Microsoft to acquire Fast Search and Transfer
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/01/08/Microsoft-bids-for-Fast-Search-and-Transfer_1.html
"By integrating Fast Search's products with SharePoint, and drawing on its worldwide network of partners, Microsoft hopes to bring Fast Search's products to a wider audience, it said Tuesday. "
You can find out more about Fast's products at http://www.fastsearch.com/
Overall it looks like good news for SharePoint searching.