Online mapping stepping up its game

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Microsoft Corp. has upgraded its online mapping service to include three-dimensional tours of 15 U.S. cities, marking another step in its dogged pursuit of Internet search leader Google Inc.

With the improvements unveiled Monday, Microsoft is hoping to upstage Google’s popular “Earth” software, which enables about one-third of the world’s population to obtain an aerial view of their homes and neighborhoods.

Google says it has distributed more than 100 million free copies of the Earth software since its June 2005 introduction.

Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, is touting its 3-D version of “Virtual Earth” as a more compelling alternative that provides “photorealistic” images of the 15 targeted cities: San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Detroit, Phoenix, Houston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Additional cities are expected to be added in upcoming months.

Outback Steakhouse owner agrees to buyout

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ OSI Restaurant Partners Inc., which operates Outback Steakhouse among its handful of restaurant brands, announced Monday that it has agreed to be acquired by a private investor group for about $3 billion.

The acquisition by Bain Capital Partners LLC, Catterton Partners and company founders is pending approval of shareholders. The deal was approved by Tampa-based OSI’s board of directors based on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors.

In addition to the $40 per share acquisition price, the investors have agreed to take on debt of about of about $185 million.

The transaction is not subject to financing conditions.