Today's rumors that Yahoo is interested in acquiring OpenTable, the largest online restaurant reservation service in the US, caused shares in the service to jump the most they have in more than two months. As of 3:30 p.m. EST, OPEN:US shares were up 5.44 percent to $45.96 per share. Through October 19, OpenTable shares had risen 11 percent for the year.
Google made an aggressive leap Thursday with the buyout of Zagat. The deal gives it the pioneering hotel and restaurant rating guide firm for an undisclosed amount. Google was unspecific about exact details but said Zagat would be a "cornerstone of our local offering," according to Location VP Marissa Mayer.
Toyota and Salesforce on Monday teamed up on a social network for cars. Nicknamed Toyota Friend, it would put out micro updates similar to Twitter either between fellow drivers or even updates from a car. An electric or plug-in hybrid car could automatically post when it's low on battery, Toyota gave as one example.
