Take that, Google. To alleviate any antitrust concerns, Microsoft has to make separate deals with each OEM if it wants its search integrated into an OEM's PCs. And on Monday it landed a biggie, particularly with HP's ranking as the world's largest PC manufacturer.

With Microsoft recently issuing a statement, on Yahoo deal "...that it is continuing to explore and pursue its alternatives to improve and expand its online services and advertising business. Microsoft is considering and has raised with Yahoo! an alternative that would involve a transaction with Yahoo! but not an acquisition of all of Yahoo! ...".

Microsoft has launched a service called "Live Search Cashback." The program is linked to Microsoft's acquisition of Jellyfish.com last year, a cash back site similar to eBates, where rebates of varying percentages are given for purchases clicked-through from the site. This probably explains why the cash back portion of Jellyfish has been down of late and is down again today.