14 DAY TRIAL // October is one important month for the Redmond-based technology company, as Microsoft will launch not only the new Windows 8 and the Windows RT tablet, but also a revamped MSN portal.
The software giant announced yesterday that a facelifted version of the MSN portal would go live on October 26 and would be specifically aimed at users running Windows 8, Windows RT and Internet Explorer 10.
Basically, the new MSN page will feature the same Modern GUI as Windows 8, a “fluid design that’s clean, simple and built for touch,” as Microsoft said in a blog post.
“Whether you’re reading daily headlines or catching up on the latest gossip, the experience is intuitive and consistent. The content flows from the homepage to channels without interrupting the visual layout, and you’ll know what stories are most important, just by viewing the size of the story tile,” the company said.
MSN however isn’t the first Microsoft service that receives a facelift. Live Mail, the company’s mail service, was rebranded to Outlook.com and received the Modern GUI earlier this year, while Microsoft redesigned its website only a few days ago.
The new MSN portal will be built for speed, says Microsoft, emphasizing that the system architecture of Windows 8 will play a key role.
“Now you can easily view images, slideshows and videos, without compromising the overall experience. The result is a cleaner more “app-like” experience that allows you use the Flip Ahead feature to swiftly jump from article to article with a simple gesture. The pages render twice as fast as the classic MSN web experience. You can use the Snap feature to snap a given page to the side of screen – say your favorite stock- while you engage in another program or page,” said Bob Visse, general manager of MSN.com.
The updated portal featuring the Metro look and feel will also comprise a MSN News section, with content to be provided by AP and Reuters, but also news stories written by Microsoft’s very own editors.