MSN Launches Search Tools

Kicking its competition with Google into high gear, MSN has released a tool that can search hard drives, networked drives, and e-mail, and has launched a wide beta of its Internet search engine based on Microsoft (rather than third-party) technology. The desktop search tool leapfrogs Google’s similar offering and shows that MSN can leverage technologies developed elsewhere within the company to respond quickly to threats. Although the desktop search tool is not suitable for corporate use, Microsoft promises similar offerings for businesses in the future. However, MSN still has work ahead before it can equal Google’s strength in Web search.

The Threat from Google

The new search tools, released in public betas in Dec. 2004, are the first results from a new MSN Search team formed in spring 2003 under the leadership of Vice President Christopher Payne. Prior to that initiative, Microsoft did not view search as a high priority for MSN and instead let partners provide MSN’s underlying search technology.