REDMOND, Wash., July 27, 2004 — MSNBC.com today begins its test of the MSNBC Newsbot, a new way to give consumers personalized online news powered by the latest MSN
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search technology. For a limited time starting today, consumers may participate in testing this first-of-its-kind “personal newsstand” service that automatically taps user preferences to search for news from more than 4,800 sources.
“We’ve put the strongest assets of MSN and NBC News to work for consumers with MSNBC.com Newsbot, the only news search engine on the Web that offers personalized news using advanced MSN Search technology,” said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of MSN Information Services and Merchant Platform. “By providing a variety of ways to personalize the service, people have more control over how and where they get their news, which we’re confident will convince people to return every day, much as they would to a neighborhood newsstand.”
“The alliance between MSN and MSNBC.com offers an unmatched opportunity to provide consumers with the news that matters to them most — organized by their interests in real time,” said Charlie Tillinghast, general manager and publisher of MSNBC.com. “We want our users to be able to have a one-stop shop for their information-gathering needs, and MSNBC.com Newsbot provides them with unlimited access in their quest for that information.”
MSNBC Newsbot, which can be found at http://newsbot.msnbc.msn.com/ , is launching in beta form so MSNBC.com can better understand the user experience. The Associated Press is participating with MSNBC.com in the test to evaluate this emerging market segment of online news by authorizing use of its AP Online product, which includes top national and international news. When Newsbot makes its ultimate return to the site, it will be unprecedented in both its scope and ease of use.
“Neighborhood Newsstand” Provided by MSN Search Technology
Similar to MSN Newsbot offerings in 16 international markets, MSNBC.com Newsbot will extend the advanced search technology of MSN to the trusted news environment of MSNBC.com. This online search capability is comprehensive enough for the most voracious news junkies, yet personalized enough to automatically provide readers with stories tailored to their interests. MSNBC.com Newsbot delivers headlines in seven different categories of news and information, and offers consumers suggested news stories based on what they have read previously. It also provides readers with recommended links to the hottest news stories at any given hour. Specific features include the following:
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Around-the-clock crawling by Moreover Technologies of stories from virtually every major news organization around the globe, including the Web sites of major newspapers and leading television and cable news Web sites, as well as regional stories from the online publications of 50 metropolitan news organizations around the United States
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News headlines clustered in seven categories — U.S. news, world news, sports, entertainment, business, science and health, and technology — to make it easy to compare coverage from different publications
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Access to the complete text of each story by clicking on the link to the publisher’s site, which accompanies each headline
News-Search Service Extends Microsoft, NBC News Alliance
MSNBC.com Newsbot is the latest collaborative offering from Microsoft Corp. and NBC News. In 1996, the two companies created MSNBC, a joint-venture online and television news service. MSNBC.com also is featured on MSN Alerts, and MSN Video service is used for all video segments offered on MSNBC.com. MSNBC.com Newsbot is one of the newest components of Microsoft’s overall strategy for offering its customers the most advanced and convenient search tools on the Web.
About MSN
MSN attracts more than 350 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 38 markets and 18 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 MSNBC.com
MSNBC.com is a leader in breaking news and original journalism on the Internet. MSNBC.com delivers the best of NBC News, MSNBC Cable, CNBC, NBC Sports, MSN and Newsweek. MSNBC is a 24-hour cable and Internet joint venture of Microsoft and NBC News.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft and MSN 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.
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