Hotmail
Microsoft unveils new online technologies
Updates include ‘street view’ search function, Internet classified service
Tech Holiday Gift Guide |
 Top 10 Black Friday Web sites Here's a list of Web sites you'll want to keep an eye on for Black Friday deals, so sync them across your computers with Chrome bookmarks, save them to delicious or just store them in your favorite browser. |
Real Women’s Guide to Technology |
An MSN special that focuses on consumer technologies that can benefit women. |
 | Tech and gadgets videos |
 Retailers get social Nov. 25: Retailers use Facebook and Twitter to draw in customers on Black Friday. KUSA's Anastasiya Bolton reports. |
 | Video |
 |
Auto Tech |
A better economy may lure buyers, but these trends could seal the deal. |
SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. unveiled several new online technologies Tuesday, including early versions of an Internet classified service and a local search function that provides extremely detailed pictures of local streets.
Microsoft also said it plans to begin testing a desktop e-mail product designed to work with the company's online e-mail accounts, similar to Microsoft Outlook Express. (MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)
The spate of online efforts are part of the Redmond, Wash.-based software maker's broader goal of improving its Internet-based offerings, to better compete with rivals such as Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc.
The new search function, dubbed "street view," aims to give people a driver's view of downtown Seattle and San Francisco, using pictures detailed enough to make out cars and people. Available in test form, it's similar to Amazon.com Inc.'s A9 search engine, which provides detailed street-level views of certain cities.
Microsoft had previously announced plans to start the U.S. online classified service, called Windows Live Expo, in the hopes of competing with the likes of Craigslist.
The test version launched Tuesday distinguishes itself from competitors by giving people the option to narrowly define who sees their listings. For example, sellers could make their goods available only to people who work at their company, based on e-mail addresses. Or they could limit their offerings only to people on their instant messenger "buddy list."
It also hopes to be more geographically personalized by asking sellers to provide a ZIP code for searching purposes.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS |
 Tech and gadgets Section Front |
| Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide