Yahoo launches Axis 'search browser'

May 24, 2012 -- Updated 1559 GMT (2359 HKT) | Filed under: Web

Yahoo's Axis browser delivers thumbnail images instead of text for search results.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Yahoo launches Axis, a "search browser" with a focus on mobile
• Axis returns search results as thumbnails of the actual Web pages
• Yahoo currently has about 16% of the Web search market
• Google and Microsoft's Bing also are working on innovations

(CNN) -- Yahoo has joined the browser wars with Axis, its very own tool designed to enhance its search with a clear eye toward the rapidly expanding mobile Web.

Axis, the company announced late Wednesday, is a stand-alone app currently available for Apple mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad and on desktops as an add-on to established browsers like Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

Yahoo special project director Ethan Batraski wrote on the company's search blog that "with a mobile-first focus," the company "set out to completely re-think and re-design how users search and browse the Web."

The result was Axis, a visual-rich tool that aims to combine searching and browsing into one experience. On mobile devices, a query returns thumbnail images of actual Web pages instead of a list of links. People can use the touchscreen to scroll and choose a page.

Why can't Yahoo keep a CEO?

Early reviews have been positive for the mobile version of the tool, which addresses the rising percentage of time Web users spend accessing the Internet on phones and tablets.

"Mobile is where the action is, so it makes sense that Yahoo threw the bulk of its development love into the tablet and smartphone versions," wrote CNET's Rafe Needleman. "On the iPad, Axis is simply a great browser. The integrated search feature is intuitive, and being able to move through search results without having to go back to search makes sense. After only a few minutes using it I thought, Why hasn't Google done this yet? It's that good."

A pull-down feature lets users flip back and forth between a Web page and their search results. It also features search bookmarking and integration with Pinterest.

Users can also integrate Axis among multiple devices, saving a personal homepage and searches on phone, tablet and desktop computers. The tool's main page also shows "trending" searches at any given time.

On the desktop version, Axis appears as a small search box in the bottom left corner of the browser window, allowing people to keep using whatever browser they like.

The unveiling of Axis comes as Yahoo is trying to jockey for position among the big three of Web search -- Google, Microsoft's Bing and Yahoo Search.

Google controls about 64% of the search market, according to March numbers from Experian Hitwise. Yahoo (which is powered by Bing) had about 16% of the market, while Bing itself accounted for another 14%.

E.B. Boyd, of Fast Company, writes that the release of Axis marks a new charge in the browser wars, as all three companies work to revamp, and redefine, Web search.

Boyd wrote:

"The three leaders in this space have each realized that the conventional paradigms for search, architected over a decade ago when bandwidth was low, few people used the Web for more than research, and almost all computing was done at desktops, no longer work in an age of mobile apps, multiple devices, big data, and ever greater expectation on the part of the consumer that working online is about getting things done, not just perusing documents."

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Russian man jumps in chute to escape girlfriend

It is not clear why the man went to such lengths to avoid his girlfriend

A man in central Russia had to be rescued by emergency workers from a rubbish chute after he jumped into it to hide from his girlfriend.

He plunged three floors from the eighth floor of an apartment building in Tyumen, Siberia, before getting stuck. Residents then heard the 31-year-old man's cries for help.
Rescue workers had to use tools to cut him free. He was not seriously hurt.
He had had a row with his girlfriend, officials said, without elaborating.
Soviet-era buildings in Russia frequently have a metal rubbish chute in the stairwell, with a latch opening on each floor.
Tyumen emergency service officials contacted by the BBC said the incident happened late on Wednesday, but the man is already back at work.
"According to the 31-year-old victim, he jumped into the metal chute on the eighth floor to escape his girlfriend," a statement on the service's website said.
The officials said there had been a similar incident in Tyumen a few years ago, again with a happy outcome.

Ferdinand to be Left Out of England’s Euro 2012 Squad

Rio Ferdinand, captained England before his injury

England manager, Roy Hodgson is set to omit Rio Ferdinand from his squad for Euro 2012 while fellow defender Kyle Walker misses out through injury.

Ferdinand, 33, has not played for the national side since the 2-2 draw with Switzerland in June last year, reports the BBC.

The 23-man squad will be named at 13:00 BST on Wednesday.

It is understood that Chelsea defender, John Terry, who was stripped of the captaincy for a second time in February, will be included.

Former England captain, Ferdinand has been hampered by back problems in recent years but made 30 Premier League appearances this season, the most times he has featured in a campaign since 2007-08.

But his club manager Sir Alex Ferguson said recently: "You play something like a game every four days. Rio Ferdinand couldn't do that."

Ferdinand's situation was also complicated by an ongoing issue involving Terry.

Chelsea defender Terry lost the England captaincy in February after allegations that he racially abused Ferdinand's brother, QPR defender Anton. He denies the charges and is scheduled to stand trial in July.

Former coach, Fabio Capello publicly criticised the Football Association's decision to remove Terry of the captaincy - a turn of events that led Capello to resign.

Ferdinand, who has never played in a European Championship and won the first of 81 caps in 1997, was given the England armband in February 2010 after Terry was removed from the role for the first time following allegations about his private life.

But the United defender suffered a knee ligament injury in England's first training session in South Africa ahead of the World Cup and missed the tournament.

Ferdinand's subsequent unavailability saw Capello pass the captaincy back to Terry in March last year.

Tottenham full-back Walker, 21, won his two England caps in November last year, but sustained a toe problem in the 2-0 victory over Fulham at the weekend.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp had initially suggested that Walker's injury was minor and that he would be fit to link up with Hodgson's squad.

Hodgson has also decided to cancel the planned training camp in Malaga and the squad will now meet up in England next week.

They head to Norway for Hodgson's first game in charge on 26 May before their final warm-up friendly against Belgium at Wembley on 2 June.

England kicks off Euro 2012 against France on 11 June and also face Sweden and Ukraine in the group phase.

Cove Energy PLC - OFFSHORE AREA 1 MOZAMBIQUE UPDATE

Cove Offshore Area 1 Mozambique activities continue

Cove Energy plc ("the Company" or "Cove", AIM:COV), the AIM quoted upstream oil and gas company, announces an update on activities in their 8.5 per cent participating interest in the Mozambique Offshore Area 1 block ("Rovuma Area 1").

Cove reports that the latest appraisal well, Lagosta 2 (7.4km north of Lagosta 1), has spudded on 11 December 2011 and it is planned that this well will be completed towards late January 2012.

In line with its stated strategy Cove has opened a data room to certain parties who expressed an interest in Cove's participation in the Rovuma Area 1 project.

Early stage discussions with major LNG off-takers in the Asian and European markets are currently taking place to secure long term commercial contracts for the planned production from the Rovuma Area 1 project.

The Rovuma Area 1 partners also announced that long term drill ship capacity had been secured to continue the high impact appraisal, testing and exploration programme in the block to increase the recoverable gas resource beyond the current range estimate of 15 to 30+ trillion cubic feet.

UK Takeover Panel

The Company stated on 2 February 2010 that steps would be taken to clarify the applicability of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") to Cove. The requisite steps have now been taken, and following further discussions with the Takeover Panel, Cove can confirm that it is now the view of the Takeover Panel that the Code presently applies to the Company.

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

Cove Energy plc

John Craven, CEO

c/o Billy Clegg Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113

Cenkos Securities (Berlin: CCE.BE - news)

Jon Fitzpatrick Tel: +44 (0)20 7397 8900

Ken Fleming Tel: +44 (0)131 220 9772

FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN - news)

Billy Clegg / Edward Westropp Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113

John Craven, Chief Executive Officer of Cove, and a qualified person as defined in the Guidance Note for Mining (Euronext: SMI.NX - news) , Oil and Gas Companies, March 2006, of the London Stock Exchange (LSE: LSE.L - news) , has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this announcement. Mr Craven is a petroleum geologist with approximately 37 years' experience.

Notes to Editors:

Cove has established a strong position in East Africa with exploration interests in Area 1 Offshore Mozambique, which contains the Windjammer, Barquentine, Lagosta, Tubarão and Camarão gas and Ironclad oil discoveries where drilling operations are planned to continue through 2012.

Cove also holds exploration and production interests in Mozambique Onshore, Kenya Offshore and in the Mnazi Bay Gas Field in Tanzania. Cove Energy has a strong management team with a wealth of experience in the oil and gas business and the operation and management of companies in the public arena. Michael Blaha, Executive Chairman and formerly Country Chairman for Royal Dutch Shell Group in Algeria, is a Petroleum Engineer with thirty one years industry experience, his entire career spent working at Shell (LSE: RDSB.L - news) . John Craven, Chief Executive Officer was previously CEO and founder of Petroceltic International plc, and is a petroleum geologist with thirty six years experience in senior technical and commercial roles in upstream oil and gas exploration and production companies.www.cove-energy.com

Today's Scripture: Titus 3

Today's Scripture: Titus 3 

¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

²To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

³For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

⁴But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

⁹But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

¹⁰A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

¹¹Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

¹²When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

¹³Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

¹⁴And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

¹⁵All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

 

What is the Meaning of this Text?     bedience to magistrates, and becoming behaviour towards all, are enforced from what believers were before conversion, and what they are made, through Christ. (1-7) Good works to be done, and useless disputes avoided. (8-11) Directions and exhortations. (12-15) Verses 1-7: Spiritual privileges do not make void or weaken, but confirm civil duties. Mere good words and good meanings are not enough without good works. They were not to be quarrelsome, but to show meekness on all occasions, not toward friends only, but to all men, though with wisdom, (Jam 3:13). And let this text teach us how wrong it is for a Christian to be churlish to the worst, weakest, and most abject. The servants of sin have many masters, their lusts hurry them different ways; pride commands one thing, covetousness another. Thus they are hateful, deserving to be hated. It is the misery of sinners, that they hate one another; and it is the duty and happiness of saints to love one another. And we are delivered out of our miserable condition, only by the mercy and free grace of God, the merit and sufferings of Christ, and the working of his Spirit. God the Father is God our Saviour. He is the fountain from which the Holy Spirit flows, to teach, regenerate, and save his fallen creatures; and this blessing comes to mankind through Christ. The spring and rise of it, is the kindness and love of God to man. Love and grace have, through the Spirit, great power to change and turn the heart to God. Works must be in the saved, but are not among the causes of their salvation. A new principle of grace and holiness is wrought, which sways, and governs, and makes the man a new creature. Most pretend they would have heaven at last, yet they care not for holiness now; they would have the end without the beginning. Here is the outward sign and seal thereof in baptism, called therefore the washing of regeneration. The work is inward and spiritual; this is outwardly signified and sealed in this ordinance. Slight not this outward sign and seal; yet rest not in the outward washing, but look to the answer of a good conscience, without which the outward washing will avail nothing. The worker therein is the Spirit of God; it is the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Through him we mortify sin, perform duty, walk in God's ways; all the working of the Divine life in us, and the fruits of righteousness without, are through this blessed and holy Spirit. The Spirit and his saving gifts and graces, come through Christ, as a Saviour, whose undertaking and work are to bring to grace and glory. Justification, in the gospel sense, is the free forgiveness of a sinner; accepting him as righteous through the righteousness of Christ received by faith. God, in justifying a sinner in the way of the gospel, is gracious to him, yet just to himself and his law. As forgiveness is through a perfect righteousness, and satisfaction is made to justice by Christ, it cannot be merited by the sinner himself. Eternal life is set before us in the promise; the Spirit works faith in us, and hope of that life; faith and hope bring it near, and fill with joy in expectation of it. Verses 8-11: When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls. Verses 12-15: Christianity is not a fruitless profession; and its professors must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They must be doing good, as well as keeping away from evil. Let "ours" follow some honest labour and employment, to provide for themselves and their families. Christianity obliges all to seek some honest work and calling, and therein to abide with God. The apostle concludes with expressions of kind regard and fervent prayer. Grace be with you all; the love and favour of God, with the fruits and effects thereof, according to need; and the increase and feeling of them more and more in your souls. This is the apostle's wish and prayer, showing his affection to them, and desire for their good, and would be a means of obtaining for them, and bringing down on them, the thing requested. Grace is the chief thing to be wished and prayed for, with respect to ourselves or others; it is "all good." .

How can We Apply this Scripture to our Life?   In our Bible Study here in the book of Titus we have made application in Titus chapter 1 for the Right Leadership in the Church, in Chapter 2 our responsibility to live right in the Church, and here in Chapter 3 to Obey Government, Avoid useless arguments. We all have a responsibility to live what we study in the scriptures. To not just hear the Word but Obey and live it out in every decision we make. Keeping the main thing, the main thing, Sharing what God did for us through His Son. Once we learn it, we live it, then teach it to the next generation. I have heard of Churches splitting because of the color of the carpet in a building plan. I have heard of Christians not paying their taxes. Fighting within the Church for anything and everything. Be tolerant of believers for their standards and level of their Christian growth. It is really simple, get saved, share Christ, and love others as Christ has loved us. Keep the main thing the main thing.