Microsoft Corp is making some of the features on its Internet division site, MSN, available to outside software developers as it takes on Google Inc in the Web-based information and services market.
Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, is encouraging software developers to write programmes that tap into MSN, hoping such programs will increase the number of visitors to MSN properties in the same way millions of Web users are attracted to Google's search, e-mail, news and other services.
At stake is the lucrative income from online advertising, particularly ads that are displayed alongside search results, the main driver of search leader's Google's revenue.
"What we want to do is attract people into the (MSN) network," said Adam Sohn, director of MSN.
By tapping into the network, other technology providers will be able to use some of MSN's content and services to create their own products. For example, one provider has created its own messenger that translates instant messages between Japanese and Korean.