Microsoft, Softbank in joint venture
Microsoft (MSFT), Yahoo (YHOO) and Softbank Corp. Wednesday said
they'll create a Japanese version of the MSN CarPoint online
service. The auto-shopping tool will be distributed through MSN
Japan and Yahoo! Japan, starting in the fourth quarter. "The
Japanese version of CarPoint will give auto manufacturers and
dealers the opportunity to showcase their products and services to
over 80 percent of the Internet audience in Japan," said
Microsoft's Bill Gates. Initial capital of the new company will be
$7 million, with 50 percent of its common stock owned by Softbank,
40 percent by Microsoft and 10 percent by Yahoo! Japan. Softbank
chairman Masayoshi Son will be CEO and president of the new
company.
ABC, AOL join for drug prevention
The director of the White House office of national drug control
policy announced two online areas to deliver anti-drug information
and resources. ABC's Freevibe.com includes entertainment news, and
information about teens' interests, such as what's up in
Hollywood, what's new at the movies, and what's hot at the music
store. In addition, the AOL Parents' Drug Resource Center was
created with Partnership for a Drug-Free America. It provides
resources for parents and other adults to help identify and
recognize kids who are at risk of drug abuse or using illicit
substances.
New Microsoft browser makes splash
Microsoft (MSFT) said its barely week-old browser has been
downloaded a million times. The company said the number of
transfers of its Internet Explorer 5.0 was more than three times
the volume after the previous version was released. Microsoft said
the download count was only on its Web sites, and did not include
those from more than 100 other sites also offering it. |
