links for 2005-12-17

Google may pay $1 billion for a 5 percent stake in America Online as part of an exclusive deal with Time Warner that would strengthen ties with the search giant instead of dumping Google for Microsoft

(tags: Google AOL Microsoft Competition Business)

Google on Thursday launched a new service intended to give searchers fast links to song lyrics, musical artists and CD titles on the main search results page

(tags: Google Music Search Apple iTunes)

In a sense it all started with Google’s IPO in August 2004, the success of which was a positive and affirming lead-in to 2005. We then witnessed a renaissance of startup activity, acquisitions and intense VC interest in the Web throughout the year

(tags: 2005 Web2.0 Web Top technology)

But the question, when looking at those is why is Google interested in areas that don’t seem that close to search: the truth is that they are closely tied to Google’s business model, even though it’s not totally clear on a first look

(tags: Extensions Firefox Google Search Phishing Privacy)

Web 2.0 is an term referring to the ongoing transition to a full participatory Web, with participation including both humans and machines

(tags: Web2.0 Reference Lens Squidoo Internet Information)