Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates spoke recently about the enhancements being made to the MSN search engine. It sounds like Big Bill is determined to overthrow Google and Yahoo! from the top of the search engine world. Gates was quoted as saying the new MSN Search technology will be able to "understand" the documents they index, and plans to make web search "ten times better" than it is today.

I certainly wouldn't mind more relevant search results. If the new MSN Search can actually understand the content it indexes, and thus give better output - look out Google.

Read More | WebProNews

Gallery: Microsoft Planning to Overhaul MSN Search Engine

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Microsoft's next version of its Windows CE Operating System (5.0) is set to launch on July 9th. With this new version, Microsoft has also opted to give licensees a lot more control over developing for the platform. Licensees will have access to about 60-70% of the Windows CE 5.0 source code, which is essentially the blueprint of the OS.

In addition, Microsoft is also allowing developers to own the changes they innovate using the source code. This is a huge step in getting a larger base of software and applications which can be differentiated by developer.

Read More | PC Magazine

Gallery: Microsoft Releasing Windows CE 5.0 Source Code

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If for some reason you are all iTunes'ed out, or are looking for (legal!) higher quality music downloads, you may want to give the RealPlayer Music Store a try. We took Real's Download service to task, and are back with our report.

Click to continue reading REVIEW: RealPlayer Music Store

Gallery: REVIEW: RealPlayer Music Store

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The latest 'meet and greet' trend over in Singapore is an inexpensive service called BEDD. For approximately $0.57 per month users have unlimited access to the program, which is one of many "social network" technologies available via cell phone. So how does BEDD differ?

Users download the program, and fill out a short survey similar to a personality profile. From there, BEDD takes over. Using Bluetooth, the technology runs on your phone searching for other BEDD users within range (about 67 feet). If it finds someone, you are alerted and can then view their profile. From there, you can text message and decide if you want to meet face to face.

A good concept, but is 67 feet really a good enough distance to expect to meet someone that you are even remotely interested in? In a large city with tall buildings, BEDD just wouldn't work - however, there are over 1,000 members of the service in Singapore.

Read more on BEDD | Yahoo! News

Gallery: Meet Your Next Date In BEDD

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Although both companies will deny it vehemently, it is obvious that Google's Gmail service has caused Microsoft and Yahoo! to re-evaluate their email services. In response to Gmail's 1 Gigabyte Email service, Yahoo! recently upgraded their service from 4 MB to 100 MB. Now, Microsoft has announced that their Hotmail service will be upping their threashold from 2 MB to 250 MB. Both Yahoo! and Hotmail will also give users the option of upgrading to 2 GB of space (twice what Gmail offers) for about $20 per year.

Gallery: Microsoft and Yahoo! Follow Google’s Gmail Lead

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Ok, so you have been hearing about Microsoft's answer to all the Spyware, worms, and viruses appearing on Windows XP systems forever. Windows XP Service Pack 2 is near completion, and is scheduled to be rolled out at the end of July (barring any further delays!). If you would rather try it out now, you can download and install the latest Release Candidate of Windows XP SP2 right now.

Remember, this is just a Release Candidate, not the final version. Install at your own risk.

Click here for Windows XP SP2 RC2 installation instructions.

Gallery: Download Windows XP Service Pack 2 RC2 Now

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As mobile phones get more and more sophisticated, content providers are rushing to put out relevant and innovative ways for people to use their cellular devices. Verizon has decided to get a jump on the competition by providing their subscribers with Get It Now. This is a collection of features users pay extra for, but don't have to search out since it is accessible simply by using the Get It Now feature on enabled phones with Verizon service. Check out our review.

Click to continue reading Verizon Wireless Get It Now Review

Gallery: Verizon Wireless Get It Now Review

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Today Apple released the long awaited European version of it’s uber-popular iTunes Music Store. Apparently, while the “Big 5” labels are all signed, sealed, and delivered on the service, the independant record labels have decided to stay out. They are claiming that Apple is attempting to put them out of business. Personally, I don’t see the big deal. iTunes is just another avenue available for purchasing music. I don’t know how it is in Europe, but in the U.S. it seems that iTunes goes out of it’s way to promote the independant artists on the service.

Gallery: Apple Launches iTunes in Europe

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