Microsoft attempts to expand into the Internet to give a fully rounded system to its customers. The company will offer online services including e-mail and Web search under its Windows Live brand, as well test versions of two new free services: Windows Live Folders and Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Windows Live Photo Gallery is a new version of the photo application found on Microsoft’s two most recent operating systems, Windows XP and Windows Vista. It simplifies how people can share photos on their Windows Live Spaces site, Microsoft’s social networking platform.

The sharing feature of Microsoft’s new Photo Gallery is similar to how users can publish pictures from Apple Inc.’s iPhoto application to the company’s .Mac online service.

Microsoft’s effort might pay off in the next few months, but if it seriously expects to compete head-to-head with the likes of Google and Yahoo, then Microsoft might just find the whole experience a bit lacking.

Canon U.S.A. in encouraging its customers to take a walk outside and get some fresh air. And, of course, take lots of pictures. The company will be offering free workshops (that’s right, free) in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks on selected dates throughout the summer.

Yosemite sessions will run from June 15-29, in Grand Canyon from July 9-29 and in Yellowstone from August 6 to the 12th.

Rumor has it, that with Apple and Cingular teaming up with the iPhone, Google wants in. A recent job opening posted on the Google Web site appears to confirm the company may now be tinkering with more than just an idea but with some real hardware in its engineering labs.

"Google is experimenting with a few wireless communications systems including some completely novel concepts," according to the Web-site recruitment text. "We are building a small team of top-notch Logic Designers and Analog Designers aimed at nothing less than making the entire world’s information accessible from anywhere for free."

"In the wake of Apple and some other big-name brands moving into the handset business, why not Google?" said Phil Taylor, senior analyst with Strategy Analytics Ltd.

But Google isn’t the only one. Yahoo Inc. has also been striking deals and offering search-engine services to their mobile phone customers and manufacturers interested in embedding search functions directly in their handsets, according to Taylor.

Google? Yahoo? Apple? All in one place at the same time? Besides the world imploding, this means good news for us Nerds. With the top brands and minds competing for our dollars, we could see a tech explosion that hasn’t been seen in the last 20 years! That’s not all folks, it would be for dirt cheap too!

Which means futuristic ideas and toys in our hands, because in order for these search engine giants to grab our attention, they would have to come out with such a novel and original idea that it will secure not only attention but create a niche in the mobile industry.

All I can say is hold on to your underpants, it’s going to be a wild ride!