Microsoft's Kumo search engine "coming next week"`

 

Gallery

By Barry Collins and Reuters

Posted on 20 May 2009 at 08:21

Microsoft is likely to show a new version of its search engine publicly for the first time next week, according to reports.

The software giant has been testing a new version of the service, codenamed Kumo, as it attempts to catch up with runaway search leader Google.

Earlier this week, reports claimed that selected US users had seen the Kumo engine when attempting to access the Windows Live Search site, indicating that the company was testing the new engine with live traffic.

Now a report in the Wall Street Journal says the launch is imminent. The search engine is expected to be unveiled at the "D: All Things Digital" conference, the newspaper claims. Microsoft has hired JWT to develop an advertising campaign for the product.

Microsoft wasn't available for comment.

Kumo will need to be revolutionary if Microsoft is to make any noticeable impact on Google's search stranglehold. Figures released earlier this week by Nielsen Online show that Google commands a 64% share of the search market in the US, while Windows Live boasts only 9.9%.