Finally the long suspense and wait is over. Microsoft is finally launching its search engine with a new name- Bing. Bing is much like Live Search, with new added features and technologies like Powerset. Boasting of being the new Decision engine rather than the usual search engine, it is playing upon three key areas. As per the website it focuses on “features like cashback, where we actually give you money back on great products, and Price Predictor, which actually tells you when to buy an airline ticket in order to help get you the best price — help you make smarter decisions, and put money back in your pocket”.

Microsoft has finally decided close down the Question and Answer portal, MSN QnA by May 21, 2009.

“At this time, we are closing the QnA site, but the experience of running QnA and gathering all of the great feedback you’ve shared with us will certainly influence future product direction.”

The beta version of QnA was launched in August 2006 and also underwent a major upgradation about a year ago.

As we all know that Microsoft is going to rebrand its search engine “Windows Live Search” with a brand new name called “Microsoft Kumo”. The new search engine will finally be launched on June 2nd and expected to attract more users.

Here's a screenshot of Microsoft Kumo:

Microsoft recently launched a new pubCenter beta. Publishers who are looking to earn money through their site can take the advantage of the pubCenter site. Currently, all publishers can sign up for free at the pubCenter site.

Here are some of the main highlights of the new pubCenter Beta.

“ The Microsoft pubCenterBeta offers you the chance to include advertising from one of the leading online advertising networks on your web site. With the pubCenterBeta you can:

Yesterday we had reported that Microsoft is rebranding the Live Search into the Kumo brand . But there was no official confirmation from any source barring the official memo by Satya Nadella, a Microsoft senior vice president.

Now just after 24 hours, the software giant has finally made some official statements related to this test!

Microsoft Corp. recently announced their revenue of $16.63 billion for the second quarter.

What can you expect in this period of recession? Negative reports ofcourse. Their quarterly profits were down (contrary to revenue, that showed a slight increase):

“Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $5.94 billion, $4.17 billion and $0.47, declines of 8%, 11% and 6%, respectively, compared with the prior year.”

Who gives perks in recession? Well, Microsoft is doing that!

Microsoft’s SearchPerks program is running an incentive and giving away double tickets for three days!

These tickets are for every search with a maximum of 50 tickets available that can be earned each day. It is especially done to encourage the participants to do more searches on Live Search. (Jan 21, Jan 22, Jan 23)
SearchPerks is notifying members with an email that looks something like the below snapshot:

Recently Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made diverse announcements on the company's vision for personal computing, high-profile distribution deals for Live Search, and other aspects during his keynote address at CES.

It was not long back when Microsoft signed a deal with Dell that new Dell computers will be shipped with the Live search bar preinstalled.

The recession period is going strong! That means layoff procedure is still at its peak. According to certain reports, Microsoft is planning to lay off 17 percent of its total work force on or around January 15th.

So even this successful technology company is not spared from one of the biggest economic confrontations of all time. According to various specifications, it seems that a lot of layoffs will be seen in the MSN group, and other Microsoft EMEA divisions. To know more about the issue, tune in to Techmeme.

According to a news by a Seattle-focused Web site “TechFlash, Brad Goldberg,
general manager for Live Search, has joined the the list of other executives to quit the company as he will head up the online business at an investment-firm Peak 6 very soon.

According to Cnet news, a Microsoft representative came out with the following statement: