Yahoo! Axis: A New Way to Search

Wouldn't it be great if you never had to look at a bunch of links after doing a Web search, so that instead you'd just land on the site you were looking for? What if Google's I'm Feeling Lucky Choice always worked perfectly so that you didn't have to pore over ten blue links? Yahoo today made new search tools under the Yahoo Axis moniker that attempt to enable that worldview, called Yahoo! Axis.

Yahoo Axis comprises iOS apps and browser plugins for the four major Web browsers, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Android apps will follow later this year. The way they work is notable for its simplicity, and the search experience is especially suited to tablets such as the iPad, because of its use of swipe gestures.

As with any other search utility, you start with a search box. And as with all modern search sites, you'll see suggested search proposals drop down as you type. But what happens next is new: A filmstrip-like view across the top of the screen shows large thumbnails search result pages. Tapping on one opens the page in full screen. Swiping takes you to the next result.

For some searches, like weather, you'll see relevant information in a box as you type. The Axis app serves the function of a full Web browser, with tabs implemented as large thumbnails that appear when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The desktop browser plugin works similarly, except result previews show up across the bottom of the window. The browser plugin sports favorites and recent search syncing, and unlike browser-specific syncing, it works with any browser you install the plugin on as well as with the Axis mobile apps.

Another key feature for Yahoo Axis is that search sessions are synced from one of your devices to the rest. So if you started a search on your desktop or iPad, the next time you open Axis on your smart phone, you'll see a "Continue from iPad" choice on the phone. The interface also has Favorites that serve as visual bookmarks, and Read Later sections for easy access from any device. The apps also let you share via email, Twitter or Pinterest.