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By Ina Fried
Posted on ZDNet News: Oct 22, 2004 8:56:00 PM

Microsoft has set a firmer date for the release of its desktop search software, after Google launched a test version of its rival program for scouring a PC's hard drive.

During its earnings call with financial analysts, Microsoft said an MSN-branded tool would be made available before the end of 2004. The tool and an algorithmic Web searching engine will be in beta testing by year's end, a representative said Friday.

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Microsoft first demonstrated the technology for its own desktop search tool at a financial analysts' conference in July. At the time, MSN executive Yusuf Mehdi would say only that it would be out before the release of Longhorn, the next version of Windows, scheduled for 2006.

Yahoo and Microsoft have been making acquisitions to boost their capabilities in this area. In July, Microsoft bought Lookout Software, which has a program for searching within Outlook e-mail. Yahoo acquired Oddpost in July and said this week that it would buy Stata Labs.

Google has emerged as a key rival to Microsoft. In addition to the battle over search, the company is seen as a potentially broader competitor in several areas, including the market for Web browsing and instant messaging.

Google also confirmed this week that it is opening an office in Kirkland, Wash., a Seattle suburb not far from Microsoft's Redmond headquarters.

CNET News.com's Stefanie Olsen contributed to this report.

  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 24 Talkback(s)
Marginal product choices
Using the same logic you presented here "Just being there" is a significant market advantage" would indicate that since Paint is included with the OS a typical user would not want or need Photoshop or... (Read the rest)
Posted by: GregSalts Posted on: 10/25/04 You are currently: Logged In | Log out
Great Jeff Spicoli   | 10/22/04
I don't disagree, but... humbly_opinionated   | 10/22/04
But have you tried Desktop Google? RexWorld   | 10/22/04
There has been better and there are still robertelly   | 10/23/04
Microsoft fixes date for desktop search tool Loverock Davidson   | 10/22/04
How can the best search win when . . . Bit's_Conscience   | 10/23/04
In the words of a great song seosamh_z   | 10/23/04
Not saying that "consumers are incapable of choice", but . . . Bit's_Conscience   | 10/23/04
and bolting it to the OS V Sanders   | 10/24/04
Marginal product choices GregSalts   | 10/25/04
MS promises! bugmenotznet   | 10/24/04
This will be a good tool ... George Mitchell   | 10/22/04
which version will be good? bugmenotznet   | 10/24/04
The search gurus vs the bundlers asky   | 10/22/04
Why so bleak? seosamh_z   | 10/23/04
Here's why (long msg) asky   | 10/23/04
Right! Its a paradigm shift. bugmenotznet   | 10/24/04
"but this time MS is on the losing end" - - - Not so sure about that... Bit's_Conscience   | 10/24/04
So the date was broken, and now they fixed it FilledOut   | 10/23/04
So, what is the date?? jstead1   | 10/23/04
remote desktop search tool - lol V Sanders   | 10/23/04
Microsoft - We follow better than anyone... BitTwiddler   | 10/24/04
re : Microsoft fixes date V Sanders   | 10/24/04
Indexing Service anyone? PB_z   | 10/25/04

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