Windows Live Search is Launched

Microsoft Corp has announced the availability of its Windows Live Search Beta, which promises to help people find information on the Web which matters most to them. Microsoft has also released an updated version of Live.com and a Windows Live Toolbar beta - both complementing Windows Live Search. Windows Live Search incorporates rich viewing and organizational tools, extensive search categories such as image and local search, and services which will help users customize results.
Windows Live Search promises to provide better control over search by incorporating new features such as search preview, scoping tools, search slider bar to increase level of information on the results page, and smart scrolling to enable people view search results without having to move from page to page. Windows Live Search also offers specific search categories including the new image search, news search, RSS feeds, email search, local search, and searching of MSN Shopping and MSN Spaces. Windows Live Search is geared to deliver a singular search experience across all upcoming Windows Live services such as Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Mail. As part of the Windows Live Search experience, Microsoft has launched the Windows Live Search Macros beta which enables users to save and share specific queries plus search scopes, and to customize their search results. The other service launched by the company - Windows Live Toolbar, allows people to search from any Web page using Windows Live Search; and to easily save, organize and share the information they find online. The beta offers advanced protection against phishing and pop-up blocking, so that people can browse more safely while they search. The Windows Live Toolbar incorporates features such as Onfolio technology, RSS detection, automatic aggregation to the user's personalized Live.com home page, effortless customization, and tabbed browsing for quicker Web surfing. The latest version of Live.com released by Microsoft sports a new design plus features that help users quickly customize their home page, preview content, create multiple pages based on their interests, and add their favorite content from various information sources and RSS feeds. Microsoft will for the first time make Windows Live Search available on Live.com. Live.com will feature advanced search services; and new gadgets including image search, a clock, Windows Live Favorites, stock quotes, MSN video and MSN Infopane. Microsoft plans to constantly update Live.com with new services, based on customer feedback. Christopher Payne, corporate vice president - Windows Live Search, Microsoft, said, "We're unveiling a range of innovations that deliver an outstanding level of power and simplicity to search. 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 today." Microsoft's new services will be available in the US, and in select international markets wherein feature availability will vary.