Microsoft has unveiled a preview of its home page redesign, which includes Bing search, news and entertainment, and some of the social networks, all in a new look. The new home page also offers local information from the new MSN local information offering, MSN Local Edition.
Nearly 100 million people in the U.S. visit MSN every single month, and MSN added over 10 million new customers in the last year alone, Microsoft said.
Erik Jorgensen, corporate vice president of Microsoft, said: Now is the time to clean up the mess on the Web – people need less clutter and less hassle to find what matters most to them. Microsoft is uniquely invested in search, media experiences and technical innovation. Combining these assets to deliver our new MSN home page is a tremendous win for customers and advertisers.
The Redmond, Washington-based technology major said that the new MSN home page cuts through the clutter with 50% fewer links than the previous home page and a simplified navigation across news, entertainment, sports, money and lifestyle. It also provides easy access to Facebook, Twitter and Windows Live services, local information and in-line video.
According to Microsoft, the Bing search is deeply integrated as the core search service throughout the home page via key areas such as shopping, travel and local, and as a way of highlighting hot topics, trends or people.
The new home page offers news and entertainment from sources such as MSNBC, FOX Sports, Hulu and Hearst, and local information. In-depth local information is offered on the new MSN Local Edition that combines media with Bing search and provides access to community news that is grouped by ZIP code, the company said.
Mr. Jorgensen added: Customers told us they want the latest information from their favorite sources, their friends and the breadth of the web – and the new MSN home page delivers via a fresh new look and new features.
