14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft announced earlier today that it would update its MSN portal with the same Metro look and feel as Windows 8 and other online services, but what’s more interesting is that the company will also roll out a revised news section.
Basically, Microsoft will deliver news content from two major sources, such as Associated Press and Reuters, but the Redmond-based technology giant will also create its very own news department employing several editors.
The company didn’t reveal how many journalists it plans to hire, but it did mention that all news stories would comprise between 300 and 500 words and will be written to provide “quick snap-shots of information.”
“MSN for Windows 8 brings you trusted, world-class news from a variety of sources, including new content relationships with the Associated Press and Reuters. We’re are also introducing MSN News which is designed to deliver the news you’re looking for, how you’re looking for it,” Bob Visse, general manager, MSN, said.
“Whether you’re reading news, sports or money, the experience is intuitive and consistent across categories and channels.”
The new MSN portal will be specifically optimized for touchscreen devices, including tablets, and will rely on the same Metro look and feel as Windows 8. Microsoft says that the revised service will be easier to use and faster, as it will be aimed at those running Internet Explorer 10 and Windows 8.
“MSN for Windows 8 is built for speed. Because Internet Explorer 10 was designed to take advantage of the system architecture of Windows 8, rendering complex page layouts and high resolution images is faster and more fluid,” Visse explained.
The revised MSN portal will go live on October 26, together with the new Windows 8 operating system.