Microsoft is buying Powerset, developer of what it hopes is a smarter way to search the Web. Powerset uses so-called "semantic Web" technology that brings up results based on an understanding of a word's meaning and the context of its use.

According to the article, Microsoft has offered more than $100 million to acquire the company. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Microsoft's Plan B for Search

Still smarting from a failed attempt to buy Yahoo! (YHOO), Microsoft (MSFT) is trying another tactic to gain on Google (GOOG) in Web search.

Now, Yahoo's move?