Google buying Digg?

TechCrunch’s “inside sources” say Google and Digg have signed a letter of intent, which will lead to Google’s acquisition of Digg. The cost to Google is reported to be around $200 million. The two companies have been in on and off negotiations for some time now. The sale would end Digg’s three-year ad revenue contract with Microsoft.

This new development puts an interesting perspective on the Google testing of a Digg-like search feature.

(TechCrunch “Google In Final Negotiations To Acquire Digg For “Around $200 Million”)

Google’s tinyURL

I only recently discovered the benefits of TinyURL. Instead of posting “http://atlanta.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/2008/rainy-day_date_spot”, I can write “http://tinyurl.com/6×9kv8″ and direct you to the same page.

Apparently Google SMS sends shortened versions of links in response to mobile searches. They either A) are TinyURL to create this mini-URL or B) have created their own version and simply refer to it by the same name.

(Digital Inspiration “Google Using TinyURL Service for Shortening URLs in SMS Search?”)