Software

Twitter second only to Google in the search stakes
The revelation that Twitter now delivers 24 billion searches each month puts the microblogging site well ahead of the Microsoft-Yahoo! partnership, representing the increasing demand for real-time search

Government spending freeze: There's (not) an app for that
ConLib coalition announces halt on certain government marketing initiatives after BBC discovers costs of several iPhone app developments

Mozilla releases Firefox 4 beta
The new and improved Firefox 4 has been released in its first beta form, with Mozilla keen to hear feedback from users

Social web means more than Facebook, says Google exec
Google's UK chief executive Matt Brittin was eager to discuss the possibilities of social networks in a recent interview - though remained tight-lipped about the rumours that Google may be developing its own network to rival Faceb

Facebook fan page saves Nigerian football team
President of Nigeria reconsiders two-year ban on country's World Cup squad after reading fan protests online

You make the news: Yahoo! Upshot turns searches into stories
Yahoo! has just announced The Upshot, a blog that will feature stories researched and written based on the queries sent to its parent site

Google nixes 'Nexus Two' plans
Google boss Eric Schmidt has told Nexus One users not to expect a successor - as the smartphone's success means no tweaking is needed.

Google strikes into travel search territory with software company acquiral
Search engines seeks expansion, creating further competition with Bing, as well as Expedia and other travel sites

US takes the wind out of pirate sites' sails
Federal government begins crackdown on streaming media sites by shuttering nine providers

Times websites now charging for news access
Readers of the Times and Sunday Times websites will be charged for access to news content from today, while the rest of the UK's print industry waits with baited breath.