Today Microsoft launched their new search technology, replacing Yahoo’s technology:
As expected, MSN, a unit of the software giant, has taken its Web search technology out of the laboratory, and placed it on MSN’s newly redesigned home page in 25 countries. Two and a half years in the making, MSN Search will now be the focal point of the updated, lighter-weight site; and it is the subject of Microsoft’s newest ad campaign, which includes television, print, Internet and outdoor promotions.
There’s going to be TV ads during the Super Bowl, and much more. Whether or not the search technology is better than Google, it has clearly caught up. More importantly, its refreshing to see a company take something out of beta (*ahem* Google is addicted to the word ‘beta’ *ahem*).
The new search is clearly a big deal for the company, as even Bill Gates has written a letter to customers about the technology. You can check out the search at the MSN site.
Read: CNET News.com
MasterMaq's Blog 
The only drawback I see to MSN Search being comparable to Google is that if it ever overtakes Google, it just won’t be as fun to say "MSN Search it!" as it is to say "Google it!"
But it looks cool.
That’s a good point Megan, but I suppose we’d do the same thing we do for MSN Messenger…you’d "MSN it" just like you don’t "MSN Instant Message me", you "MSN me".
google loves "beta"? how about this for a different spin: google bothers to test their products before describing them as "finished". 😉
Okay, thats fair, but usually beta implies that eventually something with change – at the very least that the product will be released one day. Take for example Google News, still in beta, hasnt changed a bit in over 2 years. Will it ever be out of beta? Who knows (ignoring of course that perhaps Google News is in beta due to financial reasons).
In any case, its a search engine. How much testing can you possibly do? The interface is strict. The results page is strict. As far as the user is concerned, nothing goes wrong. You can continually tweak the results from behind the webpage as users search, but that doesnt require the tag "beta"!
oooh..owned, mack you know your shit!