Google Integrates YouTube in Video Search

Google has announced that it has started integrating its video sharing site, YouTube, with its video search function. This means, users will be able to see YouTube video results in the Google Video search index, by clicking on YouTube thumbnails, which will appear alongside the search results. Google says that over time, Google Video aims to become more comprehensive as it will evolve into a service where users can search for the world's online video content, irrespective of where it may be hosted. For example, users who type in a search item, will get results in the form of text, images as well as videos, in one go.

The search giant also declared that YouTube, will remain an independent subsidiary of Google, and will continue to operate separately, although Google will support YouTube by providing access to search and monetization platforms. The company says, "We also envision YouTube benefiting from future Google Video innovations, especially those involving video search, monetization and distribution. Today represents just the first step in our plan to bring users worldwide a comprehensive video search and content platform."

Google has also started integrating Google Maps with its Book Search engine, which has been in news over the controversial clash with a section of authors, publishers and critics. The Book search engine is being designed to allow users to plot on maps, references to places they find in books. Book entries in Google's Book Search may now include a section called 'Places mentioned in this book' which includes a map from the Google Maps service. This feature is said to have pins that indicate places included in the text. Below the map, is a list with the name of the places, linked to the pages in which they are mentioned, and an excerpt from the text.

David Petrou, Software Engineer for Google wrote in the Google Blog, "Our team has begun to animate the static information found in books by organizing a sample of locations from them on an interactive Google Map, with snippets of text from the book, and links to the actual pages where the locations are mentioned. When our automatic techniques determine that there are a good number of quality locations from a book to show you, you'll find a map on the 'About this book' page."

Some books whose entries include this new feature are Jules Verne's "Around the World in Eighty Days", Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" and Charles Sanford Terry's "Bach: A Biography". He says he hopes this feature helps users plan their next trip, research an area for academic purposes, or visualize the haunts of their favorite fictional characters.