Huawei and FotoNation Strengthen Partnership with Collaboration on Latest Smartphones

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

FotoNation Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tessera Technologies, Inc. (TSRA) and the leading provider of computational imaging solutions for mobile phones and digital still cameras, and Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced that Huawei will use FotoNation’s FotoSavvy™ beautification algorithms in the cameras of its latest premium smartphones, the P8 and Honor 7, as well as additional upcoming models.
“The capability and quality of a smartphone's camera is increasingly becoming a key criteria for users evaluating these devices," said Gang He, President of Huawei mobile phone product line. "We consistently strive to provide our users with the best photography experience. FotoNation is a leader in the digital imaging space with a deep understanding of our devices. Implementing FotoNation technology in the P8, Honor 7, and other handsets is a critical step toward a simpler and more intuitive mobile camera experience."
FotoNation's beautification algorithms identify and interpret scene-influencing factors like light, color, gender and age when shooting still images or videos, and seamlessly adjusts settings to achieve the best possible picture. The increasing use of front-facing cameras to take 'selfies,' along with the shortcomings of existing technologies in the marketplace, drove the development of Perfect Selfie in the P8, as well as the beautification solutions in the Honor 7.
"Huawei is a world leader in the smartphone industry with a relentless drive to improve and innovate, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership with them as they set the course for the future of this market," said Sumat Mehra, SVP of marketing and business development at FotoNation. "We have demonstrated our ability to customize our technology to fully take advantage of the Huawei handsets’ mobile imaging capabilities. This allows us to jointly deliver the best possible photography experience to the end user."
FotoNation’s face-and-eye detection and tracking technologies, already found in 60% of tier-one smartphones, represent the foundation of our beautification suite of products. As part of the FotoSavvy™ product family, our beautification technology aims to change the way users experience mobile photography.
Safe Harbor Statement
This document contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those projected, particularly with respect to the characteristics, benefits, and features of FotoNation technologies and the use of such technologies and the timing of implementation of such technologies in Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. smartphones. Material factors that may cause results to differ from the statements made include the plans or operations relating to the businesses of Tessera Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”); market or industry conditions; changes in patent laws, regulation or enforcement, or other factors that might affect the Company's ability to protect or realize the value of its intellectual property; the expiration of license agreements and the cessation of related royalty income; the failure, inability or refusal of licensees to pay royalties; initiation, delays, setbacks or losses relating to the Company's intellectual property or intellectual property litigations, or invalidation or limitation of key patents; fluctuations in operating results due to the timing of new license agreements and royalties, or due to legal costs; the risk of a decline in demand for semiconductors and products utilizing FotoNation technologies; failure by the industry to use technologies covered by the Company's patents; the expiration of the Company's patents; the Company's ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions of businesses; the risk of loss of, or decreases in production orders from, customers of acquired businesses; financial and regulatory risks associated with the international nature of the Company's businesses; failure of the Company's products to achieve technological feasibility or profitability; failure to successfully commercialize the Company's products; changes in demand for the products of the Company's customers; limited opportunities to license technologies due to high concentration in the markets for semiconductors and related products and smartphone imaging; and the impact of competing technologies on the demand for the Company's technologies. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, include more information about factors that could affect the Company's financial results. The Company assumes no obligation to update information contained in this press release. Although this release may remain available on the Company's website or elsewhere, its continued availability does not indicate that the Company is reaffirming or confirming any of the information contained herein.
About FotoNation
FotoNation is giving life to computational imaging by merging technology with emotion. With technology in more than 60 percent of global tier-1 smartphones, FotoNation develops technologies that serve the computational imaging space for handsets and cameras, as well as the automotive, surveillance, security, and augmented reality markets. We create, innovate and deliver the next generation of computational imaging algorithms. We engineer new ways to reach the highest possible performance while keeping system requirements to a minimum. We have a long history of innovating and advancing the state of the art in image processing. More than a decade ago, we were the first to integrate a computational imaging solution in an embedded mobile device. Today, FotoNation remains the leader in computational photography and computer vision. Nearly two billion digital cameras and smart devices are powered by the imaging technologies designed by the sharp minds and passionate hearts of FotoNation engineers. For more information visit www.fotonation.com.

About Huawei Consumer Business Group

By 2014, Huawei’s products and services have covered more than 170 countries, and a third of the world’s population. Huawei’s shipments of smartphones ranked third in the world in 2014. Huawei has 16 R&D centers have been set up in the US, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India, and China. Huawei Consumer Business Group is one of three businesses within Huawei, covering smartphones, mobile broadband devices, home devices and cloud services. Based on more than 20 years of Huawei’s expertise in the telecom industry, built on Huawei’s global network, worldwide operations and business partners, Huawei Consumer Business Group is dedicated to providing the latest technology to the consumers and bringing the joy of technological advances to people all around the world. Huawei acts on its word and fulfills dreams. For more information please visit: www.consumer.huawei.com

How Inmarsat is helping achieving very high dreams!

How Inmarsat set New world record for Guo Chuan Racing

 

On the 16th of September 2015, Inmarsat congratulates Guo Chuan and his five crew from Germany, France and Russia, on successfully sailing non-stop in a racing trimaran for the first time in history, through the Arctic Ocean Northeast passage.
Taking just 13 days to complete the journey, the Guo Chuan Racing team sailed across 3,240 nautical miles of treacherous waters, from Murmansk to the Bering Straits, encountering strong winds, growlers, icebergs and extreme cold weather conditions along the way.
Throughout the adventure, Inmarsat and MCN Beijing provided Guo with vital mobile satellite connectivity and safety services, via Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband 250 and FleetBroadband 500 flagship voice and broadband date service, and an Inmarsat IsatPhone handheld mobile satellite phone.

In touch

This enabled the crew to maintain constant contact with the onshore support team, share regular updates and photos of their journey on Twitter, Facebook and the challenge website, and stay in touch with family back home.
This was especially important for French crew member Quentin Monegier, who was able to make a phone call home to find he was the proud father of a new baby boy, and receive a photo of his son, thanks to Inmarsat’s connectivity.
“I feel very proud of myself and my crew. It is a challenging and tough journey, especially when we were surrounded by ice and gusts under the extreme cold weather,” said Guo.

Iconic figurehead

“The boat was bumping like a roller-coaster sometimes and seemed totally out of control. For several times, when we were in a very difficult situation, I suspected whether we could go further. But thanks to our determination and all the brave and excellent crew, we overcame the difficult time together and finally made it.”
Guo is the first professional offshore sailor in China and an iconic figurehead in his country. He is also the first Chinese ‘peace champion’ for Peace and Sport, a global initiative which works to promote sport as a tool for peace.
Guo’s impressive sailing achievements include participating in the Clipper Round the World Race in 2006 and completing the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 edition.
In addition, he set the world record for a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in a Class 40 monohull in 2013, and Inmarsat was proud to have supported him on this inaugural challenge too.

MICROSOFT DECLARES WAR ON SCAMMERS

It is war on tech support scammers as Microsofts declares war on tech support who pretend to be representatives of the company.

 

 Microsoft is suing alleged scammers who phone up people under the pretense of representing the firm and offer bogus technology support. The callers ask to take over a home computer and demand money to fix it. Some then install viruses as well.

The software company said it had received more than 65,000 complaints about tech support scams since May.
It is taking legal action against several firms it accuses of misusing its name in such cases.
Fake ads The scam has been around for decades with callers peddling useless security software and tricking people into spending hundreds of pounds (or dollars) to solve non-existent computer problems.
Increasingly, the bogus technicians are gaining access to people's computers remotely.
From there they can also steal personal and financial information and install malware.
In some cases people are tricked into signing up for support via fake web ads. Others receive a direct telephone call from a technician claiming to represent Microsoft.
Microsoft has warned that scammers are likely to be active over the Christmas period.
"The holiday season is a popular time for scammers as more people engage in online activities, including shopping, donating to charity and searching for travel deals," it said.
Older victims Older people needed to be particularly vigilant, it said.
"Tech support scammers don't discriminate; they will go after anyone, but not surprisingly senior citizens have been among the most vulnerable."

The US Federal Trade Commission filed a legal case in Florida last month against a company that used adverts to scare people into believing their computer had a virus and then sell them allegedly worthless services.
In the UK, National Trading Standards has recently taken legal action against a man from Luton who hired people at an Indian call centre to falsely tell people their computers had a serious problem.
Mohammed Khalid Jamil was given a four-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay £5,665 compensation and £13,929 in prosecution costs.
Below are tips issued by Microsoft to help users avoid falling for such scams.
It reads:

• Ask if there is a fee or subscription for the services. If there is, hang up

• Never give control of your computer to the third party unless you can confirm it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team at a company of which you are already a customer

• Take the caller's information down and immediately report it to your local authorities

• Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.

APPLE iWATCH for real!

Behold class and style! Yes, in just a couple of weeks come 2015, Apple will release the much anticipated i Watches in different gorgeous designs. The watches all Apple's new "Taptic engine" also improves the mapping experience too, buzzing users with different vibrations when they need to turn left or right. This feature can also be used to send fellow Apple Watch wearers a nudge, and for notification alerts.

On the software side of things, the Apple Watch also comes with Siri baked-in, allowing users to bark commands at their wrist. On-screen typing will not be supported, due to the device's small screen size.

 

In terms of physical specifications, the Apple Watch boasts a Retina display resolution, and also comes with a feature called "Force Touch," which means the screen knows how hard you are pressing it. The screen also comes with a toughened sapphire glass on top, which means it should be difficult to break.

 

There's also Bluetooth 4.0 support, WiFi and Magsafe wireless charging support included, and the two models measure in at 38mm and 42mm, respectively.

Apple's Watch, as rumours had suggested, come stuffed full of health and fitness senors too, and is capable of measuring a users heart rate and body movements. This all comes baked in to Apple's new Activity and Workout apps, where users can also count calories and set personal goals.
The Apple Watch collection features highly polished stainless steel and space black stainless steel cases. The display is protected by sapphire crystal. And there’s a choice of three different leather bands, a link bracelet, a Milanese loop, and a band made from high-performance fluoroelastomer.

 We will not forget that Apple started 2014 slowly but more than made up for it in the long haul, introducing the Apple Watch, Apple Pay, Mac OS X Yosemite, iOS 8, an iPad Air 2 with a super-fast processor, the massively selling iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus, and a luscious iMac with a 5K Retina screen, which, it turns out, is priced less than some 4K monitors.

Make your choice!

Find your style in three distinctive collections

Apple Watch

Apple Watch Sport

Apple Watch Edition

Cold-forged stainless steel. Formulated for strength and beauty.

How a product is used should determine the materials from which it’s made. Apple Watch is designed to be worn during all your daily activities, from morning workouts to nights out. That’s why we took a refined 316L stainless steel — an alloy that is remarkably corrosion resistant — and cold forged it to make it 40 percent harder and less susceptible to nicks and scratches. We also reduce impurities to achieve the mirror finish. An additional diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer gives the space black stainless steel its distinctive look.

Brilliantly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

Next to diamond, sapphire is the hardest transparent material on earth. That makes it ideal for protecting the Retina display. To harvest the crystal, we use a very thin diamond-cutting wire. The sapphire is then precision-machined into its final form and polished for many hours to produce the desired finish.

Beautifully engineered bands and closures.

With designs made from fine top-grain leathers, durable high-performance fluoroelastomer, and custom-engineered stainless steel, the Apple Watch collection offers the widest array of band materials and closure styles. Each one is distinctive in its own right, yet perfectly matched to the collection.

 Link Bracelet
Crafted from the same 316L stainless steel alloy as the case, the Link Bracelet has more than 100 components. The machining process is so precise, it takes nearly nine hours to cut the links for a single band. In part that’s because they aren’t simply a uniform size, but subtly increase in width as they approach the case. Once assembled, the links are brushed by hand to ensure that the texture follows the contours of the design. The custom butterfly closure folds neatly within the bracelet. And several links feature a simple release button, so you can add and remove links without any special tools. Available in stainless steel and space black stainless steel.

Milanese Loop
A modern interpretation of a design developed in Milan at the end of the 19th century. Woven on specialized Italian machines, the smooth stainless steel mesh wraps fluidly around your wrist. And because it’s fully magnetic, the Milanese Loop is infinitely adjustable, ensuring a perfect fit.

 Modern Buckle
A small French tannery established in 1803 produces the supple Granada leather for this elegant band. The smooth top-grain leather is lightly milled and tumbled to maintain its refined texture. What looks like a solid buckle is actually a two-piece magnetic closure that’s delightfully simple to secure. We also added an inner layer of Vectran weave for strength and stretch resistance. It’s the same material NASA used to make the landing airbags for the Mars Rover spacecraft. This band is available in soft pink, brown, and midnight blue.

 Leather Loop
The Venezia leather for this band is handcrafted in Arzignano, Italy. With an artisan heritage spanning five generations, the tannery has a history of partnership with some of the most prestigious names in fashion. A delicate milling and tumbling process enhances the beautiful pebbled texture. This traditional craftsmanship is combined with an innovative approach to design. Magnets concealed within the soft, quilted leather allow you to simply wrap it around your wrist for a precise fit and a trim look. Available in stone, light brown, and bright blue. 

Classic Buckle
From the renowned ECCO tannery in the Netherlands, the Dutch leather used for this band is milled to give the grain a subtle, distinctive texture. The simple closure is crafted from the same stainless steel as the case. It’s a beautiful take on a traditional band design. Available in black.

Sport Band

Because it’s made from a custom high-performance fluoroelastomer, the Sport Band is durable and strong, yet surprisingly soft. The smooth, dense material drapes elegantly across your wrist and feels comfortable next to your skin. An innovative pin-and-tuck closure ensures a clean fit. Available in white and black.

Narayana Murthy on Achievers' Club

Apple marks 50 billionth app with big prize

Apple says its customers have downloaded more than 50 billion applications from its App Store since its launch in 2008.


SAN FRANCISCO: Apple on Thursday announced that the number of mini-programs downloaded from its App Store has blasted past the 50 billion milestone, and celebrated the moment with a $10,000 prize. 

The California-based maker of iPads, iPhones, iPods and Macintosh computers said that it gave a $10,000 App Store gift card to an Ohio man who downloaded the 50 billionth app -- a free word game called Say the Same Thing. 

"We're absolutely floored to cross this milestone in less than five years," Apple senior vice president of Internet software and services Eddy Cue said in a statement. 

"The App Store completely transformed how people use their mobile devices and created a thriving app ecosystem that has paid out over nine billion dollars to developers." 

People are downloading mini-programs from the App Store at an average rate of 800 per second, according to Apple. 

Apple opened the virtual doors of its online App Store in July of 2008 with 500 apps for the company's coveted mobile gadgets. 

The online store is now stocked with more than 850,000 apps for iPhones, iPads, or iPod touch devices powered by Apple's iOS operating system. 

"The App Store has been integral in getting us into the hands of millions of iOS users and has transformed our business," said Elizabeth Francis, chief marketing officer at designer fashion flash-sale website Gilt.com. 

Microsoft says upgrade to Windows 8 or spend more

Microsoft, which plans to end support for Windows XP on April 8, next year, said the cost of upgrading will be about $95 or Rs 5199

BANGALORE: In an attempt to encourage enterprises to upgrade computer operating systems to the latest version of Windows,Microsoft said companies that fail to migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8 could end up spending over three times the support costs besides exposing themselves to more security risks. 

Microsoft, which plans to end support for Windows XP on April 8 , next year, said the cost of upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8 will be about $95 or Rs 5199, compared to the cost of non-migrating which will be $300 or Rs 16,419. The data was from a study by technology market researcher IDC, released on Tuesday. 

"This is an alarming situation as non-migration puts businesses at risk of security breaches and could potentially create a big dent to the company's brand image," notedAmrish Goyal, director, Windows Business Group at Microsoft adding that around 50-60% of installed PC base in the enterprises are still running Windows XP. 

Windows 8, released six months ago, is the most comprehensive overhaul of Microsoft's operating system as the world's largest software-maker seeks to stay in sync with users who are shifting to touch-based smartphones and tablet computers. The sales haven't been stellar so far, according to analysts tracking the progress of the new operating system. 

Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows XP means millions of laptops and desktops will no longer receive Microsoft's security and system updates post April 2014. Microsoft said companies that refuse to migrate from Windows XP could also incur costs related to business loss due to security, data breach threats and productivity loss. 

Windows XP is one of Microsoft's more successful operating systems, which was not the case with Windows 7 and Windows Vista. 

In a whitepaper released on Tuesday , IDC said organisations that stick on to Windows XP would face significant business risks both in the form of disruption of operations that could result in loss of revenue and potential breach of information from their core business applications. 

"With the looming end of support (EOS) of Windows XP on April 8, 2014, organizations should not underestimate the need to put together a plan of migration from Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows 8. This migration not only has key business/IT drivers, but also has a very valid financial benefit in the form of investment versus cost avoidance," the IDC said.

Cyber attack: Saudi reports attacks on government websites

RIYADH: Several government Internet sites have come under "coordinated and simultaneous" cyber attack, an information security spokesman in the oil-rich kingdomreported on Friday. 

The spokesman said among them was the interior ministry website brought down for an hour on Wednesday after being targeted in a so-called denial of service attack from "hundreds of IP addresses in different countries". 

The kingdom's information security centre has begun an inquiry into how to counter such attacks and reduce their impact on online services, he said in a statement. 

In August, Saudi oil giant Aramco was the target of a cyber attack that the authorities said was aimed at halting production in the world's largest crude oil exporter.

Yahoo Japan suspects 22 million user IDs leaked: Kyodo

Yahoo Japan Corp said on Friday night it suspected that up to 22 million of its user IDsmay have been "leaked" and it detected an unauthorized attempt to access the administrative system of its web portal Yahoo Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported.

The leaked information does not include passwords and data necessary for identity verification to reset passwords, the agency said.

The company detected the access attempt at around 9 pm on Thursday, Kyodo reported.

Yahoo Japan checked its system after severing access and found traces of an attempt to steal user IDs, according to Kyodo.

Obama hits out at Russia sending advanced missiles to Syria

The Obama administration has hit out at Russia's decision to supply Syria with anti-ship missiles.

General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the move was "ill-timed and very unfortunate" and will only worsen the civil war, AP reported.

Dempsey said the missile delivery would embolden Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime and "prolong the suffering".

He was commenting on a New York Times report that Russia has sent advanced antiship cruise missiles to Syria.

The New York Times quoted an unnamed military source saying that while Russia has previously supplied weapons to Syria, the latest round are more sophisticated in countering any potential future foreign military intervention in Syria.

The source said the move is a clear indication of the depth of Russia's support for the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad.

GlobalPost senior correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky said that the weapons Russia sent to Syria are "likely to interfere with any of the non-lethal international efforts that have been discussed as possibilities: a no-fly zone, a naval blockade, the transfer of materiel to the rebels."

As such, "Russians seem to be pushing the Western powers into a corner," Tarnopolsky said. "If Russia succeeds, that would leave Europe and the United States with only two options: do nothing, or enter with overwhelming, massive military force and be prepared to confront extremely advanced Russian weapons systems."

Russia's foreign minister would not confirm details but said Russian supplies did not break any international rules, the BBC reported.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday he did not understand the uproar sparked by Moscow's continuing weapons cooperation with Syria.

"I do not understand why the media is trying to create a sensation out of this," Lavrov said, according to Agence France-Presse.

More from GlobalPost: Obama plays down mounting controversies

During a joint press appearance in Sochi with visiting United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Lavrov said: "We are first and foremost supplying defense weapons related to air defense.”

"We have not hidden that we supply weapons to Syria under signed contracts, without violating any international agreements, or our own legislation."

GlobalPost's Tarnopolsky said that "in fact, these anti-missile systems are equipped with significantly more sophisticated systems than anything Assad has gotten before."

Moreover, sending the missiles as well as warships the very week Putin held diplomatic meetings with both the United States and Israel on the subject of Syria — and while the United States is pushing for a Russian-US led summit in early June — "shows a really breathtaking lack of consideration for Western concerns, " Tarnopolsky added, "and for the niceties of normal diplomatic discourse."

Stephen Sestanovich of the Council on Foreign Relations told GlobalPost via email that, "Russia stubbornly defends its right to support other sovereign states to defend themselves. For them, this is a matter of dollars and cents but also high principle."

"The standard Russian response to criticism of such moves is that they're simply fulfilling a contract that's been in place for years. They'll say that it doesn't matter that Syria has become a war zone since the contract was signed," Sestanovich said.

Lavrov has urged that a peace conference bringing the Syrian government and opposition to the negotiating table should be held as soon as possible.

More from GlobalPost: Analysis: Russia steps up its old game over Syria

Does the delivery of the missiles contradict Russia's push for a peace conference? Sestanovich observed: "The Russian answer would be that they'll have more influence over the Syrian government by not abandoning them."

"The same logic would suggest that the US and its allies would have more influence over the insurgents by giving them arms," Sestanovich said. "The Russians would denounce that idea, but they are probably making it more likely that this will happen."

To date, the West's support for the Syrian opposition has been of the non-lethal and humanitarian variety. US President Barack Obama stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on the Assad regime while meeting with British Prime Minister David CameronMonday.

Cameron, who met with Putin last week, said, "It is in both our [Russia and Britain's] interests that at the end of this there is a stable Syria."

More from GlobalPost: Syria refugee count tops 1.5 million, UN says

The reports of Russia's support for Syria's military come amid growing alarm that chemical weapons may be being used in Syria.

Last month, Obama said there was evidence chemical weapons were used, but there was still much that US intelligence agencies did not know, Reuters reported.

"We don't know how they were used, when they were used, who used them," he said, and, "We don't have a chain of custody that establishes what exactly happened," he told a White House news conference.

Obama has not ruled out military action against Assad's government, but while speaking at a press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, he ruled out acting unilaterally.

As for the missiles, Sestanovich said, "We don't know a lot about what these missiles can do. For a long time, Western analysts have explained that the Russian-supplied air defense system that Syria has is extremely effective. Then Israel bombed military sites in Syria, and Syrian air-defenses looked completely useless."

Yahoo is stuck with Microsoft

Yahoo's search is powered by Microsoft Bing -- and will be for some time.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Yahoo may want out of its search agreement with Microsoft, but the Internet giant doesn't really have another option.

Yahoo essentially gave up on search in 2010, handing the keys over to Microsoft to serve up Bing search engine results on its websites. Yahoo pays Microsoft 12% of the revenue from ads on those pages.

It's no secret that the joint venture hasn't paid off as well as Yahoo hoped. The deal is meant to last 10 years, but the Wall Street Journal reported this week that Yahoo has been trying to get out of the partnership. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has said several times that revenue from the Microsoft search agreement has been "disappointing."

According to the terms of the deal, either party could opt out in 2015. But Yahoo doesn't have anyone else on its dance card. Its only other option would be Google, and there's a big problem with that.

Yahoo and Google ( Fortune 500) tried a limited search partnership in 2008, but the U.S. Department of Justice kiboshed it due to antitrust concerns. "Yahoogle" would control nearly 80% of the search market today, according to data tracker comScor.

If Yahoo can figure out a way to structure the deal without drawing regulatory complaints, Google could be its saving grace, said Topeka Capital Markets analyst Victor Anthony in a recent note to clients.

"A partnership with Google holds the best hope for Yahoo to stem its search share slide," Anthony wrote.

Related story: Marissa Mayer extends Yahoo's maternity leave

Even though Mayer is an ex-Googler, a Google deal is extremely unlikely given the antitrust scrutiny that continues to surround the search giant, said S&P Capital IQ analyst Scott Kessler.

"The reality is, it's an interesting story to consider because there's a lot of history and a lot of intrigue," Kessler said. "But at the end of the day, I think this Microsoft (MSFT,Fortune 500) deal will continue."

Some investors have called for Yahoo to go back to its roots and power its own search. But Kessler doesn't see that happening either, particularly after Yahoo worked hard in recent years to cut costs and lay off unessential employees.

"It would be a pretty massive uphill battle for Yahoo to extricate itself from this deal, start from square one, and rebuild a search team, technologies, and strategy," Kessler said. "At least not in a way that makes financial sense."

Despite the difficulties in search, that business accounted for $1.9 billion of Yahoo's(YHOO, Fortune 500) nearly $5 billion in revenue for 2012. It's still an important part of Yahoo's business, and Mayer made it clear this week that she's focused on improving search -- at least on the user experience side.

"Most of our [upcoming] innovations will be in search," Mayer said at the Wired Business Conference in New York City on Tuesday. "Our focus is really on the front end ... for example, we can construct results in a different way."

That's the right path forward, says Kessler.

"[It's] not necessarily a bad thing to leave the technology to someone else," he said.

For the foreseeable future, Yahoo's results will still be powered by Bing.