MSN Launches New Internet Search Service Designed to Give More-Precise Answers in Less Time

MSN Launches New Internet Search Service Designed to Give More-Precise Answers in Less Time

Consumers Can Find Information More Easily via Redesigned, Search-Optimized MSN.com

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today marks the worldwide(1) launch of the new MSN(R) Search, the first-ever search engine built from the ground up by Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) to help consumers more quickly search the Web and get precise answers. Now available in 25 markets(1) and 10 languages, the new MSN Search service delivers more-relevant results, instant answers to specific questions, and a collection of tools that give Internet users greater control in targeting and refining searches.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050201/SFTU046 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )


Consumers in the United States can experience this powerful service on the redesigned MSN home page at http://www.msn.com/ . The new home page features a cleaner look and feel and a simplified layout to make information even faster and easier to find. MSN Search now has a more prominent position on the home page, with convenient tabs that allow consumers to quickly target searches to the Web, news, images, music, desktop or Microsoft(R) Encarta(R).

"We're committed to continuous improvement in the speed, precision and ease of use of our search service," said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of the MSN Information Services & Merchant Platform division at Microsoft. "This built-from-the-ground-up version of MSN Search provides an infrastructure that enables us to rapidly innovate and give consumers precisely the information they're looking for, no matter where it's located."

Instant Answers and Greater Control Over Search Options Give Better Results for Consumers

Since the launch of a public beta version of MSN Search last November, MSN has gathered significant feedback to help further improve the product. Features designed to provide instant answers, not just a long list of links, include the following:

-- Instant Answers from Microsoft Encarta. More than 1.5 million answers
from Microsoft Encarta, the No. 1 best-selling encyclopedia brand,(2)
are delivered inline with other MSN Search results. Answers are
provided in categories such as geographical locations, historical and
popular figures, definitions, facts, calculations, conversions, and
solutions to equations. MSN Search customers in select markets can now
view Encarta Premium encyclopedia articles and associated media free of
charge for any two-hour session.(3)
-- Instant Answers from MSN Music. Consumers can type the name of a
recording artist, song or album into MSN Search and automatically get
links to music files and other top content provided by MSN Music. One
click allows these MSN Search consumers to sample music, and a second
click lets them purchase and download it. This feature is currently
available only in the United States.



MSN Search tools that give people more extensive control over how and where they search include the following:

-- Search Builder. These tools allow people to extensively customize
searches by emphasizing or de-emphasizing certain search criteria
-- such as a specific site or domain, country or region, or language
-- via a menu of adjustable onscreen dials.
-- Category-specific searching. People can fine-tune searches using
category-specific tabs such as Web, news, images, music or Microsoft
Encarta. In addition, a new Desktop category tab enables customers with
MSN Toolbar Suite installed to expand the scope of their search beyond
the Web to include items from their PC such as e-mail, documents and
media files, directly from within the new MSN Search service. MSN
Toolbar Suite is available at http://beta.toolbar.msn.com/ .
-- Search Near Me. This feature helps people tailor their search results
to a specific geographic location so they receive information that's
applicable to where they are or where they want to go. Someone in
Rochester, N.Y., who wants to find the nearest library no longer needs
to sift through so many online listings for Rochester, Mich. This
feature is currently available only in the United States.

Global Campaign for New MSN Search Takes on Exciting Shape


To show consumers how quickly and easily they can find precise answers with MSN Search, MSN is promoting the global launch of the new service with a widespread marketing campaign that includes a mix of grassroots promotions and broad-reach advertising. The campaign is expected to reach at least 90 percent of consumers in the United States and several hundred million other consumers globally. In some advertisements on television, the Web and in print, MSN Search comes to life with an animated search bar that changes shape to match unique query terms. For example, viewers will see palm trees sprout at the top of the search bar in response to the phrase "What is the average temperature in Honolulu?" Television advertising is slated to be featured regionally and nationally during high-profile TV events in the United States and other markets over the next several weeks.

About MSN

MSN attracts more than 360 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 40 markets and 20 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN brings consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ . MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) The new MSN Search is available in the following markets: Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, India,
Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South
Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United
States. MSN Search features vary from market to market.
(2) NPDTechWorld(SM), March 1993-March 2004. Based on total U.S. retail
sales.
(3) Access to Microsoft Encarta content varies by market.



NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and Encarta are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

MSN Search: The Search Engine With the Answers

Smarter than a game show champion and faster than an Olympic athlete, the new MSN(R) Search, which U.S. consumers can access on the redesigned MSN home page at http://www.msn.com/ , uses the power of Microsoft(R) Encarta(R), the No. 1 best-selling encyclopedia brand, to go where no search engine has gone before.

Instead of offering just a long list of links that consumers have to sort through, MSN Search provides people with real answers to many of their questions.

Don't believe us? Here are a few things you might want to ask MSN Search:

Dictionary Definitions
Define punctilious.
What is a kinkajou?

History
Who shot Abraham Lincoln?
When was the Persian Gulf War?
What is Michelangelo known for?
Who was George Washington's vice president?

Math
2y^3 + 4y -10 = 9
cos 45 degrees
5 !
What is e?

Sports
Who won the Super Bowl in 1977?
Who is LeBron James?

Conversions
How many inches are in a mile?
How many pints are in 18 quarts?

Popular Culture
Who is Dan Rather?
Who is George Harrison?
Who are the Beatles?
What is The New York Times?

Geographical Data
What is the life expectancy of women in Japan?
What is the mass of Jupiter?
What is the height of Mount Everest?
What is the capital of Australia?
What is the Brazilian GDP?

Nutrition
How many calories are there in spinach?
How much fat is in strawberries?

A Music Lover's Dream
In addition to providing answers, MSN Search offers music fans a fast
and easy way to find music and news about many of their favorite
artists. Just typing the name of a recording artist, song or album into
MSN Search automatically links the user to music files and other top
content available from MSN Music. With just one click, consumers can
sample music -- and a second click lets them purchase and download it.

Some popular music searches include these:

Albums
"Songs About Jane"
"Like a Virgin"
"Brand New Day"

Artists
Stevie Wonder
OutKast
U2
Jessica Simpson
Pearl Jam
Counting Crows

So, whether users are trying to find out the population of Europe or
the latest Top 40 hit, the new MSN Search gives them precisely what
they're looking for -- in less time.


Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050201/SFTU046
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Rapid Response Team of Waggener Edstrom, +1-503-443-7070, or
rrt@wagged.com, for Microsoft Corp.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp

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