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Is Google looking to compete with Apple in the consumer hardware business? Even before the Google-branded Nexus One smartphone has been officially announced, news comes that Google is preparing a muscular Chrome OS-based netbook for release in 2010.

On Wednesday, Yahoo launched a new twist in search advertising -- video. Unlike traditional search results that show just text and links, Yahoo's Rich Ads in Search let marketers display banners and boxes with images and videos.

Yahoo, known for its strength in display advertising, is showing its muscle with this hybrid model that combines the best of sponsored search ads with videos.

According to Greg Sterling, principal analyst at Sterling Market Intelligence, Yahoo's Rich Ads in Search brings search and branding together in a potent way.

Although a large Internet service provider has backed away from technology that tracks subscribers' Web use in order to deliver personalized advertising, two other broadband companies said Wednesday they are still considering whether to deploy it.

Phone companies Embarq Corp. and CenturyTel Inc. have both completed trials of the same tracking system, from online advertising company NebuAd Inc., and are now considering whether to proceed.

The onslaught of cell phone calls, e-mail and instant messages is fracturing attention spans and hurting productivity. It is a common complaint. But now the very companies that helped create the flood are trying to mop it up.

Some of the biggest technology firms, including Microsoft, Intel, Google and IBM, are banding together to fight information overload.

Last week they formed a nonprofit group to study the problem, publicize it and devise ways to help workers -- theirs and others -- cope with the digital deluge.