A few weeks ago one of our readers spotted a countdown to "Kumo" at one of Microsoft's campuses in Redmond. From what we've gathered, Microsoft could be preparing to launch a public beta of codename "Kumo" (Which is the Live.com rebranding, and "Kumo" will not be the final product name) on June 2nd as that is when the countdown runs out.Today one of our readers spotted significant changes when he visited Live.com. The interface he was presented with resembles what we've seen thus far from the internal "Kumo" beta. So without further ado, here's what codename "Kumo" could turn out to look like when Microsoft's ready to reveal it to the world:
(Click for full size)
(Click for full size)
(Click for full size)
From what we've been told "Kumo" will not be the final name for the Live Search rebrand, LiveSide.net and Mary Jo Folley noted that Microsoft trademarked "Sift" and "Swivel".Looks like Microsoft is doing some public testing of "Kumo". The design looks fabulous; hopefully the search results will turn out better as well. What do you think?
















I can make more if you want.
I guess it will never beat Google if the only thing that you are looking for is something that is the same as Google.
If that is the case - just keep using Google. Some of us - might actually want to try, because we realize that it is unlikely that a single company will always stay "the best".
How's that?
I've been using IE8 for a couple days now, and really need to change the default search engine of the search bar. I play wow, and when I search for something in google if I add the text "wowhead" it will bring up the pages in wowhead that match my search criteria first. If I put "wowhead" in a Live.com search, I don't see "wowhead" pages until the 7th or 8th item down (if at all) most of the time. Umm...ok.... fail.
That may well change with codename "Kumo", when the final product is released
I am perfectly capable of thinking for myself. Yet I only use Google.
Empty space?
Excuse me, the screenshots were taken on a widescreen monitor, 1440x900. It's supposed to be small. They are trying to make Live.com look good on low resolutions.
I would say it has empty space because what the hell is supposed to fill that space. Id rather it be empty than filled with useless stuff.
Like Yahoo...
FTL. Did Neowin purchase these screenshots from EddiePwnsYou? I can steel images from others and put my watermark all over them as if they are my original content too.
Um... dude. I have also video proof if you want.
I can do live streaming of my desktop and anything you want.
Those screenies were taken by me.
I can do live streaming of my desktop and anything you want.
Those screenies were taken by me.
Um... dude.
Did you not read my post? I was trying to say that neowin didn't own your screenshot, you did
Beat me to it. Why do sites bother with this crap? They are all just scavengers recycling the same old news that is available to everyone anyway.
Oh wow! EXCLUSIVE screenshots of a search engine!
Its stupid that there is a huge watermark across the image. It degrades the quality of the news post. And why? Because some stupid paranoia that other news site will steel the content. (Which is really ironic considering 99.9% of the news posted is just rewording off of other sites).
Um, excuse me, smartasses, do read:
"Today one of our readers spotted significant changes when he visited Live.com. The interface he was presented with resembles..."
Sites like Neowin like taking pride in the fact they had the news first. It builds repuation and more traffic when a site has exclusive content, and in this case, seeing as this was one of our readers took those screenshots, yes, it counts as us getting exclusive content.
So shut your trap, and appreciate the stuff Neowin gives you, because Neowin does it's best to give you the best and the first.
+1 Neowin, don't listen to these boo-birds.
First of all, Eddie knew from the get-go that I was going to watermark them. He is fine with that. A) Every news site does this when they get an "exclusive". Watermarks are common in images when it comes to being the first outlet to report on the news. If you don't like it, don't read it. Simple as that.
To the person who said "Too much free space"...have you looked at Google.com lately? Its just as bad, if not worse.
I use Google search. I rather like its minimalistic design- where I can get my stuff done without the design getting in the way. That's what all commercial sites should aim for- easy to use, with little to no UI to get in the way of getting stuff done.
When you change your location to "United States", you are still seeing the current Live Search but it just has the background image this one has (with the birds). You can tell by the blue header which is above the bird image.
This news article is on about a version which has the codename Kumo user interface (with the search options at the side on the homepage).
In fact, an easy way for you to tell is by looking at the colour of the 'search' button with the magnifying glass. If that button is green, you have the current Live Search. If that button is orange, you have this new 'test' version which EddiePwnsYou has.
Ricksterm got the background by changing his market to "United States". Anyone can do that. I can and you can if you try it.
I was just letting him know that this is the current United States Live Search and not the Kumo-like Live Search which is written about in this article
How EddiePwnsYou got the Kumo-like Live Search? I really don't know
Is this something like this? or Really Kumo
Live[Kumo] Pictures
Thanks.
:p
As for search results, yeah, they seem to be pretty good in my experience.
Still not going to pry me from Google though! It's hard-coded into my skull :/
Where did that come from?
I think the name is terrible for a search engine to begin with. MS is diluting its brand with all this mumbo jumbo. MSN... Live... now this, and it all leads back to the same place. What does a "Kumo" even mean? MSN meant something, Live was suggestive of something, but Kumo?
I think the name is terrible for a search engine to begin with. MS is diluting its brand with all this mumbo jumbo. MSN... Live... now this, and it all leads back to the same place. What does a "Kumo" even mean? MSN meant something, Live was suggestive of something, but Kumo?
Kumo is just the codename. Live.com will be the actual name.
Microsoft have said Live Search (or Live.com) will not be the name of this new service
They are re-branding it completely.
It shouldn't be Kumo either.
For instance, on Live Search, the search categories are right on top of the search box in a style that is not distracting.
In Kumo, the search categories are along the left side, and do not add any extra functionality, nor aesthetics. It requires me to move my mouse more, and it just sticks out ugly, while Live Search kept it noticeable, but laid back in contrast to the background pic.
I can design a much better looking search engine than what the Live Search team is doing.
For instance, on Live Search, the search categories are right on top of the search box in a style that is not distracting.
In Kumo, the search categories are along the left side, and do not add any extra functionality, nor aesthetics. It requires me to move my mouse more, and it just sticks out ugly, while Live Search kept it noticeable, but laid back in contrast to the background pic.
I can design a much better looking search engine than what the Live Search team is doing.
Yea, the design is a bit ugly.
I'd love if they would remove those ads.
I tested that one just to make sure there was no trace of cookies or any other configuration.
Found the following:
A search for "Mature Wines"- I was looking for a price lists or brands of wines plus how long they take to mature.
Upon typing "Mature" the autocomplete gave me some unwanted results- Adult topics. By default the search page should filter out those results.
I would expect that on google if I turned off the filter. The filter is not default on to filter those results. I am an Adult but I was thinking about a child using the page.
Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!
Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.