News Headline
AOL acquires video search engine Truveo
MUMBAI: Internet video search firm Truveo has been acquired by US internet company America Online (AOL).
AOL says that the move solidifies its position as the destination for a full suite of video and search services.
The California based Truveo was co-founded by CEO Dr. Tim Tuttle and CTO Dr. Adam Beguelin in January 2004. Truveo subsequently launched its premier video search engine technology in September 2005.
Truveo’s approach to video search utilises a proprietary web crawling technology called “Visual Crawling”. This unique technology has enabled Truveo to amass one of the most comprehensive indexes of high-quality, current video on the web.
The strength of Truveo’s Visual Crawling is its ability to automatically discover video files and related information on complex, dynamic web pages – a task that has been notoriously challenging for existing conventional crawling technologies.
Truveo’s technology continuously crawls the most popular video content sites on the web in real-time to provide consumers with the most updated and relevant results that include breaking news, sports, and entertainment video. As a result of this approach, Truveo’s video search engine includes a large selection of popular video that cannot be found in any other search engine – helping consumers to find the ‘eureka’ moment in their online video search experience every single time.
Once Truveo is integrated within AOL’s search and video products in the coming months, AOL.com will deliver a video ‘one-stop-shop’ search experience that provides consumers with the access, functionality, premium assets, original content, and advanced search tools for unparalleled online video discovery. The acquisition of Truveo by AOL complements and enhances AOL in the video search engine arena, beginning with the purchase of Seattle-based Singingfish in November 2003, and continuing with the launch of AOL Video Search in June 2005.
AOL has made several additional announcements recently, expanding its compelling repertoire of consumer video and search offerings to include: the launch of its Video on Demand destination on AOL.com; the record-breaking global broadcast online of the “Live 8” concerts; an extensive library of over 20,000 original, premium video assets; high-quality video playback through the new “Hi-Q” video format. it also made content and original programming agreements – such as the Warner Bros. “In2TV” offering and the AOL-Telepictures new, on-demand entertainment news network – TMZ.com; and, AOL’s exciting investment and partnership with Brightcove, a web video distribution pioneer.
AOL chairman and CEO Jonathan F. Miller says, “Consumers across the web have eagerly anticipated a video search engine that offers relevant, up-to-the-minute, premium video results. The addition of Truveo’s video search technology, video assets, and experienced talent complements the overall video experience on AOL and takes it to new heights. Truveo is a hidden gem in the video marketplace, offering AOL members and users of AOL.com a vast, new array of tools and an extensive collection of updated, hard-to-find video assets. The Truveo acquisition takes AOL even farther down the path of being the premier destination on the internet for video and search.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
