New MSN Search Test Suspended
As first reported by BoostMarketing.com, Microsoft has suspended a test release of its ballyhooed algorithmic search engine from the MSN Sandbox Web site. A note on MSN's Web page read that the product team had solicited enough feedback to launch another preview later on this year. In the meantime, users are encouraged to make use of the existing MSN search service.
Microsoft revealed an alpha preview of MSN's next generation search engine in February of 2004. Remond claimed that it was placing emphasis on the project which it called "a huge commitment" is moving forward on an "immense scale." MSN has drafted Microsoft Research to assist in its development efforts, but has left the door open for new recruits.
Microsoft is promising to take on market leader Google by providing more relevant search results through committing its vast array of resources to the project.
The company is already a formidable opponent to Google and Yahoo! based upon volume alone. Microsoft's current generation MSN Search receives traffic in excess of 46 million unique users a month. When combined with the worldwide MSN network, Microsoft and its advertisers have an audience of 350 million.
While one hand has taken away; the other has given. According to Microsoft Watch, MSN introduced new services for Hotmail users dubbed "life management features." Life management features are an online productivity solution similar in function to Microsoft Outlook that provides calendaring, task management, note creation, reminders, and more robust contact management.
A souped up search engine is not all that Microsoft has up its sleeve. MSN has launched a beta preview of its Newsbot, a search engine that allows customers to sift through more than 4,800 worldwide news sources. The service also intelligently recommends breaking news stories based upon users' viewing habits.
In light of the increasing popularity of blogs, MSN has created Blogbot, a search engine that spiders the Net for Web logs to produce relevant search results. Redmond is billing Blogbot as a first-of-its-kind service; nonetheless, services including Blogdex, Blogdigger and BlogoSphere have already been filling that role.
Another project known as MSN Answerbot will trail behind the other search MSN assets in Sandbox and is expected to present an Ask Jeeves like natural language interface to reduce the reliance on keywords.
"I expect MSN to continue testing as the division seeks to roll out increasingly mature search products, not just for the Web but the desktop," senior Jupiter Research analyst Joe Wilcox told BetaNenws.
In June, Microsoft hinted that it will bridge the difference between searching the Web and searching the desktop. At a recent demo, Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdie showed off a new search engine that was integrated into MSN Toolbar add-on which spiders both the Web and the hard drive.
"It's interesting that MSN is releasing features that improve Windows before Microsoft can add them to the operating system. Pop-up blocking debuted in the MSN toolbar before making it into IE. Likewise, MSN could greatly improve Windows desktop search well ahead of expected search improvements coming in Longhorn, which is slated for 2006 release," said Wilcox.