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Microsoft continues on/off public testing of new Live Search update (Rome)

A few days ago Kip posted about a temporary update to Live Search, with the new thin UI. Well the new version is back for the moment, so I thought I'd take the chance to highlight it again in case you missed it the first time round.

Those of you with sharp eyes will notice some changes to the search results and all the previous update features are still there, including Celebrity X-Rank and video previews in search results. Somewhat disappointingly, these advanced images and video features, including the scratchpad for saving your results, are still US only (hint add &mkt=en-us to your address bar). Hopefully that will change by the final release of Rome.

We also mentioned that Microsoft were considering switching brand-names away from Live Search with this codename Rome release. Unsurprisingly with all the Yahoo acquisition talks going on, we've heard that the brand switch has been delayed.

We haven't noticed anything else new in the Live Search test version that's out there, so let us know if you spot something.

Comments

 

Ryan said:

So how does just a simpe UI change make Live Search into Rome?

March 15, 2008 4:34 PM
 

derviskemal said:

I see the new search too, you would have thought that it would be compatible with standards support in IE8?

March 15, 2008 4:58 PM
 

Nick said:

I'm using rome here, and I'm not even in the US market

March 16, 2008 12:17 AM
 

Mephiles said:

I think it's perminent now.

March 16, 2008 10:41 AM
 

Chris said:

@Ryan: There's other parts to the update, the UI is just the most obvious and easiest to spot when using Live Search

@derviskemal: I forgot to mention it doesn't support the strict standards mode of IE8. As for why it doesn't, they are different teams so don't necessarily operate on the same timelines.

@Nick: Yes the new update is for all markets, but if you set the image search to &mkt=en-gb you'll notice its totally different to the US version - no infinite scroll wheel on the left hand side, no scratchpad on the right hand side etc. Video does seems to be the same (I thought it was different, maybe it changed?)

@ Mephiles: Lets see what happens Monday :)

March 16, 2008 3:18 PM
 

SteveBallmer said:

This stuff is coming along quite nicely, thanks to you people!

March 20, 2008 5:07 AM

About Chris

Chris has a regular day job, therefore needs to insert the standard blogger disclaimer:

Please note that the views expressed here at LiveSide.net reflect the views of the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of their associated employers, companies or organizations.
You can contact Chris via email about anything regarding LiveSide or Windows Live - chris*at*liveside.net

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