Los Angeles-based SodaHead.com , an online site focused on a combination of news discussion and questions and answers, announced today that the firm has connected the site to Facebook, Twitter, and Yahoo. The new integration allows users to automatically post questions from the site to a Twitter feed and Facebook status updates, or distribute them to Yahoo's contact lists. Tags: According to the site, it has added the ability for users to automatically distribute questions and news articles to their online friends and followers, by providing login information to their social ntweorking accounts.

In a major deal, search portal provider Yahoo and software giant Microsoft said that the two companies are in a deal where Yahoo will replace its own search engine technology with that of Microsoft--with potentially huge repercussions to Yahoo's Southern California search engine marketing operations. Yahoo and Microsoft said that Yahoo will use the technology behind Microsoft's Bing search engine to power all of the web search aspects of its web site, with Yahoo taking over premium search advertising sales for Microsoft. The two specifically said, in an oblique reference to Google, that the move would provide an alternative to advertisers, so that they no longer to have "rely on one company that dominates more than 70 percent of all search."

San Diego-based DivX reported Wednesday that it has reached a settlement with Internet portal Yahoo!, DivX sued Yahoo in November of 2008, after Yahoo backed out of a deal to offer its toolbar to users who downloaded video software from DivX. READ MORE>> ...Tags: Tags: divx yahoo toolbar lawsuit legal contrac over a contract dispute concerning a cobranded Toolbar deal made between the firms in September of 2007. The firm said the settlement would boost its earnings by $0.29

A 12 - year veteran of the online world, he has worked in sales, business development and content partnership functions for Yahoo!, He has a practice focused on complex software and internet transactions for an international base of technology and other clients, as well as on government relations and international policy and enforcement issues affecting the copyright industries. He is a former chairman of the Business Software Alliance, and currently Just a quick note that I'll be moderating a Technology Council Event : Social Networking as a Business Strategy May 19, 2009 - Culver City Social networking media are used on a daily basis to grow businesses and expand career opportunities.

San Diego-based VMIX is eyeing customers of Maven Networks, a provider of video hosting owned by Yahoo, saying Wednesday that it will help customers of Maven to migrate to VMIX. Yahoo said earlier this week that it would discontinue the services offered by Maven Networks, which it acquired back in February of 2008. VMIX offers its own white-label software for hosting and managing online video. VMIX said it is offering to migrate hosting and delivery of media to former Maven Networks customers to VMIX, without any transfer or setup fees. READ MORE>> ...Tags:

The firm said Studenmund also has served as PayMyBills.com and First Interstate Bank, in addition to her time at Overture Services and Yahoo. Tags: passenger brand community online software executive overture yaho Los Angeles-based Passenger , which operates online communities for major brands, said today that it has named Jaynie Miller Studenmund to the firm's board of directors. Studenmund is an advisor focused on startups, rapid growth, turnaround, and merger and acquisition, and was previously Chief Operating Officer at Overture.

Santa Monica-based Topspin Media , the developer of music and band marketing software headed by former Yahoo Music GM Ian Rogers, said over the weekend that it has added Andrew Mains as its new VP Artist Relations and Services. Topspin is developing software tools to help musicians market and distribute their music. Tags: topspin media Mains was Head of New Media at Interscope Records. The firm said that Mains will help artists find their way to the firm's platform.

Los Angeles-based Leads360 reported today that it has linked its sales lead management software with offerings from web-based mortgage software firm Optimal Blue . Leads360 said that its software--used to manage sales leads from online channels--will help mortgage lenders using Optimal Blue's software to close the gap between leads and revenue. Leads360 is backed by Rustic Canyon Partners, Business details of the integration were not announced. Leads360 was founded by Jeff Solomon.

Los Angeles-based Stamps.com is furthering its focus on online stories, saying today that it has linked its product to the e-commerce payment systems for Amazon.com Pro Merchant, Yahoo Merchant, Google Checkout, and Paypal. According to Stamps.com, the firm's software now allows web store managers to process, manage, and ship orders from "virtually any" e-commerce source. The new additions come on top of an existing push by Stamps.com to cater to eBay merchants. Stamps.com recently started looking back into the eBay shipping market, saying in early October that it would waive service

Venice, California-based Topspin , a developer of software focused on helping musicians market and distribute their work, launched an upgrade to its product Wednesday at the SXSW festival. The firm said that it has commercially released its software, which helps artists generate demand from fans via direct marketing, social networking and other online channels, widgets, as well as email campaigns. However, the firm still isn't taking just any artists, however, explaining it is still in "invite mode" on which artists can use its products. The company has previously rolled out the