Yahoo! updates its US search engine

The move marks an effort to step up to rivals Google, Microsoft and Ask,
which have all launched major search upgrades this year. Google, for
example, announced its new Universal Search service in May, integrating
results from its Books, Images, Local, News and Video search engines
into its main results.

Meanwhile, Ask revamped its search engine in June, with improved context
in its results, and images, video and locally relevant items. Last week,
Microsoft unveiled its new Live Search, with a larger index of web sites
and specialised content.

The improvements come as Yahoo!'s new executive team aims to boost
flagging morale in the Silicon Valley-based company. According to blog
reports, Jerry Yang, who replaced chief executive Terry Semel in June,
and Sue Decker, who was promoted to president at the same time, ran a
motivational day for 300 Yahoo! vice-presidents at its Sunnydale
headquarters.