Research firm IHS iSuppli took apart a Google Nexus 7 tablet and estimates the device, which will retail at $249, costs Asus about $159.25 to manufacture. The tablet offers a 1,280 by 800 pixel resolution display. It uses a technology called in-plane switching, which added $38 to the hardware cost. Tablets have the processing power of laptop computers, but act similar to a smartphone. Apparently Google's in-demand device has Amazon considering whether or not to stock it in its online store. Meanwhile, Staples has begun taking preorders for the Google tablet.

Econsultancy published the Online Measurement and Strategy Report with help from Lynchpin, asking marketers whether they had a framework for analyzing attribution from online to offline media. The findings reveal that those with a strategy in place declined from 22% to 19%. The 84-page report is based on a survey of 700 client- and supply-side marketers. It's no wonder that marketers stuggle to perform attribution. Of the companies surveyed, 30% stated they had no dedicated employees to analyze Web data -- up from 22% in 2010. Some 31% said they had only one Web analyst.

What does the discovery of the "God Particle" have to do with search engine optimization? Not much -- other than the two are linked through discoveries at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Sir Tim Berners Lee developed the World Wide Web (WWW) at CERN. Online marketers know they would have chosen another career if not for the WWW. The Next Web links to the press release and explains the Higgs boson particle, part of The Standard Model of particle physics theory, a set of rules describing how scientists understand the building blocks for the universe.

Adam Audette presents another view on using robots.txt file applications. He lays out the two typical opposing schools of thought before offering up insight and five best practices into his own. The advice ranges from never using the robots.txt file to handle duplicate content to never using robots.txt to omit URLs from being displayed in Google's search engine.

George Michie brings up some concerns around performance-based pricing linked to a new way to do Web site conversion optimization. The model, supported by dynamic creative and machine learning, presents a new way to continually optimize against unaltered Web pages where the advertiser only pays a percentage of the lift in conversion. Michie reveals and shares some downsides to the model, from latency to redundant practices.

Since last fall, Google has closed or combined more than 30 of its products. Earlier this week, the company listed several sevices it would shuttter. On that latest list marketers will find the closure of iGoogle on Nov. 1, Google Talkchat, and Symbian Search App to focus efforts on mobile Web search. Matt Eichner explains the situation and provides alternatives for the listed apps.

Google and Facebook each used different methods to determine the Internet users whose machines might be affected by the DNSChanger infection. The malware would prevent computer users from accessing the Internet. Experts estimate the malware could pose challenges for about 300,000 computers. In a series of questions and answers, Symantec analysts explain DNS settings, how the malware works, and why thousands of computers could be redirected or taken offline.

Google Now, the Mountain View, Calif. company's personal assistant, will debut later this month along with Android 4.1, Jelly Bean. It serves up information on the phone running Google's operating system related to weather, traffic, appointments, travel, flights, public transit, places, and sports. Based on current location and Web history, the service provides information like traffic conditions and alternate routes before leaving the house for work. For example, when near a subway station, Google Now serves up information on the next trains.

How can SEO experts prepare for the 2012 holidays? Greenlight put together an interactive digital Advent Calendar and jingle to explain. The company will give away 10 tips and prizes, revealing one per day. The "Don't Spam!" sits at the top of the company's SEO tip list. Not because people find it annoying -- but rather, if companies do they might find Matt Cutts and his Web spam team blocking their online door.

What will search engines look like in 10 years? Will they integrate so tightly into apps that the average person won't know they exist? Most in the industry have their view on the future of the technology, but Bing Director Stefan Weitz recently shared his with The Ecomonic Times and at the TEDxParkerSchool conference. A decade-long veteran of Microsoft, Stefan led the strategy to develop the next-generation MSN portal and developed Microsoft's muni Wi-Fi strategy. "Reorganize the Web to enable people to express themselves in a natural manner and get their tasks accomplished," he told Shea Homes.