Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Sun Lends a Helping Hand to Microsoft, Bolsters Search Engine

In a recent announcement Sun Microsystems said that it will promote Microsoft's Internet search service in its widely-used Java program.

As part of this agreement, users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser who download Sun's Java technology platform will be given the option to also download the MSN Toolbar from where users can directly access the company's search engine.

Microsoft is looking to build search market share by probing every nook and cranny possible, and Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice president of the Online Audience Business at Microsoft, said the deal will help expose Live Search to "millions more Internet users and drive more volume for Microsoft's search advertisers."

"This agreement with Sun Microsystems is another important milestone in our strategy to secure broad-scale distribution for our search offering, enabling millions more people to experience the benefits of Live Search," he said.

Sun said the Java platform sits on more than 800 million personal computers around the world, or on 91 percent of Internet-connected PCs worldwide. The Java Runtime Environment is downloaded tens of millions times every month, Sun said.