Microsoft launches new search engine

i.t. matters
Friday-Saturday March 10-11, 2006 MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Microsoft launches new search engine

SAN FRANCISCO -- US computer software powerhouse Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled a revved-up Internet search engine geared to challenge its online arch-rival Google.

The Redmond, Washington company went public with a beta version of "Windows Live Search" and an updated tool bar at the website www.Live.com.

"We’re unveiling a range of innovations that deliver an outstanding level of power and simplicity to search," the unit’s vice-president, Christopher Payne, said at a conference in southern California.

"Combined with the rich browsing and integrated searching services delivered by Windows Live Toolbar and Live.com, the new search service offers customers the next generation of unified services."

Live was designed to provide users with tools to quickly find, view and organize internet search results in categories including news, images, e-mail and news feeds, according to Microsoft.

Live was introduced as online search titans such as Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and Ask compete for the loyalty of internet surfers.

The more users a search engine has, the more opportunities it gets to make money from online advertising and selling premium services