Microsoft takes on Google with test launch
18 November 2003
Microsoft is increasing its threat to Google's hegemony with the beta launch of a news service in the UK, France, Italy and Spain.
The test service MSN Newsbot searches news in the languages of each of those countries, referring to more than 4,000 sources.
Where it differs from Google is its personalised news service, which uses tracking technology and consumer data from users of Microsoft's e-wallet system, Passport.
Microsoft Research, the company's research and development units, is developing the service in conjunction with Moreover Tchnologies, a news data source, according to MSN product manager Karen Redetzki.
'MSN Newsbot is in its first stages, available in beta at this time. It is expected that more countries will be added over time', she said.
This is the first stage of a direct assault on Google planned by Microsoft. The software giant has spent $500 million on the development of a system that binds consumer search of its various websites, applications and the Windows operating system.
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