Microsoft makes Search Live

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 8 Mar 2006 at 12:32

Microsoft has added a search component into its Live services and also launched a beta of Windows Live Toolbar.

Available in its full capabilities only in the US, the Search beta is powered by the technology driving MSN searches.

Searches load up results in web, news and rss sections. A Macro feature allows you to create customised search queries to be run as and when needed across different areas, such as property, shopping and so on.

Search results are displayed on the left and rather than being paged, offer a slider feature that allows you to scroll through the entire list. There are also options to show more or less information about each result returned, all of which also feature a button that allows you to run a subsequent search of the site referred to.

News results are more mundane, notable mainly because results are skewed to reflect the country you are in. Results from the feeds section allow you to add the RSS service direct to your live.com account.

Image searches are returned as a 'film strip' of thumbnails, although results returned showed the first 40 without any apparent means of seeing the rest.

Searches can also be run across email, local and the MSN Shopping and MSN Spaces blogging features, although some of these did not appear to have been enabled for the UK at the time of writing.

The Live Toolbar beta gives access to Live Search direct from a browser along with pop-up and phishing blocking, plus rss detection and tools for organising, sharing and saving information found online.

Much of this is possible due to Microsoft's acquisition of Onfolio. Using the Onfolio add-in, online information can be saved to the desktop annotated with keywords, research notes, highlights, flags and other organisational aids.

Christopher Payne, corporate VP of Windows Live Search 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.'

More information is available at www.live.com.