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Facebook ‘now linked into the largest commerce ecosystem’

eBay announced yesterday at Innovate, its developer conference, it will integrate Facebook’s Open Graph 2.0 into its global commerce systems to create social shopping experiences. These systems will be part of X.commerce , a new business unit that also includes PayPal and Magento. “Facebook is now linked into the largest commerce ecosystem,” X.commerce’s vice president and general manager Matthew Mengerink said. This is significant because it allows Facebook access to eBay’s 25 million sellers and 97 million users, who make an estimated $60 billion worth of transactions on its site annually. “Technology is changing the way consumers shop, and eBay Inc.’s integration with Facebook will make shopping social for consumers and retailers worldwide,” Mengerink said in a statement. “Retailers and developers need a technology-driven global commerce partner to help them engage and connect with consumers anytime, anywhere.

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Facebook ‘now linked into the largest commerce ecosystem’

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Google takes real-time search (and Eric Schmidt) to Google+

Google may have looked as though it was already firing on all social cylinders with the launch of Facebook-rival Google+, it’s +1 button and an improved Google+ app for mobile. But Mountain View’s taking its social initiative even further by bring real-time search (and former boss man Eric Schmidt) to Google+. According to CNet.com, Eric Schmidt joined Google+ just as the firm added real-time search to the social network, which gives users the functionality to watch a live feed of Google+ activity around a searched-for subject. The update also integrates Twitter-like hashtags to make it easier for users to search for interesting content feeds. In an official Google blog post, Vic Gundotra, the senior vice president of Google+, explained that users would now benefit from real-time search and improved hashtag support, which should allow them to better follow breaking news, sporting events and similar interest items on Google+. Even though the development has widely been tipped as a natural progression (search is Google’s core business after all) and an extension of Google’s September social search updates , some tech pundits have speculated that the move has been designed to specifically hurt both Facebook and Twitter. It could be a prescient dig at the social duo, especially as Facebook streamed its first football match this year and as Twitter established itself as a go-to breaking-news source following the assassination of Osama Bin Laden

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Google takes real-time search (and Eric Schmidt) to Google+

make-it-easier

Google Acquires Flight Information Software Company

Google announced last week that the U.S. Department of Justice approved its acquisition of ITA Software, a flight information software company. While the search giant announced plans to acquire the company nearly a year ago, it will finally begin bringing its teams and products together to make it easier for users to find better flight information online.

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Google Acquires Flight Information Software Company