SAN FRANCISCO - Yahoo launched a search browser service Wednesday night that enables users to bypass the standard list of links and go directly from query to page.

According to a demo video, the new Axis service provides visual previews for the most trending search results in a horizontal display of Web page thumbnails, essentially a list of search results with a simpler and more direct user interface.

Axis is now available as an iPad and iPhone application and Yahoo is also offering Axis plug-ins for Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome. The plug-in will appear as a search box at the bottom of the browser and expand when a search query is entered.

Yahoo has been in need of a lift in the face of declining business and a scandal that saw CEO Scott Thompson resign last week amid claims he embellished his academic credentials.

And it may have found it in Axis, with industry watchers providing positive reviews, calling it "cool and innovative."

Technology news site CNET said Axis was "an aggressive product for the struggling Yahoo to launch out its search group."

"Surprisingly, it does not suck. In fact, it's actually kind of cool," tech blog Gizmodo said.