MSN recently announced its new version of MSN City Guides, which includes Live Search and Live Maps options. The new integration will make it easy to organize events with just a few clicks.

Local search results has been integrated throughout the site, so that users can get relevant results. The improved filtering capability of Live Search will make it easier for users to search for things based on their chosen criteria.

The Live Search mobile team recently launched two new features – MSN video search and MLB dashboard. The new features are expected to make mobile search more smoother and faster.

Microsoft Live Search Blog recently announced the launch of a series of SEM blog– SEM 101. The primary aim behind the launch is to train people in promoting their websites.

Microsoft recently announced Traffic, a new addition to its Live Search 411 (1-800-CALL-411 or 1-800-225-5411). The company has tied up with INRIX, a leading provider of traffic to offer latest traffic reports in your neighborhood or along a route. Moreover, users can also personalize information by saving your start and end points. The new feature also provides estimated drive time so that users can plan accordingly. The best part about this latest addition is that you can call and search from any phone, simply by saying it ( no need to type).

A few days ago, Microsoft launched a new version of Live Search Maps. With the help of this feature you can update your listing.

However, it was recently found that this feature can be enjoyed by only US businesses. In response, MSNDude, an official Microsoft representative said:

“Unfortunately, we currently do not support local listings outside of the US. However, I believe the local listings team is working to expand this in the near future.”

Microsoft recently announced the launch of an improved cashback shopping site. It will integrate Live Search Products (shopping vertical within Live Search) and cashback. In one of our earlier posts we talked about the positive results shown by Microsoft Live Search Cashback program. Microsoft believes that the new site will make it easier for users to research, compare products, and also save money.

Yesterday, was a proud day for Live Search, since it finally unveiled the must anticipated internet new brand– MSN Windows Live Search on kumo@microsoft.com. Every component of the new brand has undergone a lot of research and modifications.

Here are some of the amazing features of this new brand:

• Instant Weather forecast for your local area. Just type in your postcode followed by “weather”.

Recently, Live Search released two new features – Instant Answers and Active Answers. The primary aim of these features is to give instant and up-to-date information.

• Instant Answers

This feature has been released after keeping in mind the March Madness. With the help of this new feature users can get latest going ons in the NCAA Tournament such as Team Standings, Score highlights and other relevant information.

If you are a frequent user of Live Search Cashback program then here is some good news for you. It is now available on MSN Toolbar!

“The MSN Toolbar contains a cashback–offer-detecting mechanism. This means that wherever you search online — whether it’s Yahoo, Live, Google or Craigslist — the toolbar will gleam an icon if there is cashback available for the item you searched for.” -Mikko Ollila, Product Manager, Live Search

Excogitation Or Speculation? Microsoft is testing new test program called kumo.com for employees to try and give apt feedback!

Kip Kniskern of Liveside.net is reporting that Kumo is due for some extremely vital changes… But what are those changes?

It was in the month of November 2008 when we bequeathed a deeper insight on Kumo being the successor of Microsoft's Live Search.