Yahoo buys social TV startup IntoNow

     SAN FRANCISCO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Yahoo Inc. on Monday announced that it has acquired IntoNow, a startup company whose technology can let users almost instantly recognize TV content and share favorite programs with their friends.

    IntoNow has built a technology platform that can automatically identify(确定认同) live television content and any previously¹ aired U.S.- based television programming in the past five years.

    It also offers an application for iPhone and other devices running Apple's iOS operating system, which can help users connect and engage with their friends around the shows they love.

    With the application, users can find out what their friends are watching and engage in discussion through their favorite social networks, or discover what shows they have in common with others and which of them are on air right now.

    "Relying on social channels as a means for discovering content - - whether it's on a PC, mobile device, or TV -- is rapidly on the rise," Bill Shaughnessy, Yahoo's senior vice² president of product management and product marketing³, said in a statement.

    "IntoNow's technology combines the ability to check-in to what a consumer is watching, engage in conversations, and find related content," he added.

    In a post on its company blog, Yahoo noted⁴ that the addition of IntoNow will enhance its video programming, and bolster⁵ its social engagement across the Yahoo network and on all screens.

    IntoNow, headquartered in Palo Alto in the U.S. state of California, was only launched in January 2011 and now has seven employees.

    Yahoo didn't disclose terms of the purchase. Technology blog TechCrunch reported that Yahoo paid between 20 million to 30 million U.S. dollars, citing sources with knowledge of the deal.（本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑）

1 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

2 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

3 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。