In brief Microsoft has bought a search firm called Lookout, for an undisclosed sum. Lookout specialises in search for Outlook, and Microsoft is to incorporate the technology into its MSN business.

MSN is gunning for much bigger search revenues and claims a $100m investment on search. This month it revamped its search website, clearing the clutter, to present a stripped-down Google-esque experience. Later this year it is to replace the search technology, currently supplied by Yahoo!-owned Inktomi, with its own inhouse effort. This will probably incorporate desktop search - hence the Lookout purchase - as well as Internet search. ®

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