A New Microsoft Search Brand for Phones Spotted

It seems that Microsoft might offer yet another new service to its mobile phone users in the second half of the ongoing year, a search one, which will be called Sift. According to the news on the Web, things are already set, as the Redmond company trademarked the service back in January.

The software giant made headlines a few times before for trademarking two possible new names for Live Search, Bing and Kumo, yet it seems that there is a third option, Sift.

Given the trademark description, one would easily understand that it is meant for use with mobile phones: “operating system software for mobile phones; computer search engine software; computer programs for searching email, text messages, address and contact information.” The company hasn't said anything officially on the matter so far, yet it all points in this direction. Additionally, a Microsoft spokeswoman is reported to have stated that the company “is always looking at new offerings for its customers,” though she wouldn't comment on the service.

Given the fact that the Redmond-based company is expected to release a lot of new services designed for mobile phone users, which will come along with the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system for handsets, there are great chances that Sift will also be unveiled at that time.

The Windows Mobile 7 next-generation platform, due for release sometime next year, is also expected to bring along a variety of improvements, in terms of both mobile phone usage and the services available, and Sift could land at that time, if it’s not made available with the 6.5 iteration of the OS.

Moreover, it seems that Microsoft has applied to trademark yet another brand for handsets, Swivel, which is described as “operating system software for mobile phones (cell phones).” This might suggest that the company intends to move away from the Windows Mobile name that describes the phones running under its operating system by adopting a new brand for them, and Swivel could very well be the alternative.