REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 7, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the unveiling of a new design for its MSN
™
network of Internet products and services. A completely new look, easier personalization and common navigation across the network of Microsoft’s most popular Internet services make it easier for customers to organize the Web around what’s important to them. The upgraded MSN can be found at http://MSN.com/ .
MSN gives consumers one-click access to the full range of services, including e-mail, news, auto-buying information and games, that rank No. 1 based on percentage reach in their categories on the Web: MSN Hotmail, MSNBC, the MSN Carpoint
™
online automotive service and MSN Gaming Zone, respectively (Media Metrix, August 1998). The new MSN improves how customers stay in touch with people, interests and information.
Also publicly launched today, MSN Web Search, based on the award-winning and comprehensive search service from Inktomi Corp., gives customers one of the easiest and fastest ways to find the information on the Internet that’s most relevant to them. In addition, the new network includes MSN Web Communities, one of the largest Web-based chat networks monitored by full-time community managers.
“MSN is already home to the world’s most popular e-mail network, the leading Internet news provider and some of the Internet’s most popular commerce sites, making it one of the most useful sites for online consumers,”
said Laura Jennings, vice president of MSN.
“This latest release is focused on making our site even more useful to our customers, helping them to stay in touch with people and issues important to them and get things done online more easily and quickly than ever before.”
Common navigation features have been added to every site within MSN to provide one-click access to the Internet services people use most often, including e-mail, news, search, communities and shopping. In addition, features such as a ZIP code entry box and edit buttons make information more customizable at a glance from MSN.com. Microsoft has also incorporated the new MSN brand and logo across the network to provide visual anchors within the design that strengthen the customer experience.
“MSN has always been the place I go to check my e-mail, get the latest headlines, track my favorite stocks and keep in touch with my friends and family,”
said MSN beta customer Crystal Pietrowski.
“The redesigned MSN has made it even easier and faster to get to all of these services and more.”
A key element of the value that MSN brings to the customer are award-winning services that help customers find the products they want and make more informed purchases and financial decisions. In addition to MSN CarPoint, users can manage finances with MSN Investor, plan trips with the MSN Expedia
™
travel service and research a new home using the MSN HomeAdvisor
™
online real estate service.
MSN has teamed up with other companies as well. ESPN provides the latest sports headlines and there are quick links to TV Guide for television broadcast listings. MSN Shopping (formerly Microsoft® Plaza) provides consumers with a fast, easy and secure way to shop online with their favorite retail merchants such as Barnes & Noble Inc., 1-800-FLOWERS and Eddie
Bauer Inc. As a result of the MSN redesign, all of these services are now available on every site within the MSN network.
“Through our relationship, users of MSN will have quick, easy access to any book in print from anywhere on MSN,”
said Carl Rosendorf, vice president, sales, marketing and business development at Barnes & Noble.
“And Barnesandnoble.com will enjoy greater access to more customers.”
Today’s upgrade is another step in the continuing process to add features and functionality to the MSN network of services. Customers can expect new services and further integration among Microsoft’s properties to be added in the coming months.
MSN is the network of Internet services from Microsoft that helps people better organize the Web around what’s important to them. The network of MSN services, located on the Web at MSN.com ( http://MSN.com/ ), helps people easily stay in touch with friends and colleagues, make smart and secure purchasing decisions, and get more done. MSN offers award-winning
e-mail functionality; personal communications services; customizable access to news; popular sites for travel, investing, automotive services, shopping and more; an online community; a Web search engine and directories; and top-rated Internet access.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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Microsoft, MSN, Expedia, CarPoint and HomeAdvisor are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
