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.
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.
SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads
What do you think?
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.
Ballmer on Linux: "The evidence is clear"
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- News, Insights, Guidance
Visit CBSMoneyWatch.com Today -
Economic indicators are gloomy, but don't let that dampen your spirits. The all-new MoneyWatch.com was created to help you navigate this new economic terrain and get you back on track with your future plans. It's where you go from here.
Visit CBSMoneyWatch.com Today
- Learn more >>
White Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads
- Five Steps to Determine When to Virtualize YourServers VMware Thinking of virtualizing the servers at your company? Use this step-by-step guide to determine when's the best time to make your big move. Download Now
- The True Costs of Virtual Server Solutions VMware Discover ways to streamline and simplify your assessment of the total acquisition costs of a server virtualization environment. Download Now
- Why Isn't Server Virtualization Saving Us More? A Few Small Changes May Dramatically Increase Your Efficiency VMware Ever wonder why your company isn't saving more from its server virtualization? Making a few small changes could dramatically increase your efficiency. Download Now
Meet Doc
-
-
Here to help you with your Document Management Needs
- Check out Doc’s Blog on ZDNet
- Driving While Printing. And Printing While You Fly I have racked my brain to come up with the list of features and benefits to consider when thinking of mobile printing.
- Fed employees throw out millions of pages every day The Washington Times reports that a full third of the printing performed by U.S. government employees is instantly tossed out or recycled.
-
Produced by
ZDNet and -
