Year in review: Google gets even more ambitious
The search giant gets into the phone business, with an eye on prime wireless real estate, and works toward a takeover of ad specialist DoubleClick.
Google gets even more ambitious
If Google were an adolescent lad, 2007 would mark the year his voice cracked.
Last year, Google remained at the top of its search class. This year, the company tried out for the wireless varsity teams, played hooky with YouTube, and courted cheerleader DoubleClick.
There was a wave of consolidation in the online advertising space, with search companies gobbling up ad firms like crazy. Google started it off by offering $3.1 billion to acquire online ad serving and ad exchange provider DoubleClick in April. The merger was kept in limbo most of the year due to privacy and antitrust concerns voiced by lawmakers, privacy advocates, and rivals like Microsoft.
Last week, however, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission gave its approval for the Google-DoubleClick deal. But the transaction is expected to be a tough sell in Europe, where regulators face an April 2 deadline for deciding.
Yahoo kicked off 2007 by acquiring Right Media, which runs an online ad exchange, and then later in the year it purchased
Microsoft spent a whopping $6 billion for online ad serving firm Aquantive in May, then
Not to be outdone, AOL
While trying to become an advertising powerhouse, Google also staked out turf in the mobile and wireless-spectrum areas in the hopes of broadening access to its Internet search and other services.
Following years of "Google Phone" speculation, the company in November finally launched the Android mobile-software platform and the Open Handset Alliance of device makers, carriers, and others who aim to create an ecosystem for next-generation Internet-enabled phones.
Later that month, Google submitted its application to bid on the Federal Communications Commission's auction of the 700MHz band wireless spectrum. Google executives have been mum about their plans for the spectrum should they win, but they have hinted that they would likely partner with a network service provider rather than build out a network on their own.
Google, meanwhile, was sued by Viacom for $1 billion for alleged copyright violations over pirated videos posted to its video-sharing site, YouTube. Seven months later, Google
While Google's search market share
Yang's promotion
In contrast, at Tech High, Google would definitely be voted "Most Ambitious" and "Most Likely to Succeed."
2007 Highlights
Viacom sues Google over YouTube clips
Media company seeks more than $1 billion in damages, claiming that nearly 160,000 unauthorized clips appear on video-sharing site.
Google buys ad firm DoubleClick for $3.1 billion
Deal boosts the search giant's banner advertising business, which lagged rival Yahoo's.
Google treads on PowerPoint turf
In his keynote address at Web 2.0 Expo, CEO Eric Schmidt shows off new Docs & Spreadsheets feature that lets users create presentations.
Microsoft to buy Aquantive for $6 billion
Spending spree on advertising companies continues, as the software giant issues a rejoinder to Google's plan to purchase DoubleClick.
Google Maps takes it to the streets
New street-level view in Google Maps shows panoramas and offers zoom-in feature to read signs.
Yang replaces Semel as Yahoo CEO
Terry Semel steps down one week after shareholders blast him over search company's financial performance.
Search engines race to update privacy policies
Microsoft and Yahoo are the latest to announce limits on how long they will keep Web search data.
Google remains king of search
Hitwise says Google has a nearly 64 percent share of the U.S. search market and Nielsen/NetRatings says it has a 54 percent share.
Google unveils YouTube antipiracy tool
New system uses image recognition to match pirated video with copyrighted clips. But copyright owners must provide reference video.
Google launches open APIs for social networks
Borrowing a page from Sun's Java playbook, Google is announcing a way for programmers to build social applications for multiple Web sites at once.
Google's shares pass $700 mark
Shares kiss the $700 mark in early morning trading Wednesday, marking a new first for the Internet giant and its soaring stock price.
Google unveils cell phone software and alliance
In much the same way it changed the wired Internet, Google plans to revolutionize the mobile Web through its new open software platform.
Yahoo settles lawsuit with jailed Chinese journalists
Settlement comes week after Congress tell Yahoo's Yang to settle suit filed by journalists after Yahoo provided information to Chinese govt.
Google versus the telecoms
If Google wins the 700MHz wireless spectrum auction in January, expect Google-branded phones galore.
FTC allows Google-DoubleClick merger to proceed
In a 4-1 vote, regulators give their blessing to the controversial union, despite outcry from competitors and privacy advocates.
Additional Headlines
Google suffers setback in copyright case
Google hears static on radio bid
Google snags AdScape for $23 million, source says
Microsoft: Use our search and we'll pay you
Google beats Microsoft, Coke in brand stakes
Google rises at Yahoo's expense
In ad wars, Yahoo aims for Right touch
Google creates uber search site
Yahoo opens Panama search platform
Google gets even more ambitious
If Google were an adolescent lad, 2007 would mark the year his voice cracked.
Last year, Google remained at the top of its search class. This year, the company tried out for the wireless varsity teams, played hooky with YouTube, and courted cheerleader DoubleClick.
There was a wave of consolidation in the online advertising space, with search companies gobbling up ad firms like crazy. Google started it off by offering $3.1 billion to acquire online ad serving and ad exchange provider DoubleClick in April. The merger was kept in limbo most of the year due to privacy and antitrust concerns voiced by lawmakers, privacy advocates, and rivals like Microsoft.
Last week, however, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission gave its approval for the Google-DoubleClick deal. But the transaction is expected to be a tough sell in Europe, where regulators face an April 2 deadline for deciding.
Yahoo kicked off 2007 by acquiring Right Media, which runs an online ad exchange, and then later in the year it purchased
Microsoft spent a whopping $6 billion for online ad serving firm Aquantive in May, then
Not to be outdone, AOL
While trying to become an advertising powerhouse, Google also staked out turf in the mobile and wireless-spectrum areas in the hopes of broadening access to its Internet search and other services.
Following years of "Google Phone" speculation, the company in November finally launched the Android mobile-software platform and the Open Handset Alliance of device makers, carriers, and others who aim to create an ecosystem for next-generation Internet-enabled phones.
Later that month, Google submitted its application to bid on the Federal Communications Commission's auction of the 700MHz band wireless spectrum. Google executives have been mum about their plans for the spectrum should they win, but they have hinted that they would likely partner with a network service provider rather than build out a network on their own.
Google, meanwhile, was sued by Viacom for $1 billion for alleged copyright violations over pirated videos posted to its video-sharing site, YouTube. Seven months later, Google
While Google's search market share
Yang's promotion
In contrast, at Tech High, Google would definitely be voted "Most Ambitious" and "Most Likely to Succeed."
2007 Highlights
Viacom sues Google over YouTube clips
Media company seeks more than $1 billion in damages, claiming that nearly 160,000 unauthorized clips appear on video-sharing site.
Google buys ad firm DoubleClick for $3.1 billion
Deal boosts the search giant's banner advertising business, which lagged rival Yahoo's.
Google treads on PowerPoint turf
In his keynote address at Web 2.0 Expo, CEO Eric Schmidt shows off new Docs & Spreadsheets feature that lets users create presentations.
Microsoft to buy Aquantive for $6 billion
Spending spree on advertising companies continues, as the software giant issues a rejoinder to Google's plan to purchase DoubleClick.
Google Maps takes it to the streets
New street-level view in Google Maps shows panoramas and offers zoom-in feature to read signs.
Yang replaces Semel as Yahoo CEO
Terry Semel steps down one week after shareholders blast him over search company's financial performance.
Search engines race to update privacy policies
Microsoft and Yahoo are the latest to announce limits on how long they will keep Web search data.
Google remains king of search
Hitwise says Google has a nearly 64 percent share of the U.S. search market and Nielsen/NetRatings says it has a 54 percent share.
Google unveils YouTube antipiracy tool
New system uses image recognition to match pirated video with copyrighted clips. But copyright owners must provide reference video.
Google launches open APIs for social networks
Borrowing a page from Sun's Java playbook, Google is announcing a way for programmers to build social applications for multiple Web sites at once.
Google's shares pass $700 mark
Shares kiss the $700 mark in early morning trading Wednesday, marking a new first for the Internet giant and its soaring stock price.
Google unveils cell phone software and alliance
In much the same way it changed the wired Internet, Google plans to revolutionize the mobile Web through its new open software platform.
Yahoo settles lawsuit with jailed Chinese journalists
Settlement comes week after Congress tell Yahoo's Yang to settle suit filed by journalists after Yahoo provided information to Chinese govt.
Google versus the telecoms
If Google wins the 700MHz wireless spectrum auction in January, expect Google-branded phones galore.
FTC allows Google-DoubleClick merger to proceed
In a 4-1 vote, regulators give their blessing to the controversial union, despite outcry from competitors and privacy advocates.
Additional Headlines
Google suffers setback in copyright case
Microsoft: Use our search and we'll pay you
Google beats Microsoft, Coke in brand stakes
Google rises at Yahoo's expense
In ad wars, Yahoo aims for Right touch
Google creates uber search site
Yahoo opens Panama search platform