Skip to main content

MSN and Windows Live Assessment is Mixed

According to the latest Current Analysis assessment, they are taking a slightly negative stance on MSN and Windows Live -- because while the ISP and Internet content provider benefits vastly from their being part of Microsoft, they are also beholden to it.

The Online Services Business division is tied to Microsoft Windows-based operating systems and applications. In the past, consumers left MSN's dial-up services in large numbers because of its high price, outages and periods of poor customer service.

While MSN has addressed these issues, its dial-up business is now dropping due to competitor broadband offerings, with telcos offering DSL in some cases below $20 a month. The Verizon/MSN relationship has been strained since Verizon made Yahoo! its primary broadband services option.

Yahoo! has now locked up the top two major U.S. domestic DSL service providers (AT&T and Verizon) to utilize its content and features. MSN showed up late to the search engine party in 2005, as Google and Yahoo! have captured a majority of market share and potential advertising revenues.

MSN initially grew its subscriber base by drawing on a blank check from Microsoft, outspending the competition to win over customers. MSN now has other tools it can use to generate revenue and increase advertising revenues. Microsoft is rolling out a new generation of online search and communications tools through its new line of services developed under its 'Windows Live' brand.

The MSN search engine is a way to drive advertising revenue and keep eyeballs on MSN Web pages instead of migrating to Yahoo! and Google for search tools. The MSN.com Web portal itself is also a valuable advertising tool -- not just to generate revenue but also to promote the software giant's Microsoft Windows operating systems and applications.

Current Analysis lists a variety of 'weaknesses' that it believes Microsoft must address, but I won't revisit those points. Instead -- as a beta participant for Microsoft's Windows Live, Office Live and 'Soapbox' video sharing platform -- while I agree that their ISP offering is clearly in a tailspin, their web services have an excellent upside potential. However, that said, I also believe that the Windows Live portal could be improved by enabling better integration of all these online services.

Popular posts from this blog

Industrial and Manufacturing Technology Growth

In an evolving era of rapid advancement, market demand for innovative technology in the industrial and manufacturing sectors is skyrocketing. Leaders are recognizing the immense potential of digital transformation and are driving initiatives to integrate technologies into their business operations.  These initiatives aim to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately drive growth and competitiveness in an increasingly digital business upward trajectory. The industrial and manufacturing sectors have been the backbone of the Global Networked Economy, contributing $16 trillion in value in 2021. Industrial and Manufacturing Tech Market Development   This growth represents a 20 percent increase from 2020, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of these sectors in the face of unprecedented challenges, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research . The five largest manufacturing verticals -- automotive, computer and electronic, primary metal, food, and machinery -

Rise of AI-Enabled Smart Traffic Management

The demand for smart traffic management systems has grown due to rising urban populations and increasing vehicle ownership. With more people and cars concentrated in cities, problems like traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions are pressing issues. Since the early 2000s, government leaders have been exploring ways to leverage advances in IoT connectivity, sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to address these transportation challenges. The concept of a Smart City emerged in the 2010s, with smart mobility and intelligent traffic management as key components.  Smart Traffic Management Market Development Concerns about continued climate change, as well as cost savings from improved traffic flow, have further motivated local government investment in these advanced systems. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, they found that by 2028, smart traffic management investment will be up by 75 percent from a 2023 figure of

How Generative AI Will Reshape the Economy

The Global Networked Economy -- a term synonymous with the interconnectedness of businesses, individuals, and governments worldwide -- has undergone a remarkable transformation in 2023. Fueled by the rapid growth of digital technologies and the global internet, this phenomenon has given rise to a worldwide marketplace that has already revolutionized the way we live, work, and play. The impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in 2024 will be equally disruptive to many traditional business leaders. GenAI will also create huge opportunities for the fearless pioneers. Global Networked Economy Market Development The Global Networked Economy's evolution traces back to the advent of the Public Internet. The introduction of eCommerce, social media, and cloud computing has been instrumental in reshaping how businesses operate and engage with their customers. This interconnected ecosystem empowers savvy leaders to access new markets, trim operational costs, enhance commercial e