Google has acquired a new technology it says will offer users instant answers to certain queries without the need to go to another Web site. The world's leading search engine reportedly beat out bids
from rivals Microsoft and Yahoo for the technology, which was developed at the University of New South Wales in Australia. The algorithm reportedly gives the user relevant information without having
to go to a Web site by displaying queries in the form of expandable text extracts. It was developed by 26-year-old Ph.D. student Ori Allon, who is now said to have moved to Google's headquarters in
Silicon Valley to develop the algorithm further. Google has not announced the acquisition, but the university released a press note last year, in which it claimed the technology could revolutionize
search. The Australian university will retain the rights to the technology as it was developed within its research facilities.
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