell its online directory business, including the company’s online yellow and white pages services, to Idearc Inc., for $225 million in cash.

“The sale of our directory business is part of the Board of Directors’ ongoing review of our company and the opportunities available to enhance value for our shareholders,” said Jim Voelker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of InfoSpace. “In addition to unlocking the value of our director business that was not reflected in the Company’s market valuation, this transaction is extremely tax efficient, allowing us to capitalize on our net operating losses to significantly maximize the cash proceeds from the sale.”

Originally posted on September 17, 2007 @ 2:09 pm

Filed Under: Web

Sprint, Microsoft deliver mobile search innovations

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sprint.jpgAs part of the strategic alliance between Sprint and Microsoft Corp., the two companies are providing Sprint customers with the industry’s first fully integrated GPS location-aware mobile search service in the U.S. with entire Internet search on Sprint phones. Voice search with visual results by Live Search for mobile using Tellme technologies will also be available on select Sprint phones as a separate download. The new services enable people to find web, local, and phone content easily using traditional input methods or voice.

Additionally, Sprint is the first mobile operator in the U.S. to launch GPS-enabled voice search capabilities, which are powered by Live Search for mobile. Customers can simply say the business listing and then see the search results on the screen. Speaking rather than typing makes it even easier for customers to find the results they are looking for. This feature uses award-w

The enhanced Sprint mobile search experience powered by Live Search is immediately available at no additional cost to Sprint data subscribers on most data-enabled Sprint phones. On select Sprint phones, voice search will be available to customers as a free download.

Originally posted on September 18, 2007 @ 1:25 pm

Many consumers do not visit their credit card website, survey revealed

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creditcard.jpgResearch conducted by Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) showed that 32% of credit card users have never visited the website associated with their most frequently used credit card because of a concern for personal information safety.

Consumers that do visit their card company’s website typically do so on a regular basis. 53% of credit card website visitors make at least 2 visits to the site each month. Frequent credit card website visitors are generally satisfied with the performance of the site, though ACG research showed that credit card companies have room to improve their proprietary websites, particularly when it comes to the rewards redemption process. 7 out of 10 consumers think that redeeming their credit card rewards on their card company’s website is difficult.

“Consumer education about data security, coupled with an incentive to change behavior should drive some of these consumers to visit their credit card company’s website,” says Megan Bramlette, an Associate at ACG.

Originally posted on September 18, 2007 @ 11:46 am