Microsoft Enters Local Search Market With 'Live Search 411'

Microsoft thinks it has the 411 when it comes to challenging rivals Google and Yahoo in the lucrative market for local Internet searches and related services.

Completing the latest round in an ongoing revamp of its online services, the software maker on Tuesday unveiled Live Search 411 -- a combined voice and Web offering that allows users to locate local businesses or other points of interest through the telephone, PC, or mobile Web browser.

Phone users can call a toll-free number from any type of phone to find and get automatically connected to businesses within a given area code.

For PC or browser-enabled mobile users, an interactive feature overlays relevant information onto maps generated by local Web searches, including weather data and real-time traffic conditions that the service uses to create the best driving route to a destination.

"Microsoft is building on several years of innovation in imagery and 3-D visualization" to deliver the new services, said Satya Nadella, corporate VP of the Search & Advertising Platform Group at Microsoft, in a statement.

Microsoft developed Live Search 411 in partnership with Tellme Networks, which Microsoft acquired earlier this year for an estimated $800 million to $1 billion with an eye to stepping up its presence in the voice-enabled devices market.

Last month, Microsoft rolled out several enhancements to its core Live Search portal, including updates designed to improve results for queries related to entertainment, shopping and health care.
The efforts are all part of Microsoft's plan to increase revenues from online services such as search advertising. But the company has a long way to go.
According to market watcher comScore, Google held 56.5% of the search market as of August, Yahoo held second place with 23.3%, while Microsoft was a distant third with just 11.3% of all search traffic generated by businesses, home users and educational institutions.