NEW 'OFFICE SUITE' FOR MARKETERS... ADVERTISING

Microsoft has long built enterprise software solutions for myriad industries: retail, health care, sales. But now it has its eye on the advertising industry.

Microsoft and Mediabrands, the media division of Interpublic Group of Cos. that counts Microsoft as a major ad client, are collaborating to build a software system that marketers can use to track everything from search advertising and e-mail newsletters to CRM systems to TV buys in one place. To read more, check out the Ad Age article on the topic.

BOTTA 'BING!' NEW SEARCH FROM MICROSOFT

Microsoft on Thursday took the wraps off Bing, the rebranded and rebuilt search engine designed to replace Live Search. It's a solid improvement over the previous search product, and it beats Google in important areas. It will help Microsoft gain share in the search business. It's surprisingly competitive with Google.

Bing isn't available to the public yet, but you won't have to wait long. Starting on June 1, some users will get Bing search results from Live Search. On June 3, CNET says Bing will be Microsoft's new default search. Click here to see how it looks.