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{{short description|Collection of Internet sites}}
{{About|the Internet service provider and Internet portal|the instant messaging service once called MSN Messenger|MSN Messenger|other uses|MSN (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the website and apps|the Internet service provider|MSN Dial-up|other uses|MSN (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}


{{Infobox Website
{{Infobox website
| logo = 2024 new msn logo.svg
| name = The Microsoft Network
| screenshot = MSN web screenshot.png
| favicon =
| caption = Current home page in November 2024
| logo = [[File:New MSN.PNG|200px|MSN Logo]]<br />&nbsp;
| url = {{URL|https://www.msn.com}}
| screenshot =
| caption = The 2010 MSN logo.
| url = [http://www.msn.com/ www.msn.com]
| Certificate = Normal
| commercial = Mixed
| commercial = Mixed
| area_served = [[Worldwide]]
| type = [[Web portal]]
| type = [[Web portal|Portal]]
| registration = Optional
| registration = Optional
| owner = [[Microsoft]]
| owner = [[Microsoft]]
| author = Microsoft
| name = MSN
| area_served = Worldwide
| launch date = August 24, 1995| current status = Active
| language =
| alexa = 9<ref name="alexaref">{{cite web | url=http://www.alexa.com/data/details/main/MSN.com | title=msn.com - Site Info from Alexa | accessdate=2009-12-27}}</ref>
| programming_language = [[ASP.NET]]<ref name="roadchap">{{cite web|url=http://rogchap.com/2011/09/06/top-40-website-programming-languages/ |title=Top 40 Website Programming Languages |work=roadchap.com |author=Roger Chapman |access-date=September 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927184557/http://rogchap.com/2011/09/06/top-40-website-programming-languages/ |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref>
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1995|8|24}}
| current_status = Active
}}
}}
'''MSN''' (originally '''The Microsoft Network''') is a collection of [[Internet]] [[Web site|sites]] and services provided by [[Microsoft]]. The Microsoft Network debuted as an [[online service]] and [[Internet service provider]] on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the [[Windows 95]] [[operating system]].<ref name="about-timeline">[http://webtrends.about.com/od/profi3/p/Microsoft-bio.htm About.com - Microsoft timeline and profile]</ref>


'''MSN''' (meaning '''Microsoft Network''') is a [[web portal]] and related collection of [[Internet]] services and [[Mobile app|apps]] for [[Windows]] and [[mobile devices]], provided by [[Microsoft]] and launched on August 24, 1995, alongside the release of [[Windows 95]].<ref name="about-timeline">{{cite web |url=http://webtrends.about.com/od/profi3/p/Microsoft-bio.htm |title=Microsoft timeline and profile |publisher=[[About.com]] Web Trends |access-date=May 1, 2012 |archive-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619222134/http://webtrends.about.com/od/profi3/p/Microsoft-bio.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The range of services offered by MSN has changed since its initial release in 1995. MSN was once a simple online service for Windows 95, an early experiment at interactive multimedia content on the Internet, and one of the most popular [[Dial-up internet access|dial-up]] [[Internet service provider]]s.


[[MSN Dial-up|The Microsoft Network]] was initially a subscription-based [[dial-up]] [[online service]] that later became an [[Internet service provider]] named [[MSN Dial-up]]. At the same time, the company launched a new web portal named '''Microsoft Internet Start''' and set it as the first default [[home page]] of [[Internet Explorer]], its [[web browser]]. In 1998, Microsoft renamed and moved this web portal to the [[domain name]] '''www.msn.com''', where it has remained.<ref name="msn96ecom">{{cite web | url=http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/734/Microsoft-Network-MSN-MSN-WORKS-FIND-ITS-FOCUS.html | title=MSN works to find its focus | access-date=August 7, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606060442/http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/734/Microsoft-Network-MSN-MSN-WORKS-FIND-ITS-FOCUS.html | archive-date=June 6, 2007 }}</ref>
Microsoft used the MSN brand name to promote numerous popular [[World Wide Web|web-based]] services in the late 1990s, most notably [[Hotmail]] and [[.NET Messenger Service|Messenger]], before reorganizing many of them in 2005 under another brand name, [[Windows Live]]. MSN's [[Internet portal]], MSN.com, still offers a wealth of content and is currently the 9th most visited [[domain name]] on the Internet.<ref name="alexaref"/>
== MSN, the Internet service provider ==
=== MSN Classic ===
[[File:Msn classic sign in.png|right|thumb|200px|MSN Classic sign-in screen]]


In addition to its original MSN Dial-up service, Microsoft has used the 'MSN' brand name for [[list of services by MSN|a wide variety of products and services]] over the years, notably [[Hotmail]] (later [[Outlook.com]]), [[Windows Live Messenger|Messenger]] (which was once synonymous with 'MSN' in [[Internet slang]] and has now been replaced by [[Skype]]), and its [[web search engine]], which is now [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]], and several other rebranded and discontinued services.
The concept for MSN was created by the Advanced Technology Group at Microsoft, headed by [[Nathan Myhrvold]]. MSN was originally conceived as a [[Dial-up internet access|dial-up]] online content provider like [[America Online]], supplying proprietary content through an artificial folder-like interface integrated into [[Windows 95]]'s [[Windows Explorer]] file management program. Categories on MSN appeared like folders in the file system.<ref name="msn95legaline">{{cite web | url=http://www.legaline.com/column7.htm | title=First Look: The Microsoft Network, by Robert J. Ambrogi | accessdate=2009-08-07}}</ref>


The recent website and suite of apps offered by MSN was first introduced by Microsoft in 2014 as part of a complete redesign and relaunch.<ref name="msn2014relaunch">{{cite news |last=Bishop|first=Todd |date=September 30, 2014 |title=MSN's rebirth brings Microsoft's new approach into focus |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2014/msns-rebirth-brings-microsofts-new-approach-focus|newspaper=GeekWire|access-date=October 1, 2014 }}</ref> MSN is based in the United States and offers international versions of its portal for dozens of countries around the world.<ref name="msnworldwide">{{cite web |title=MSN Worldwide |website=MSN|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/msn-worldwide|access-date=April 10, 2015 }}</ref>
Then officially known as 'The Microsoft Network,' the service launched along with Windows 95 on August 24, 1995. MSN was included with Windows 95 installations and promoted through Windows and other Microsoft software released at the time. Product support and discussion was offered through the MSN service, as well as information such as news and weather, basic [[e-mail]] capabilities, [[chat rooms]], and [[message board]]s similar to [[newsgroups]].


== History ==
Open access to the [[World Wide Web]] was not originally included in the classic MSN service at the time of its initial launch, but Internet access was quickly offered through Microsoft's [[Internet Explorer]] [[web browser]], which was available as a download from the MSN service or as part of the Windows 95 [[Microsoft Plus!|Plus!]] package.<ref name="msn95legaline" />
=== Microsoft Internet Start ===
[[File:MSN.com screenshot August 24, 1995.jpg|thumb|MSN.com on its initial launch day, August 24, 1995]]
[[File:Msncom-1996.png|thumb|MSN.com in October 1996, with the logo used from 1995 to 1998]]


From 1995 to 1998, the MSN.com domain was used by Microsoft primarily to promote MSN as an online service and Internet service provider. At the time, MSN.com also offered a custom start page and an Internet tutorial, but Microsoft's major [[web portal]] was known as "Microsoft Internet Start", and was located at [https://web.archive.org/web/19980127131339/http://home.microsoft.com/ home.microsoft.com].
=== MSN 2.0 ===
[[File:MSN-2.0-preview-open.png|right|thumb|200px|The [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZRJCeJhjLw MSN Preview] was a mock premiere event, with host 'Michael']]


Internet Start served as the default [[home page]] for Internet Explorer and offered basic information such as news, weather, sports, stocks, entertainment reports, links to other websites on the Internet, articles by Microsoft staff members, and software updates for Windows. Microsoft's [https://msnbc.com original news website] (now [[NBCNews.com]]) which launched in 1996, was also tied closely to the Internet Start portal.
[[File:MSN-2.0-on-stage.png|right|thumb|200px|Feature demo in the MSN Preview]]
[[File:MSN program viewer.gif|right|thumb|200px|MSN 2.0 Program Viewer]]


=== MSN.com ===
In [[1996]], in response to the increasing relevancy and rapid growth of the [[Internet]], Microsoft renamed its existing MSN service to 'MSN Classic' and created a new version, called 'MSN 2.0,' which combined [[internet access|access to the Internet]] with web-based multimedia content in a new program known as the 'MSN Program Viewer.'<ref name="msn96ecom">{{cite web | url=http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/734/Microsoft-Network-MSN-MSN-WORKS-FIND-ITS-FOCUS.html | title=MSN works to find its focus | accessdate=2009-08-07}}</ref> The service was promoted to existing MSN subscribers beginning October 10, 1996; the general release followed on December 10, 1996.<ref name="press-oct96-2">[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/oct96/msn2pr.mspx New Web-Based Version of The Microsoft Network Debuts - October 10, 1996]</ref><ref name="press-dec96">[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/dec96/msnlivpr.mspx Microsoft Announces General Availability of The Microsoft Network - December 10, 1996]</ref>
In 1998, the largely underutilized 'MSN.com' [[domain name]] was combined with Microsoft Internet Start and reinvented as both a [[web portal]] and as the brand for a family of sites produced inside Microsoft's Interactive Media Group. The new website put MSN in direct competition with sites such as [[Yahoo!]], [[Excite (web portal)|Excite]], and [[Go Network]]. Because the new format opened up MSN's content to the world for free, the Internet service provider and subscription service were renamed to MSN Internet Access at that time. (That service eventually became known as MSN Dial-up.)<ref name="msn96ecom" />


The relaunched MSN.com contained a whole family of sites, including original content, channels that were carried over from 'web shows' that were part of Microsoft's [[MSN Dial-up#MSN 2.0|MSN 2.0]] experiment with [[MSN Dial-up|its Internet service provider]] in 1996–97, and new features that were rapidly added. MSN.com became the successor to the default Internet Explorer start page, as all of the previous 'Microsoft Internet Start' website was merged with MSN.com.<ref name="msn96ecom" />
Microsoft promoted MSN 2.0 with a series of advertisements and promotional materials describing the service with the phrase, "Every new universe begins with a big bang." The company offered the initial release of the new MSN 2.0 service on a [[CD-ROM]] that it sent to MSN subscribers in the fall of 1996. When inserted, the CD-ROM opened to the ambitious and flashy 'MSN Preview,' an interactive video-based experience that introduced current and prospective subscribers to the new version of MSN and described the features of the MSN 2.0 software.<ref name="preview">{{cite web | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZRJCeJhjLw | title=First Look: MSN Preview video from 1996 | accessdate=2009-08-07}}</ref>


Some of the original websites that Microsoft launched during that era remain active in some form today. Microsoft Investor, a [[Business journalism|business news]] and [[investments]] service that was once produced in conjunction with [[CNBC]], is now MSN Money;<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cnbc-on-msn-moneys-stockscouter-celebrates-two-year-track-record-of-outperforming-standard--poors-500-70756152.html |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] |title=CNBC on MSN Money's StockScouter Celebrates Two-Year Track Record Of Outperforming Standard & Poor's 500 |date=July 8, 2003 |access-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220123414/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cnbc-on-msn-moneys-stockscouter-celebrates-two-year-track-record-of-outperforming-standard--poors-500-70756152.html |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/msn-money-same-microsoft-money-20698.html |publisher=[[AZ Central]] |title=Is MSN Money the Same as Microsoft Money? |date=December 5, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://money.msn.com/investing/an-epic-bear-market-is-coming/ |publisher=[[MSN Money]] |title=Savings and investing – MSN Money |date=October 14, 2014 |access-date=October 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913104243/http://money.msn.com/investing/an-epic-bear-market-is-coming/ |archive-date=September 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> CarPoint, an [[automobile]] comparison and shopping service, is now MSN Autos; and the Internet Gaming Zone, a website offering online [[casual games]], is now [[MSN Games]]. Other websites since divested by Microsoft include the travel website [[Expedia]], the online magazine [[Slate (magazine)|Slate]], and the local event and city search website [[Sidewalk.com]].
The MSN Preview was formatted as a guided tour of a [[wiktionary:mock|mock]] [[premiere|premiere event]] for the new MSN. It was hosted by a witty and sarcastic character named 'Michael' who welcomed viewers outside of a [[theatre]] and then guided them through the theatre to meet several other characters, each of whom represented one of the channels of MSN 2.0's 'On Stage' area, which was designed as the main platform for interactive multimedia content in MSN 2.0.<ref name="preview" />


In the late 1990s, Microsoft collaborated with many other service providers, as well as other Microsoft departments, to expand the range of MSN's services. Some examples include [[Bing Ads|MSN adCenter]], [[MSN Shopping]] (affiliated with [[eBay]], [[PriceGrabber]] and [[Shopping.com]]), and the [[Encarta]] encyclopedia with various levels of access to information.
A handful of uncredited [[actors]] appeared in the MSN Preview, including then-unknown actress [[Anna Faris]],<ref name="spumco">[http://www.davecurry.net/2006/11/06/spumcos-weekend-pussy-fur-hunt/ Dave Curry - Blog Archive - Spümco’s Weekend Fur Hunt]</ref><ref name="annafarismsn">[http://www.annafaris.com/multimedia/commercials/index.cfm The Ultimate Anna Faris Experience: MSN 2.0 Preview]</ref> who represented 'Channel 5,' which was described as "[[mass media|media]], [[zine]]s, [[Attitude (psychology)|attitude]]"; it was targeted at college-age members. The preview also included its own [[jazz]] and [[pop music]] loop that played during the installation process.<ref name="msnot">[http://www.ddj.com/184410144 Dr. Dobb's News & Views 2/1/97: MSN2 Alienates MSN Members]</ref>


Since then, MSN.com has remained a popular destination, launching many new services and content sites. MSN's [[Hotmail]] and [[Microsoft Messenger service|Messenger]] services were promoted from the MSN.com portal, which provided a central place for all of MSN's content. [[MSN Search]] (now Bing), a dedicated [[Web search engine|search engine]], launched in 1999. The single sign-in service for Microsoft's online services, [[Microsoft account|Microsoft Passport]] (now [[Microsoft account]]), also launched across all MSN services in 1999. The MSN.com portal and related group of services under the 'MSN' umbrella remained largely the same in the early 2000s.
Once installed, members accessed MSN content through the MSN Program Viewer, which was essentially an animated, stylized and streamlined interface on top of an [[Internet Explorer 3|Internet Explorer 3.0]] web browser. When members signed in, they would be presented with a several different 'Channels,' which were essentially categories for the various types of content available on MSN. These channels included new services such as [[msnbc.com]], a news web site that began as a partnership between Microsoft and [[NBC]]; and [[Slate magazine|Slate]], an online magazine focused on politics and current events; both were available to all Internet users, and both are still active, many years later.<ref name="press-oct96-2" />


The sports section of the MSN portal was [[ESPN.com]] from 2001 to 2004, and [[FoxSports.com]] from 2004 to 2014.<ref>[http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/112941/espncom-msn-tie-online-sports-coverage ESPN.com, MSN tie up for online sports coverage] – CIOL, September 8, 2001</ref><ref>[http://news.cnet.com/Game-on-for-MSN,-FoxSports-site/2100-1026-5250774.html Game on for MSN, Fox Sports site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307155040/http://www.cnet.com/game-on-for-msn,-foxsports-site/2100-1026-5250774.html |date=March 7, 2016 }} – CNET, June 28, 2004</ref> MSN had an exclusive partnership with [[MSNBC.com]] for news content from 1996 until 2012, when Microsoft sold its remaining stake in msnbc.com to [[NBCUniversal]] and the website was renamed [[NBCNews.com]]. Since then, MSN has launched 'MSN News', an in-house news operation.<ref name="msnbcnbc">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/business/media/msnbccom-renamed-nbcnewscom-as-microsoft-and-nbc-divorce.html?_r=0 |title=Microsoft and NBC Complete Web Divorce |access-date=July 21, 2014 | work=[[New York Times]] |date=July 15, 2012}}</ref>
Interactive multimedia content was presented in a TV-like format, dubbed MSN shows, as part of the 'On Stage' section. The many shows and sites included an interactive online nightly game show called 'Netwits,' a [[wiktionary:snarky|snarky]] web site addressing women's issues called 'UnderWire,' and a regular celebrity interview and web-surfing session called 'One Click Away.' These new destinations supplemented web-based MSN services such as CarPoint and [[Expedia]], which were branded as 'Essentials.' An additional 'Communicate' section was based around [[e-mail]], [[chat rooms]], and [[news groups]], while a 'Find' section was dedicated to searching MSN content and the rest of the Internet; it also provided a calendar of upcoming events and new shows on MSN.<ref name="press-oct96-2" />


As of May 2005, MSN.com was the second most visited portal website in the United States with a share of 23.2 percent, behind [[Yahoo!]] which held a majority.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 27, 2005|title=Hitwise Search Engine Ratings: May 2005|url=https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2005/06/27/hitwise-search-engine-ratings-may-2005/|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=Search Engine Watch|language=en-US}}</ref>
The new content made extensive use of multimedia and interactive features, including [[VBScript|Visual Basic scripting]] and early implementations of [[Adobe Flash|Macromedia Shockwave Flash]] (originally called 'FutureSplash') for animations.<ref name="msj">[http://www.microsoft.com/msj/0497/msn20/msn20.aspx Behind the Scenes at MSN 2.0: Architecting an Internet-Based Online Service]</ref>


MSN released a preview of an updated home page and logo on November 3, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/preview.aspx?vv=700 |title=Hotmail, Messenger, nieuws en entertainment vind je op MSN.nl |publisher=Msn.com |date=December 31, 1999 |access-date=May 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107091327/http://www.msn.com/preview.aspx?vv=700 |archive-date=November 7, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was originally expected to be widely available to over 100 million U.S. customers by early 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/nov09/11-03MSNPreview.mspx |title=Microsoft Announces New Logo and Site Design |publisher=Microsoft.com |date=November 3, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/11/04/msn-unveils-new-look-home-page |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906022037/http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/11/04/msn-unveils-new-look-home-page |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |title=MSN.com Preview |publisher=Neowin.net |access-date=May 1, 2012 }}</ref> MSN rolled out the newer logo, together with a redesign of the overall website, on December 25, 2009.<ref name="msnnewlogo">{{cite web | url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20091028/say-hello-new-msn-butterfly-logo/ | title=Say hello to the new MSN butterfly | date=October 27, 2009 | access-date=October 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="redesign">{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355286,00.asp |title=PCMag.com: Microsoft Integrates Twitter Into MSN Redesign |access-date=November 5, 2009 | work=PC Magazine |first=Michael |last=Muchmore |date=November 4, 2009}}</ref>
While the MSN shows approach was unique and innovative, the content was not easily accessible by members with low-end computers and slower dial-up connections. [[Broadband Internet access|High-speed Internet access]] was not widely available at the time, and some users subscribed to monthly dial-up plans that limited the number of hours during which they were allowed to access the service. The MSN 2.0 software was also unstable and would often quit unexpectedly.<ref name="msnot" />


In 2012, MSN announced on its blog that it would be unveiling a new version of the MSN.com [[home page]] on October 26, exclusively for [[Windows 8]], saying that the new version would be "clean, simple, and built for touch".<ref>{{cite web|last=MSN Team|title=The All New MSN for Windows 8|url=http://msnblog.msn.com/blogpost.aspx?post=64eb3e22-271b-4424-a5ce-475435a93d56|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003234009/http://msnblog.msn.com/blogpost.aspx?post=64eb3e22-271b-4424-a5ce-475435a93d56|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2012|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=March 26, 2014}}</ref> Microsoft said it would be more app-like due to the speed of [[Internet Explorer 10]]. More new features included 'Flip Ahead', which allowed users to swipe from one article to the next. MSN for Windows 8 also had new deals with the [[Associated Press|AP]] and [[Reuters]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Albanesius|first=Chloe|title=Microsoft Overhauls MSN for Windows 8, IE10|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410420,00.asp|publisher=PC Magazine|access-date=March 26, 2014}}</ref>
In addition to MSN 2.0's speed and stability issues, existing MSN subscribers were concerned the transition to MSN 2.0 would break up communities that were established via the MSN Classic message boards and chat rooms.<ref name="cnet-96">[http://web.archive.org/web/19961230193301/www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,5620,00.html CNET News.com: Mixed bag for MSN - November 20, 1996]</ref> Their concerns were confirmed when Microsoft announced plans to close the entire MSN Classic service. As a result of all these issues, a web site called [http://web.archive.org/web/19961221010429/http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9120/ The Official msNOT Hate Site] originated as a negative response to the new MSN 2.0 software. The site claimed Microsoft patently ignored feedback from concerned members and censored anyone who spoke out against the upgrade; it further charged the company's handling of the transition to MSN 2.0 was "insensitive and ethically questionable."<ref name="msnot" /> Microsoft denied it attempted to silence those who expressed concern about the upgrade.<ref name="msnot-nytimes">[http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/1123msn.html New York Times: Disgruntled MSN Members Launch Site to Air Grievances - November 23, 1996]</ref> The site also mocked the music loop that played during the MSN 2.0 installation process because it repeated the phrase "too stupid to stop."<ref name="msnot" />


=== Rebranding of services ===
Ultimately, the ambitious use of web-based and interactive multimedia content on the Internet during 1996 and 1997 proved to be ahead of its time, and the MSN 2.0 service was not as successful as Microsoft initially hoped. The company returned to the drawing board for its next MSN release.<ref name="msn96ecom" /><ref name="press-jul97">[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1997/jul97/msn4opr.mspx The Microsoft Network Previews Service Upgrade]</ref><ref name="ew">[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,282283,00.html Entertainment Weekly - Digital News: MSN Unplugged - March 20, 1998]</ref>
{{Main|Windows Live}}
Many of [[List of services by MSN|MSN's services]] were reorganized in 2005 and 2006 under a new brand name that Microsoft championed at the time, Windows Live. This move was part of Microsoft's strategy to improve its online offerings using the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] brand name. The company also overhauled its online [[software]] and services due to increasing competition from rivals such as Yahoo! and [[Google]]. The new name was introduced one service at a time. The group of Windows Live services used [[Web 2.0]] technology to offer features and functionality through a web browser that were traditionally only available through dedicated software programs.


Some of the MSN services affected by the rebranding included [[MSN Hotmail]], which became [[Windows Live Hotmail]] (now [[Outlook.com]]); [[MSN Messenger]], which became [[Windows Live Messenger]] (now integrated into [[Skype]]); [[MSN Search]], which became [[Live Search]] (now known as Bing); [[MSN Virtual Earth]], which became [[Live Search Maps]] (now [[Bing Maps]]); [[MSN Spaces]], which became [[Windows Live Spaces]]; [[MSN Alerts]], which became [[Windows Live Alerts]]; and [[MSN Groups]], which became [[Windows Live Groups]]. Some other services, such as [[MSN Direct]], remained a part of the MSN family without transitioning to Windows Live.
=== Less ambitious attempts ===


Following the launch of Windows Live, the MSN brand took on a different focus. MSN became primarily an online content provider of news, entertainment, and common interest topics through its web portal, MSN.com, while Windows Live provided most of Microsoft's online software and services. In 2012, Microsoft began to phase out the Windows Live brand, referring to each service separately by its individual brand name without any 'Windows' prefix or association.<ref name="windowslivedone">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/02/cloud-services-for-windows-8-and-windows-phone-windows-live-reimagined.aspx |title=Cloud services for Windows 8 and Windows Phone: Windows Live, reimagined |publisher=[[MSDN]] |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref>
In [[1997]], after abandoning the interactive multimedia format, the MSN service was again re-focused, this time as a more traditional Internet access service. With the release of MSN 2.5 in late 1997, some exclusive MSN branded content was still offered through the MSN Program Viewer, but the service mainly directed members to normal, text-based web sites that anyone on the Internet could access, instead of interactive shows.<ref name="press-oct97">[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1997/oct97/2.mspx The Microsoft Network Announces Significant Service Upgrade Backed by "Million Dollar Madness" Sweepstakes]</ref>


=== Subsequent redesign ===
Accompanying the MSN Program Viewer in MSN 2.5 was 'MSN Quick Launch,' an [[icon]] inside the Windows [[Taskbar|notification area]]. Like the MSN Program Viewer in MSN 2.0, the menu in MSN Quick Launch could be dynamically updated to guide members to updated MSN content and services.
Microsoft launched a completely rewritten and redesigned MSN website, making use of the company's [[Metro (design language)|modern design language]], on September 30, 2014.<ref name="msn2014relaunch" /> The new MSN portal features a new version of the logo that follows a style similar to other current Microsoft products. The website no longer offers original content, instead of employing editors to repurpose existing content from partners at popular and trusted organizations. Much of the existing content on MSN was eliminated as the website was simplified into a new [[home page]] and categories, some of which have [[#Apps|corresponding apps]]:<ref>{{cite news|last=Whitney|first=Lance|title=Microsoft unveils MSN makeover, rebranded apps|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-unveils-msn-makeover-rebranded-apps/|newspaper=CNET|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref>


* '''News''': The latest news headlines and articles from a variety of hand-picked sources. Synced with the [[#News|News]] app.
With the MSN Internet Access 2.6 release in [[1998]], the MSN Program Viewer was abandoned entirely in favor of the more familiar Internet Explorer. Another new version of the service, MSN Internet Access 5.0, was released along with [[Internet Explorer 5.0]] in [[1999]]. MSN 5.0 was largely identical to MSN 2.6.
* '''Weather''': Current weather conditions, forecasts, maps, news, and traffic. Synced with the [[#Weather|Weather]] app.
* '''Entertainment''': TV, movies, music, and celebrity news, as well as theater showtimes, tickets, and TV listings. Based on the former [[Bing (search engine)#Search products|Bing Entertainment]] service. Also includes the [[MSN Games]] website for online casual games.
* '''Sports''': Up-to-the-minute scores, standings, and headlines from leagues worldwide. Synced with the [[#Sports|Sports]] app.
* '''Money''': Stock market tickers and watchlists, personal finance, real estate, investments, currency converter, and more. Synced with the [[#Money|Money]] app.
* '''Lifestyle''': Headlines, features, and other content related to style, home & garden, family, smart living, relationships, and horoscopes.
* '''Health & Fitness''': Tools and information about weight loss, strength, exercise, nutrition, medicine, and more.
* '''Food & Drink''': Recipes, cooking tips, news from chefs, cocktails, and shopping lists.
* '''Travel''': Destinations, trip ideas, hotel search, flight search, flight status, and arrivals and departures. Previously based on [[#Travel|Farecast]].
* '''Autos''': Research and buying advice, auto-related news, information for enthusiasts, and coverage of auto shows worldwide.<ref name=OPPOSITELOCK>{{cite news|last=M.|first=Atlas|title=MSN Autos is back! (sort of)|url=http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/msn-autos-is-back-sort-of-1654793876|newspaper=Opposite Lock|date=May 11, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-date=February 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216152116/http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/msn-autos-is-back-sort-of-1654793876|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Video''': Trending and viral videos, comedy and pop culture, and videos from other MSN categories. Integrates with video search from [[Bing Videos]].


The top of the home page provides access to Microsoft services [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]], [[Outlook.com]], [[Skype]], [[Office Online]], [[OneNote]], [[OneDrive]], [[Bing Maps]], and [[Groove Music]], as well as popular [[social media]] services [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]].<ref name="msn2014relaunch" /> Signing into MSN with a [[Microsoft account]] allows for personalized content to appear and to be synchronized across devices on the website and in the [[#Current suite of apps|corresponding apps]]. The redesign of the website led to the closure of MSN's longtime personalized home page service 'My MSN', which was made up of customized [[RSS feeds]], as the new website no longer supports user-specified RSS content. However, it added some customizability, allowing each category on the home page to be reordered or hidden.
Around this time, MSN began to focus on being an [[Internet portal]] to users of other Internet service providers. Building on the success of MSN's [[webmail|web-based e-mail]] service, [[Hotmail]], which was acquired by Microsoft in December [[1997]], the [[.NET Messenger Service|MSN Messenger Service]] for [[instant messaging]] was launched in [[1999]].


With the 2014 relaunch, MSN now supports [[Responsive web design|responsive design]] and eliminates the need for a separate [[mobile website]]. The redesign of MSN proved positive and helped increase traffic with an additional 10 million daily visitors after two months.<ref name=WindowsOnBeta>{{cite news|last=Finney|first=Joseph|title=How has Microsoft's redesign of MSN.com affected daily site traffic?|url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/how-has-microsofts-redesign-msncom-affected-daily-site-traffic|newspaper=WinBeta|date=November 19, 2014}}</ref>
By the release of [[Windows XP]] in [[2001]] (which also brought with it [[Internet Explorer 6|Internet Explorer 6.0]]), content for MSN Internet Access subscribers was offered through a program called [[MSN Explorer]] (MSN 6.0). This was similar to the MSN Program Viewer in that it provided MSN web sites and content through a customized interface on top of Internet Explorer. The program was rebranded as simply 'MSN' for versions 7, 8, and 9, which were released throughout the next few years. MSN 9 was the last version of MSN's special software for dial-up Internet access.


In 2022, Microsoft began phasing out MSN for Microsoft Start, with news pages being moved to Start, and ads for the website appearing on the homepage. This was reversed in November 2024, with the Microsoft Start page redirecting back to MSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=2024-11-11 |title=Microsoft Start comes to an end as it reverts back to its MSN roots |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-start-end-reverts-msn/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=XDA |language=en}}</ref>
=== In recent years ===
In the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], MSN is still a [[dial-up]] [[Internet service provider]]. MSN remains the second largest Internet service provider in the [[United States]], behind dial-up leader [[AOL]], which had retained about 10 million subscribers by the end of [[2007]].<ref>[http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9046103&intsrc=news_ts_head ComputerWorld: AOL revenue, subscribers plummet]</ref> MSN bundles its dial-up service with an e-mail account at MSN.com and security software such as [[Firewall (computing)|firewall]] and [[anti-virus]] programs.<ref name="dialup2008">[http://join.msn.com/dialup/overview MSN Dial-up: A better way to connect: faster, safer, and smarter.]</ref>


Microsoft brought back the MSN app in November 2024.
For customers with high-speed, [[broadband Internet access]], MSN partnered with [[Verizon]], [[Qwest]], and [[Bell Sympatico]]. Verizon, Qwest, and Bell Canada provide the broadband connection and directly bill their customers. The included MSN software, known as 'MSN Premium,' offered a customized interface similar to the MSN 9 dial-up software and security features similar to the newer [[Windows Live OneCare]] security package. Subscribers received an MSN Firewall and MSN Virus Guard provided by [[McAfee]], and the [[Spy Sweeper|Webroot Spy Sweeper for MSN]]. The broadband Internet package from Microsoft has since transitioned to the [[Windows Live]] brand name. New customers of Verizon's broadband Internet service may only subscribe to Windows Live, not MSN Premium. Existing customers of MSN Premium who change to Windows Live may not revert back, because Microsoft has phased it out.<ref name="press-verizon">[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/aug06/08-29WLVerizonPR.mspx Verizon and Microsoft Expand Alliance to Provide Windows Live Services for High-Speed Internet Subscribers]</ref>


== Apps ==
== MSN, the Internet portal ==
{{Infobox software
[[File:Msncom-1996.png|right|thumb|200px|MSN.com in [[October 1996]]]]
=== Internet Start ===
| name = Microsoft Start
| logo = Microsoft start logo.webp
| logo size = 56
| screenshot =
| screenshot size = 240
| caption = Microsoft News [[widget]] on [[Windows 11]]
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{Start date and age|2012|10|26}}
| operating system = [[Web platform]], [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| genre = [[News aggregator]]
| website = *{{URL|https://www.msn.com/feed|Official website}}
*{{URL|https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9WZDNCRFHVFW|Download in Microsoft Store}}
*{{URL|https://twitter.com/microsoftnews|Official Twitter Page}}
}}
{{Infobox software
| name = MSN Weather
| logo = MS Weather.svg
| logo size = 56
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| screenshot =
| screenshot size = 240
| caption = MSN Weather [[widget]] on [[Windows 11]]
| released = {{Start date and age|2012|10|26}}
| operating system = [[Windows]], [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| website = *{{URL|https://msn.com/weather|Official website}}
*{{URL|https://microsoft.com/store/productId/9WZDNCRFJ3Q2|Download in Microsoft Store}}
*{{URL|https://twitter.com/msnweather|Official Twitter Page}}
}}
{{Infobox software
| name = MSN Sports
| logo = MS Sports.svg
| logo size = 56
| screenshot =
| screenshot size = 240
| caption = MSN Sports [[widget]] on [[Windows 11]]
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{Start date and age|2012|10|26}}
| operating system = [[Windows]], [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| website = *{{URL|https://msn.com/sports|Official website}}
*{{URL|https://twitter.com/MSNSports|Official Twitter Page}}
}}
{{Infobox software
| name = MSN Money
| logo = MS Money.svg
| logo size = 56
| caption = MSN Money [[widget]] on [[Windows 11]]
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{sda|2012|02|07|df=y}}
| latest release version = 4.53.63386.0
| latest release date = {{sda|2024|12|06|df=y}}<ref>{{Cite web
| url = https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfhv4v
| title = MSN Money
| website = Microsoft Apps
| access-date = 2024-12-06}}</ref>
| operating system = [[Windows]], [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| website = {{URL|https://msn.com/money|Official website}}
}}


The MSN [[web app|web-based apps]] provides users information from sources that publish to MSN.{{Infobox software
From [[1995]] to [[1998]], the [http://www.msn.com/ MSN.com] domain was used to promote MSN as an Internet service provider. At the time, MSN.com also offered a custom start page and an Internet tutorial, but Microsoft's major Internet portal was known as 'Microsoft Internet Start,' located at [http://www.msn.com/ home.microsoft.com]. It served as the default home page for [[Internet Explorer]] and offered basic information such as news, weather, sports, stocks, entertainment reports, links to web sites on the Internet, articles by Microsoft staff members, and software updates. Microsoft's popular news web site, [[msnbc.com]], which launched in 1996, was also tied closely to Microsoft Internet Start.
| title = MSN Esports
| logo = MS Esports.svg
| logo size = 64
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{Start date and age|2020|10|22}}
| website = *{{URL|https://www.msn.com/en-us/esports|Official website}}
*{{URL|https://twitter.com/MSN_Esports|Official twitter page}}
*{{URL|https://www.reddit.com/r/MSN_Esports|Official Reddit Forum}}
}}


Microsoft launched these apps along with the 2014 redesign of the MSN web portal, rebranding many of the [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]] apps that originally shipped with [[Windows 8|Windows]] and [[Windows Phone]]. News, Weather, Sports, Money, and Travel first shipped with [[Windows 8]], while Health & Fitness and Food & Drink first appeared in [[Windows 8.1]].<ref name="WMPowerUser">{{cite news|last=Viswav|first=Pradeep|title=MSN Health and Fitness App Now Allows You To Keep Track Of Steps Taken From Lockscreen|url=http://wmpoweruser.com/msn-health-and-fitness-app-now-allows-you-to-keep-track-of-steps-taken-from-lockscreen/|newspaper=Windows Mobile PowerUser|date=November 12, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717095447/http://wmpoweruser.com/msn-health-and-fitness-app-now-allows-you-to-keep-track-of-steps-taken-from-lockscreen/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="PhoneArena1">{{cite news|last=T.|first=Nick|title=Bing Food & Drink to debut in Windows 8.1, foodies take note|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Bing-Food---Drink-to-debut-in-Windows-8.1-foodies-take-note_id44546|newspaper=Phone Arena|date=June 26, 2014}}</ref> In December 2014, the apps became available across all the other major [[mobile device]] platforms as well: [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[Fire OS]].<ref name="WinBetamsnapps">{{cite news|last=Saleem|first=Hammad|title=The MSN suite of apps formerly known as Bing come to iOS and Android|url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/msn-suite-apps-formerly-known-bing-come-ios-and-android|newspaper=WinBeta|date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/12/11/microsoft-everywhere/ |title=Microsoft everywhere: MSN apps head to iOS and Android, company buys app service |last=Gilbert |first=Ben |date=December 11, 2014 |website=Engadget |access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref><ref name="msnappsdroidlife">{{cite news|last=O'tato|first=Tim|title=Microsoft Launches Suite of MSN Apps to Google Play, Includes Weather and Sports|url=http://www.droid-life.com/2014/12/11/microsoft-launches-suite-of-msn-apps-to-google-play-includes-weather-and-sports/|newspaper=Droid-Life|date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name="AndroidAndMe">{{cite news|last=Selleck|first=Evan|title=Microsoft Launches M.S.N. applications for Google Android devices|url=http://androidandme.com/2014/12/news/microsoft-launches-msn-apps-for-android/|newspaper=Android & Me|date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name="msnappsAndroidCentral">{{cite news|last=Edmonds|first=Rich|title=Microsoft's MSN suite of apps are now available on Android|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/microsoft-launches-suite-msn-apps-android|newspaper=Android Central|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214025440/http://www.androidcentral.com/microsoft-launches-suite-msn-apps-android|archive-date=February 14, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== MSN.com ===


The apps allow users a reasonable amount of freedom to decide which sources provide information. Each app has its own color code that is used on the live tile and internally. Originally, each app brought a unified experience with the MSN website and synchronized preferences across devices.
In [[1998]], the largely underutilized 'MSN.com' [[domain name]] was reinvented as both an [[Internet portal]] and as the brand for a family of sites produced inside Microsoft's Interactive Media Group. The new site put MSN in direct competition with sites such as [[Yahoo!]] and [[Go Network]]. Because the new format opened up MSN's content to the world for free, the Internet service provider and subscription service was renamed 'MSN Internet Access' at that time.<ref name="msn96ecom" />


There are currently four apps in the suite: Start (previously News), Weather, Sports, and Money.<ref name="cnetrebrandapps">{{cite news|last=Trenholm|first=Rich|title=Microsoft rebrands Bing apps under revamped MSN, coming soon to Android and iOS|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-rebrands-bing-apps-under-revamped-msn-coming-soon-to-android-and-ios/|newspaper=CNet|date=September 8, 2014}}</ref> In July 2015, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the Food & Drink, Health & Fitness, and Travel apps on all platforms, and that they will not be bundled with [[Windows 10]]; those three apps are no longer offered.<ref name="pcw-appsdiscontinued">{{cite web|title=Microsoft killing Photosynth and MSN apps, including Health & Fitness, Food & Drink|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2946842/microsoft-killing-photosynth-and-msn-apps-including-health-and-fitness-food-and-drink.html|website=PC World|access-date=July 19, 2015}}</ref>
The relaunched MSN.com contained a whole family of sites, including original content, channels that were carried over from web shows that were part of the 'MSN 2.0' experiment (although none of the actual shows remained), and new features that were rapidly added. MSN.com also became a successor to the default Internet Explorer start page, as all of the previous 'Microsoft Internet Start' web site was merged with MSN.com.<ref name="msn96ecom" />


After [[Microsoft]]'s acquisition of [[Microsoft Mobile|Nokia's mobile phone division]], Microsoft also started bundling MSN services with its [[Series 30+|Nokia-branded feature phones]], though the only supported model was the [[Nokia 215]].<ref name="GSMArena">{{cite news|last=Rawat|first=Sam|title=Microsoft unveils Nokia 215 and 215 Dual SIM|url=http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_unveils_nokia_215_and_215_dual_sim-news-10645.php|newspaper=G.S.M. Arena|date=January 5, 2015}}</ref><ref name="TheMicrosoftNetworkAh">{{cite news|last=Brian|first=Matt|title=Microsoft's Nokia 215 is its cheapest connected phone yet|url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/techandscience/microsofts-nokia-215-is-its-cheapest-connected-phone-yet/ar-BBhxfsv|newspaper=MSN|date=January 5, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008091542/https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/techandscience/microsofts-nokia-215-is-its-cheapest-connected-phone-yet/ar-BBhxfsv|archive-date=October 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LumiaConversations">{{cite news|last=Fraser|first=Adam|title=Meet Nokia 215: our most affordable Internet-ready entry-level phone yet|url=http://lumiaconversations.microsoft.com/2015/01/05/nokia-215/|newspaper=[[Microsoft|Lumia Conversations]]|date=January 5, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105222119/http://lumiaconversations.microsoft.com/2015/01/05/nokia-215/|archive-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> In addition to these apps, Microsoft developed a [[MSN China#Mobile apps|separate set of mobile apps]] specifically for [[MSN China]].
In the late 1990s, Microsoft collaborated with many other service providers, as well as other Microsoft departments, to expand the range of MSN's services. Some examples include [[Microsoft adCenter]], [[MSN Shopping]] (affiliated with [[eBay]], PriceGrabber and [[Shopping.com]]), and the [[MSN Encarta]] encyclopedia with various levels of access to information.


=== Microsoft Start ===
Since then, MSN.com has remained a popular destination, launching many new services and content sites. MSN's [[Hotmail]] and [[.NET Messenger Service|Messenger]] services were promoted from the MSN.com portal, which provided a central place for all of MSN's content. [[MSN Search]], a dedicated [[Web search engine|search engine]], launched in 1999. The single sign-in service for Microsoft's online services, [[Windows Live ID|Microsoft Passport]] (now [[Windows Live ID]]), also launched across all MSN services in 1999. The MSN.com portal and related group of services under the 'MSN' umbrella remained largely the same throughout much of the next decade.
{{Main|Microsoft Start}}
<!-- Bing News is different from MSN News and Bing News the app, respectively -->
'''Microsoft Start''' (previously named '''Microsoft News''') was a [[news aggregator]] and service that featured news headlines and articles chosen by editors. The app includes sections for top stories, U.S., world, money, technology, entertainment, opinion, sports, and crime, along with other miscellaneous stories. It allows users to set their own personalized favorite topics and sources, receive notifications of breaking news through alerts, filter preferred news sources, and alter font sizes to make articles easier to read.<ref name="WindowsCentral">{{cite news|last=Rubino|first=Daniël|title=Microsoft announces Bing Apps for Windows Phone 8, bringing News, Weather, Sports and Finance to the small screen [Updated]|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-announces-bing-apps-windows-phone-8|newspaper=Windows Central|date=August 7, 2013}}</ref>


Originally, Start included an RSS feed, but that capability was removed; Microsoft currently only allows users to subscribe to specified news sources, thereby curating news.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/msn-news-windows-10-now-lets-you-add-select-media-sources-fast-ring|title=MSN News for Windows 10 now lets you add select media sources (Fast Ring)|date=June 23, 2016}}</ref> Start uses the chaseable live tile feature introduced in the [[Windows 10 Anniversary Update]]. If a user clicks on the Microsoft News Start menu tile when a particular story is shown, the user will see a link to that story at the top of the app when it launches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/heres-whats-coming-live-tiles-notifications-windows-10|title=Chasable Live Tiles, Adaptive notifications, improved Action Center coming to Windows 10 – On MSFT|date=April 1, 2016}}</ref>
On November 5 2009, Microsoft [http://www.msn.com/preview.aspx?vv=700 released a preview] of their new homepage and logo. It was expected to be widely available to over 100 million U.S. customers early 2010.<ref>[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/nov09/11-03MSNPreview.mspx Microsoft Announces New Logo and Site Design]</ref><ref>[http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/11/04/msn-unveils-new-look-home-page MSN.com Preview]</ref>


===Windows Live===
=== Weather ===
'''MSN Weather''' (originally named '''Bing Weather''') shows weather from a user's current location or any other location worldwide, and it allows users to define their favorite places, which will synchronize back to the Microsoft Start and across devices. Users can pin Weather tiles to the [[Start menu]] to see local weather conditions from multiple locations at a glance. It also offers satellite maps and has information regarding [[ski resorts]].<ref name="SearchEngineLand">{{cite news|last=Schwartz|first=Barry|title=Bing Updates Windows 8 Apps Enhancing News, Finance, Weather, Sports, Maps & Travel|url=http://searchengineland.com/bing-updates-windows-8-apps-enhancing-news-finance-weather-sports-maps-travel-155973|newspaper=Search Engine Land|date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> The app receives its weather conditions and [[weather forecast|forecasts]] from a variety of sources internationally.<ref name="WideUpdates">{{cite news|last=Updates|first=Wide|title=BING WEATHER :REVIEW|url=http://wideupdates.com/index/bing-weather-review/|newspaper=WideUpdates|date=August 27, 2013|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213112727/http://wideupdates.com/index/bing-weather-review/|archive-date=February 13, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Weather uses weather conditions as the background, making it the only app that does not have a light/dark switch in Windows 10. Weather is not available for iOS; however, it comes preinstalled on the [[Nokia 215]] phone from [[Microsoft Mobile]] that runs [[Series 30+]]; it is currently the only [[feature phone]] to have the app built-in.<ref name="LumiaConversations" />
[[File:Windows Live logo.svg|thumb|right|200px|[[Windows Live]] logo]]
{{main|Windows Live}}
Many of MSN's services were reorganized in 2005 and 2006 under a new brand name, [[Windows Live]]. This move was part of Microsoft's strategy to improve its online offerings using the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] brand name. The company also overhauled its online [[software]] and services due to increasing competition from rivals such as [[Yahoo!]] and [[Google]]. The new name was introduced one service at a time. Windows Live uses '[[Web 2.0]]' technology to offer features and functionality through a web browser that were traditionally only available through dedicated software programs.


=== Money ===
Some of the MSN services affected by the rebranding included [[MSN Hotmail]], which became [[Windows Live Hotmail]]; [[MSN Messenger]], which became [[Windows Live Messenger]]; [[MSN Search]], which became [[Live Search]] (now known as [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]]); [[MSN Virtual Earth]], which became [[Live Search Maps]]; [[MSN Spaces]], which became [[Windows Live Spaces]]; [[MSN Alerts]], which became [[Windows Live Alerts]]; and [[MSN Groups]], which became [[Windows Live Groups]]. Some other related services, such as [[MSN Direct]], have remained a part of the MSN family without transitioning to Windows Live.
'''MSN Money''' (originally '''MoneyCentral''', then '''MSN Moneycentral''', before being rebranded as '''MSN Money''' in the mid-2000s - prior to being relaunched as a spin-off of '''Bing Finance''') allows users to set up lists of publicly listed companies to watch, follow certain [[corporation]]s and receive stock updates, get the latest headlines regarding international markets, view real-time trading figures with a 30-minute delay, track their own [[personal finance]]s, calculate [[Mortgage loan|mortgages]], get information on [[bond (finance)|bonds]] and other financial assets, and [[currency converter|convert currency]].<ref name="Neowin">{{cite news|last=Callaham|first=John|title=Bing Windows Phone apps now sync to Windows 8|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/bing-windows-phone-apps-now-sync-to-windows8|newspaper=Neowin|date=February 18, 2014}}</ref><ref name="FinanceAppDummies">{{cite news|last=Leonhard|first=Woody|title=The Windows 8.1 Bing Finance App|url=http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-windows-81-bing-finance-app.html?cid=RSS_DUMMIES2_CONTENT|newspaper=Dummies.com|date=April 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name="PCAdvisorBingFinance">{{cite news|last=Hattersley|first=Rosemary|title=Bing Finance for Windows 8 review|url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/windows/3362176/bing-finance-for-windows-8-review/|newspaper=Personal Computer Advisor|date=June 6, 2012}}</ref>


=== Esports Hub ===
[[File:MSN logo.svg|right|thumb|175px|The former MSN logo used from 1999-2010. It is now used as a secondary logo.]]
'''MSN Esports''' (often referred to as '''MSN Esports Hub'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=Dave|date=October 22, 2020|title=Introducing the MSN Esports Hub|url=https://blogs.msn.com/introducing-the-msn-esports-hub/|access-date=March 8, 2021|website=Microsoft News Blog}}</ref>) is a Bing intelligence [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] curated webpage for the growing [[esports]] industry. Users can watch integrated streams from [[YouTube]] or [[Twitch (service)|Twitch.]] Microsoft's advanced AI called "Watch For", the algorithm originally made for Microsoft's [[Mixer (service)|Mixer]] is an artificial intelligence that uses computer vision algorithms on livestreams so that it can alert the viewer of significant moments. This algorithm is implemented in the MSN Esports Hub.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watch For|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/garage/wall-of-fame/watch-for/|website=Microsoft Garage}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Users can also check the calendar for dates of upcoming e-sport events and tournaments or the news for updates on games and their tournament. After the creation of the MSN Esports Hub, [[Microsoft]] acquired Smash.gg; an e-sport tournament platform.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Luongo|first=Cody|date=December 3, 2020|title=Microsoft acquires esports tournament platform Smash.gg|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2020/12/microsoft-acquires-esports-tournament-platform-smash-gg/|access-date=March 9, 2021|newspaper=Esportsinsider|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Following the launch of Windows Live, the MSN brand took on a different focus. MSN is now primarily an online content provider of news, entertainment, and common interest topics through its Internet portal, [http://www.msn.com/ MSN.com], while Windows Live now provides most of Microsoft's online software and services.
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"

|+Games supported on the MSN Esports Hub<ref name=":0" />
Microsoft has rolled out a new MSN logo,<ref name="msnnewlogo">{{cite web | url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20091028/say-hello-new-msn-butterfly-logo/ | title=Say hello to the new MSN butterfly | accessdate=2009-10-31}}</ref> coupled with a major redesign of their overall site. The redesigned site was in preview mode until 6:30 ET on December 25, 2009, when it permanently changed.<ref name="redesign">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355286,00.asp |title=PCMag.com: Microsoft Integrates Twitter Into MSN Redesign |accessdate=2009-11-05}}</ref>
!Supported games

== Other services known as "MSN" ==
:''In addition to the Internet service provider and the Internet portal, the name "MSN" has been used for a number of related services. The two most popular of these are Hotmail and Messenger. For further information, see [[List of MSN Services|List of MSN services]].''
=== Hotmail ===
{{main|Hotmail}}
Hotmail is a free [[webmail|web-based e-mail]] service by Microsoft. Originally started as an independent service in [[1996]], it became part of the MSN family in [[1997]]. Since [[2006]], it has been part of Microsoft's [[Windows Live]] group of online services. Hotmail has over 380 million users worldwide and is available in 35 languages.<ref name=users>{{cite web| author=Hotmail staff| url=http://mailcall.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!CC9301187A51FE33!29123.entry| publisher=[[Microsoft]]| title=We Heard You Loud and Clear| accessdate=2008-08-20}}</ref>

=== MSN Messenger ===
{{main|.NET Messenger Service}}
MSN launched an instant messaging service in [[1999]] to compete with [[AOL Instant Messenger]], which was originally known as 'MSN Messenger Service' and was later shortened to simply 'MSN Messenger.' Currently, the underlying technology is known as '[[.NET Messenger Service]],' while [[Windows Live Messenger]] is the name of the main program used to access the service. Regardless, the term 'MSN' has come to be synonymous with the service in [[Internet slang]].

=== MSN Explorer ===
{{main|MSN Explorer}}
[[MSN Explorer]] is an internet browser that ties MSN Messenger and Hotmail together into an all-in-one Internet access software program. MSN Explorer 1.1 was originally included with [[Windows Whistler]] build 2410. Server versions of Windows Whistler did not include it. MSN Explorer is similar in many ways to AOL's internet software as [[AOL]] has an email client built in and both programs provide access to special members-only content. Versions of MSN Explorer later than 7.5 require paid subscription, however, it is possible to use another Internet Service Provider while accessing content provided through the MSN Explorer software. The latest version of MSN Explorer is 9.6.

A 10th version appeared briefly within [[Windows Longhorn]]. MSN Explorer version 10 did not appear in the gold release of [[Windows Vista]], the finalized version of Longhorn.

Upon confirming with MSN support MSN version 10 will begin rolling out November 2009, with a full rollout finished to all paying subscribers by the end of 2009. Features include full Internet Explorer 8 compatibility, integrated spell checker, and the ability to not include MSN messenger in the installation.

==International services==

Microsoft extended its MSN services beyond the [[United States]], partnering with local telecommunications companies and broadcast stations to provide service in numerous areas around the world. In [[Canada]], MSN has partnered with [[Bell Sympatico]] (the [[Internet Service Provider|ISP]] division of [[Bell Canada]]) creating "[http://sympatico.msn.ca Sympatico / MSN]."

In [[Australia]], Microsoft originally partnered with [[Telstra]] in 1995 with MSN branded locally as '''OnAustralia'''. When Microsoft withdrew from the joint venture the following year, Telstra assumed 100% ownership and rebranded the service as [[BigPond]]. Microsoft subsequently partnered with the [[Nine Network]] to create "[[ninemsn]]".

In [[Mexico]], MSN has partenered with [[Telmex]]' [[Prodigy (online service)|Prodigy]] creating "[http://prodigy.msn.com/ Prodigy / MSN]." An affiliation with [[Xtra (ISP)|Xtra]], [[Telecom New Zealand]]'s Internet provider ended in [[2006]] (see [[XtraMSN]]).<ref>[http://www.msn.com/worldwide.aspx MSN Worldwide] (accessed 2007-09-20)</ref>

MSN has many offices worldwide for national customer support. It utilizes the service of call centers around the world. Among the countries are the [[Philippines]] (technical and customer service), [[El Salvador]] (technical and customer support for [[Spanish language|Spanish]]-speaking customers), and [[India]] (customer service). In 2007, Microsoft set up a research and development center for MSN services in [[China]], based in [[Shanghai]]'s Zizhu Science Park. The center hosts a technical support team for MSN services.<ref>[http://www.gadget4boys.com/index.php?page=articles&catid=3&id=21 Microsoft's Research and Development Center in China]</ref>

List of MSN local websites:
{{Div col|cols=5}}
{| | class="wikitable" | style="font-size: 100%;"
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Africa:'''
|-
|-
|''[[League of Legends]]''
| South Africa
|-
|-
|''[[Valorant]]''
| Maghreb
|-
|-
|''[[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive]]''
|align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"| '''Americas:'''
|-
|-
|''[[Dota 2]]''
| Argentina
|-
|-
|''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]''
| Brazil
|-
|-
|''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]''
| Canada: English
|-
|-
|''[[PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds]]''
| Canada: French
|-
|-
|''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare]]''
| Chile
|-
|-
|''[[Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege]]''
| Colombia
|-
|-
|''[[Rocket League]]''
| Latin America
|-
|-
|''[[FIFA (video game series)|FIFA]]''
| Mexico
|-
|-
|''[[Gears of War]]''
| Peru
|-
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|Super Smash Bros.]]''
| United States: English
|}<!-- The ordering here is based on the order these sections are listed on msn.com -->
|-
| United States: Spanish
|-
| Venezuela
|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Asia:'''
|-
| China
|-
| Hong Kong
|-
| India
|-
| Indonesia
|-
| Japan
|-
| Korea
|-
| Malaysia
|-
| Philippines
|-
| Singapore
|-
| Taiwan
|-
| Thailand
|-
|align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"| '''Australia:'''
|-
| Australia
|-
| New Zealand
|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Europe & Middle East:'''
|-
| Arabia
|-
| Austria
|-
| Belgium (Dutch)
|-
| Belgium (French)
|-
| Denmark
|-
| Finland
|-
| France
|-
| Germany
|-
| Greece
|-
| Ireland
|-
| Israel
|-
| Italy
|-
| Netherlands
|-
| Norway
|-
| Poland
|-
| Portugal
|-
| Russia
|-
| Spain
|-
| Sweden
|-
| Switzerland (German)
|-
| Switzerland (French)
|-
| Turkey
|-
| United Kingdom
|}
{{Div col end}}


=== Discontinued apps ===
==See also==
{{Sisterlinks}}
*[[Comparison of instant messaging clients]]
*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Microsoft Windows]]
*[[MSN Chat]]
*[[MSN Messenger]]
*[[MSN Search]]
*[[MSN Soapbox]]
*[[MSN Video]]
*[[msnbc.com]]


==== Food & Drink ====
==References==
'''MSN Food & Drink''' (originally named '''Bing Food & Drink''') is a discontinued [[recipe]] app that offers news related to foods and drinks, a personal [[shopping list]] that synchronizes across devices and the web, and a [[wine]] encyclopedia that contains information on over 1.5{{nbsp}}million [[wine bottle|bottles of wine]], over 3.3{{nbsp}}million [[wine tasting|tasting notes]], and hundreds of [[cocktail]] recipes.<ref name=MicrosoftNews>{{cite news|last=Amin|first=Suril|title=Microsoft Details New Windows 8.1 Bing App: Food & Drink|url=http://microsoft-news.com/microsoft-details-new-windows-8-1-bing-app-food-drink/|newspaper=Microsoft-News|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-date=February 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220031514/http://microsoft-news.com/microsoft-details-new-windows-8-1-bing-app-food-drink/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Users can control the app hands-free, add their own recipes from physical [[cookbook]]s or personal recipes by snapping a photo, add notes to recipes, and sort the recipes into collections.<ref name=AddictiveTips>{{cite news|last=Wahab|first=Fatima|title=Food & Drink: The Windows 8.1 Recipe App With Hands-Free Control|url=http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/bing-food-drink-the-windows-8-1-recipe-app-with-hands-free-control/|newspaper=Addictive Tips|date=June 29, 2013}}</ref> The app also collects information from famous [[chef]]s and lists them according to their style of cuisine.<ref name=Engadget>{{cite news|last=Fingas|first=Jon|title=New Microsoft app brings recipes and grocery lists to your Windows Phone|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/30/bing-food-and-drink-windows-phone/|newspaper=[[Engadget]] by America On-Line|date=January 30, 2014}}</ref>
{{Refimprove|date=October 2008}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==== Health & Fitness ====
==External links==
'''MSN Health & Fitness''' (originally named '''Bing Health & Fitness''') allowed users to track their intake of [[calories]], look up nutritional information for hundreds of thousands of different foods, use a built-in [[GPS]] tracker, view step-by-step [[workouts]] and [[exercises]] with images and videos, check [[symptoms]] for various health conditions, and synchronize their health data to third-party devices such as [[activity tracker]]s.<ref name=dredge2>{{cite news|last=Dredge|first=Stuart|title=Microsoft gets active with Bing Health & Fitness Windows Phone app Beta release comes amid wider interest in health and fitness tracking from Google, Apple and other tech giants|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/18/microsoft-bing-health-fitness-windows-phone-app|newspaper=the Guardian|date=February 18, 2014}}</ref><ref name=TheNextWeb>{{cite news|last=Woods|first=Ben|title=Bing Food & Drink, Health & Fitness, Travel apps add sync, drop beta tag on Windows Phone 8|url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2014/02/18/microsofts-bing-food-drink-health-fitness-travel-apps-emerge-beta-status-windows-phone-8/|newspaper=The Next Web|date=February 18, 2014}}</ref><ref name=MobiHealthNews>{{cite news|last=Pai|first=Aditi|title=Microsoft launches Bing health and fitness app|url=http://mobihealthnews.com/23458/microsoft-launches-bing-health-and-fitness-app/|newspaper=Mobi Health News|date=July 3, 2013}}</ref> MSN Health & Fitness formerly connected data with the [[Microsoft HealthVault]], but it started using a [[Microsoft account]] with MSN's own [[cloud computing|cloud service]] to synchronize data when it was rebranded from Bing to MSN.<ref name=WinSupersite>{{cite news|last=Thurrot|first=Paul|title=New MSN Goes Live on Windows, Windows Phone and Web|url=http://winsupersite.com/cloud/new-msn-goes-live-windows-windows-phone-and-web|date=September 30, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316055624/http://winsupersite.com/cloud/new-msn-goes-live-windows-windows-phone-and-web|archive-date=March 16, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=MicrosoftsOwnBlogsAh>{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Brian|title=A first look at the new MSN|url=http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/09/07/first-look-new-msn/|newspaper=The Official Microsoft Blog|date=September 7, 2014}}</ref> The app is not related in any way to Microsoft's [[Xbox Fitness]] or Microsoft Health (the companion app for the [[Microsoft Band]]), despite being similar in function.<ref name=MicrosoftWindowsSuperSiteXboxFitnessRelationship>{{cite news|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|title=A Quick Guide to Microsoft's Health Offerings, Separate for good reasons.|url=http://winsupersite.com/microsoft-health/quick-guide-microsofts-health-offerings|newspaper=SuperSite for Windows|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113834/http://winsupersite.com/microsoft-health/quick-guide-microsofts-health-offerings|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Sports ====
'''MSN Sports''' (originally named '''Bing Sports''') displayed various [[sports]] scores and standings from hundreds of leagues around the world, as well as aggregated sports-related articles and news headlines.<ref name=WinBeta>{{cite news|last=none|first=Ron|title=Bing News, Finance, Sports, and Weather apps released for Windows Phone 8|url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/bing-news-finance-sports-and-weather-apps-released-windows-phone-8|newspaper=WinBeta|date=August 7, 2013}}</ref><ref name=PhoneDogForexampleitreleasedseveralGarageappsforAndroidincludingavoice>{{cite news|last=Wagner|first=Alex|title=Microsoft has been bolstering its multi-platform mobile efforts in a big way lately.|url=http://www.phonedog.com/2014/12/11/microsoft-launches-msn-suite-apps-android-ios-and-amazon-appstore|newspaper=Phone Dog|date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=iClarified>{{cite news|last=Doe|first=John|title=Microsoft Launches Suite of MSN Apps on iOS, Android and Amazon Devices|url=http://www.iclarified.com/45941/microsoft-launches-suite-of-msn-apps-on-ios-android-and-amazon-devices|newspaper=iClarified|date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=CCorner>{{cite news|last=Gupta|first=Guarav|title=Bing Sports App in Windows 8|url=http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/99bb20/bing-sports-app-in-windows8-release-preview/|newspaper=C Corner|date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> Sports also allowed the user to view slideshows and photo galleries, look up information about individual players and [[fantasy sport|fantasy leagues]], and set and track their favorite teams by selecting various topics from the hamburger menu.<ref name=WindowsSuperWebSite3>{{cite news|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|title=Windows Phone 8 App Picks: Bing Finance, News, Sports and Weather, The best Windows 8/RT mobile apps arrive on Windows Phone 8|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-phone/windows-phone-8-app-picks-bing-finance-news-sports-and-weather|newspaper=Windows Supersite|date=August 10, 2013|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331005623/http://winsupersite.com/windows-phone/windows-phone-8-app-picks-bing-finance-news-sports-and-weather|archive-date=March 31, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=BingBlogs>{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Brian|title=Bing Announces News, Sports and Travel apps for the Windows 8 Release Preview|url=http://blogs.bing.com/search/2012/05/31/bing-announces-news-sports-and-travel-apps-for-the-windows-8-release-preview/|newspaper=[[Bing (search engine)|Bing Blogs]]|date=May 31, 2012}}</ref> It also powered various predictive features within Microsoft's [[Microsoft Cortana|Cortana]] [[Virtual assistant (artificial intelligence)|virtual assistant]].<ref name=NDTVGadgetsappnews>{{cite news|last=Saxena|first=Anupam|title=Microsoft launches Bing News, Bing Finance, Bing Weather and Bing Sports apps for Windows Phone 8|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/microsoft-launches-bing-news-bing-finance-bing-weather-and-bing-sports-apps-for-windows-phone-8-403135|newspaper=NDTV Gadgets|date=August 8, 2013}}</ref>

It was discontinued on July 20, 2021, in favor of the web portal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-discontinue-windows-msn-sports-app |title=Microsoft to discontinue the Windows 10 MSN Sports app on July 20 |website=OnMSFT.com |publisher=OnMSFT.com LLC |date=July 2, 2021}}</ref>

==== Travel ====
'''MSN Travel''' (originally named '''Bing Travel''') was a [[Travel website|travel search engine]] that allows users to book [[hotels]] and [[Air travel|flights]], aggregates travel-related headlines, and offers detailed information about thousands of travel destinations.<ref name=Neowin2>{{cite news|last=Weir|first=Andy|title=Microsoft launches Bing Travel Beta app for Windows Phone|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-launches-bing-travel-beta-app-for-windows-phone|newspaper=Neowin|date=January 27, 2014}}</ref> Data in the app is powered by various travel websites, including [[Expedia]], formerly owned by Microsoft.<ref name=guim4>{{cite news|last=Guim|first=Mark|title=Travel the world with Windows Phone 8 on Bing Travel Beta|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/bing-travel-beta-windows-phone|newspaper=Windows Phone Central|date=January 26, 2014}}</ref> Other features include finding information on local [[restaurants]], viewing pictures (including [[panoramas]]) and historical data about destinations, and reading reviews by previous travelers.<ref name=ChashCorner>{{cite news|last=Gupta|first=Guarav|title=Bing Travel App in Windows 8|url=http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/99bb20/bing-travel-app-in-windows-8-release-preview/|newspaper=C#Corner|date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> If the user is signed in, [[Microsoft Cortana|Cortana]] can track flights and get hotel information through the app.<ref name=TrustedReviews>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Chris|title=Microsoft gives Cortana a boost through new Bing features.|url=http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/microsoft-gives-cortana-a-boost-through-new-bing-features|newspaper=Trusted Reviews|date=October 17, 2014}}</ref> MSN Travel was the only app in the suite that was exclusive to Windows. The app was discontinued in September 2015 but can still be accessed via the web.<ref name=Inferse>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Julia|title=Microsoft's MSN apps no longer exclusive to Windows; available for iOS and Android|url=http://www.inferse.com/21067/microsoft-msn-apps-windows-ios-android/|newspaper=Inferse|date=December 14, 2014}}</ref>

Previously, Microsoft had acquired ''Farecast'' in 2008, a website in the [[computer reservations system]] industry that offered predictions regarding the best time to purchase airline tickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/18/microsoft_buys_farecast/|title=Microsoft buys travel search site|publisher=The Register |date=April 18, 2008}}</ref> Farecast was founded in 2003 and collected over 175 billion airfare observations by 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.farecast.com/about/press/releases/2007-03-13.do|title=Farecast.com Launches Airfare Deals Based On Science, Not Marketing|publisher=Farecast.com|date=March 13, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317040057/http://www.farecast.com/about/press/releases/2007-03-13.do|archive-date=March 17, 2007}}</ref> Farecast's team of [[data miner]]s used these airfare observations to build algorithms to predict future airfare price movements.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/business/personaltech/articles/2006/06/04/while_other_sites_list_airfares_newcomer_forecasts_where_theyre_headed/
|title=While other sites list airfares, newcomer forecasts where they're headed|publisher=boston.com|date=June 4, 2006 | first1=Bruce | last1=Mohl}}</ref> Microsoft integrated it as part of its Live Search group of tools in May 2008 as ''Live Search Farecast''; Microsoft rebranded it as ''Bing Travel'' on June 3, 2009, as part of its efforts to create a new search identity.<ref name=Search-Engine-Watch-Live-Search-Farecast-Rebrand>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Nathania|title=Bing's Best Features are the Ones You Didn't Know Existed on Live Search.|url=http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2052285/bings-best-features-ones-you-didnt-know-existed-live-search|newspaper=Search Engine Watch|date=June 1, 2009|access-date=September 26, 2017|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718083955/https://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2052285/bings-best-features-ones-you-didnt-know-existed-live-search|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, there were allegations that Bing Travel had copied its layouts from [[Kayak.com]]; Microsoft denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/06/kayak-bing/|title=Kayak to Bing: Stop Copying Us! – Update|publisher=[[wired.com]]|date=June 24, 2009}}</ref> By January 2013, Bing Travel results were powered by Kayak.com. As of January 2014, the fare prediction feature had been removed. As of May 2015, Microsoft rebranded the service to ''MSN Travel''.<ref>{{cite news | last=O'Neill | first=Sean | title=Microsoft all but closes Bing Travel, expands MSN Travel. | url=https://www.phocuswire.com/Microsoft-all-but-closes-Bing-Travel-expands-MSN-Travel | work=Phocuswire | date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, MSN Travel flight search pages changed from being powered by Kayak.com to its competitor [[Skyscanner]].

=== Older mobile apps ===
Microsoft first offered content from its MSN web portal on [[mobile devices]] in the early 2000s, through a service called ''Pocket MSN'' (in line with its [[Pocket PC]] products of the era) and later renamed ''MSN Mobile''. The original MSN Mobile software was preloaded on many [[cell phones]] and [[Personal digital assistant|PDAs]], and usually provided access to legacy MSN services like blogs ([[MSN Spaces]]), email ([[Hotmail]]), instant messaging ([[MSN Messenger]]), and web search (now called [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]]). Some [[wireless carrier]]s charged a premium to access it.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} As many former MSN properties were spun off to [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]], [[Windows Live]], and other successors in the late 2000s, the [[Microsoft Mobile Services]] division took over the development of mobile apps related to those services.

In the meantime, Microsoft's MSN apps took on a more content-related focus, as did the web portal itself. Previous versions of MSN apps that were bundled with [[Windows Mobile]] and early versions of [[Windows Phone]],<ref name=Softpedia>{{cite news|last=Arghire|first=Ionut|title=Windows Phone 7 Confirmed with Messenger and MSN Apps|url=http://archive.news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Phone-7-Confirmed-with-Messenger-and-MSN-Apps-158812.shtml|newspaper=[[Softpedia]]|date=September 30, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326045039/http://archive.news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Phone-7-Confirmed-with-Messenger-and-MSN-Apps-158812.shtml|archive-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> as well as MSN apps for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]] devices in the early 2010s, were primarily repositories for news articles found on MSN.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowsphone.com/en-GB/apps/250af76d-2444-e011-854c-00237de2db9e|title=MSN for Windows Phone|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=March 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/msn-for-ipad/id497011996?mt=8|title=MSN for iPad|publisher=[[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=March 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=msn.android&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsIm1zbi5hbmRyb2lkIl0.|title=MSN for Android|access-date=March 11, 2012}}</ref> Other earlier MSN mobile apps included versions of MSN Weather and MSN Money for [[Windows Mobile 6.5]],<ref name=iStartedSomething1>{{cite news|last=Zheng|first=Long|title=Widgets: Windows Mobile 6.5 joins the "web applications" bandwagon|url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090310/widgets-windows-mobile-65-joins-the-web-applications-bandwagon/|newspaper=iStartedSomething|date=March 10, 2009}}</ref><ref name=PocketsNow1>{{cite news|last=Webster|first=Daniel|title=Marketplace Pick: MSN Weather Widget|url=http://pocketnow.com/software-1/marketplace-pick-msn-weather-widget|newspaper=PocketNow|date=February 12, 2010|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051527/http://pocketnow.com/software-1/marketplace-pick-msn-weather-widget|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=WMPowerUser2>{{cite news|last=Surur|first=Suril|title=Windows Mobile 6.5 gets Widget Engine|url=http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-mobile-65-gets-widget-engine/|newspaper=Windows Mobile PowerUser|date=October 28, 2010}}</ref> MSN Money Stocks, and a [[men's magazine]] called 'MSN OnIt' for [[Windows Phone 7]].<ref name=247PressRelease>{{cite news|last=Ritchie|first=Jennifer|title=Cypress Creates New MSN Money Stocks Application for Microsoft Windows Phone 7|url=http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/cypress-creates-new-msn-money-stocks-application-for-microsoft-windows-phone-7-180270.php|newspaper=24–7 Press Release|date=November 10, 2010}}</ref><ref name=WMPowerUser3>{{cite news|last=Surur|first=Suril|title=MSN Onit for (US) men only (video)|url=http://wmpoweruser.com/msn-onit-for-us-men-only-video/|newspaper=Windows Mobile PowerUser|date=April 11, 2011}}</ref>

== International ==
Microsoft's world headquarters is in the United States, so the main MSN website is based there. However, MSN has offered various international versions of its portal since its inception in 1995 for dozens of countries around the world.<ref name="msnworldwide" /> A list of international MSN affiliates is available at MSN Worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/msn-worldwide|title=MSN Worldwide|website=MSN}}</ref>

Following the redesign and relaunch of the MSN web portal in 2014, most international MSN websites share the same layout as the U.S. version and are largely indistinguishable from it, aside from their content. There were two exceptions: [[ninemsn]], a longtime partnership between Microsoft and the [[Nine Network]] in Australia that launched in 1997 (Microsoft sold its stake in the venture in 2013 and ended its co-branding with Nine in 2016);<ref name="MumbrellaRebrand">{{cite web |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/nine-rebrand-digital-news-assets-ninemsn-banner-366340 |title=Ninemsn brand set to disappear as Nine renames site |last=Hayes |first=Alex |date=May 11, 2016 |publisher=Mumbrella |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> and [[MSN China]], an entirely customized version of MSN for China (Microsoft discontinued the portal in 2016, replacing it with a page that links to a number of other Chinese websites).<ref name=MSN-China-shut-down>{{cite news|last=Yan|first=Sophia|title=Microsoft is giving up on its Chinese web portal.|url=http://m.wisn.com/money/microsoft-is-giving-up-on-its-chinese-web-portal/39464720|newspaper=WISN 12|date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[MSN Dial-up]]
* [[List of services by MSN]]
* [[Microsoft]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
<!-- Please do not add any unofficial sites here, whether it deals with, or hosted by, MSN or not. Persistent violators will be reported.-->
<!-- Please do not add any unofficial sites here, whether it deals with, or hosted by, MSN or not. Persistent violators will be reported.-->
*[http://www.msn.com/ MSN.com]
* {{official website|http://www.msn.com}}
*[http://home.live.com/ Windows Live]
* [https://www.msn.com/en-us/msn-worldwide MSN Worldwide]
*[http://www.msn.com/Worldwide.aspx MSN Worldwide]


{{MSN services}}
{{MSN services}}
{{Windows Components}}

{{Microsoft}}
{{Microsoft}}


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Latest revision as of 02:42, 7 December 2024

This article is about the website and apps. For the Internet service provider, see MSN Dial-up. For other uses, see MSN (disambiguation).

MSN
Current home page in November 2024
Type of site
Web portal
Area servedWorldwide
OwnerMicrosoft
URLwww.msn.com
CommercialMixed
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedAugust 24, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-08-24)
Current statusActive
Written inASP.NET[1]

MSN (meaning Microsoft Network) is a web portal and related collection of Internet services and apps for Windows and mobile devices, provided by Microsoft and launched on August 24, 1995, alongside the release of Windows 95.[2]

The Microsoft Network was initially a subscription-based dial-up online service that later became an Internet service provider named MSN Dial-up. At the same time, the company launched a new web portal named Microsoft Internet Start and set it as the first default home page of Internet Explorer, its web browser. In 1998, Microsoft renamed and moved this web portal to the domain name www.msn.com, where it has remained.[3]

In addition to its original MSN Dial-up service, Microsoft has used the 'MSN' brand name for a wide variety of products and services over the years, notably Hotmail (later Outlook.com), Messenger (which was once synonymous with 'MSN' in Internet slang and has now been replaced by Skype), and its web search engine, which is now Bing, and several other rebranded and discontinued services.

The recent website and suite of apps offered by MSN was first introduced by Microsoft in 2014 as part of a complete redesign and relaunch.[4] MSN is based in the United States and offers international versions of its portal for dozens of countries around the world.[5]

History

[edit]

Microsoft Internet Start

[edit]
MSN.com on its initial launch day, August 24, 1995
MSN.com in October 1996, with the logo used from 1995 to 1998

From 1995 to 1998, the MSN.com domain was used by Microsoft primarily to promote MSN as an online service and Internet service provider. At the time, MSN.com also offered a custom start page and an Internet tutorial, but Microsoft's major web portal was known as "Microsoft Internet Start", and was located at home.microsoft.com.

Internet Start served as the default home page for Internet Explorer and offered basic information such as news, weather, sports, stocks, entertainment reports, links to other websites on the Internet, articles by Microsoft staff members, and software updates for Windows. Microsoft's original news website (now NBCNews.com) which launched in 1996, was also tied closely to the Internet Start portal.

MSN.com

[edit]

In 1998, the largely underutilized 'MSN.com' domain name was combined with Microsoft Internet Start and reinvented as both a web portal and as the brand for a family of sites produced inside Microsoft's Interactive Media Group. The new website put MSN in direct competition with sites such as Yahoo!, Excite, and Go Network. Because the new format opened up MSN's content to the world for free, the Internet service provider and subscription service were renamed to MSN Internet Access at that time. (That service eventually became known as MSN Dial-up.)[3]

The relaunched MSN.com contained a whole family of sites, including original content, channels that were carried over from 'web shows' that were part of Microsoft's MSN 2.0 experiment with its Internet service provider in 1996–97, and new features that were rapidly added. MSN.com became the successor to the default Internet Explorer start page, as all of the previous 'Microsoft Internet Start' website was merged with MSN.com.[3]

Some of the original websites that Microsoft launched during that era remain active in some form today. Microsoft Investor, a business news and investments service that was once produced in conjunction with CNBC, is now MSN Money;[6][7][8] CarPoint, an automobile comparison and shopping service, is now MSN Autos; and the Internet Gaming Zone, a website offering online casual games, is now MSN Games. Other websites since divested by Microsoft include the travel website Expedia, the online magazine Slate, and the local event and city search website Sidewalk.com.

In the late 1990s, Microsoft collaborated with many other service providers, as well as other Microsoft departments, to expand the range of MSN's services. Some examples include MSN adCenter, MSN Shopping (affiliated with eBay, PriceGrabber and Shopping.com), and the Encarta encyclopedia with various levels of access to information.

Since then, MSN.com has remained a popular destination, launching many new services and content sites. MSN's Hotmail and Messenger services were promoted from the MSN.com portal, which provided a central place for all of MSN's content. MSN Search (now Bing), a dedicated search engine, launched in 1999. The single sign-in service for Microsoft's online services, Microsoft Passport (now Microsoft account), also launched across all MSN services in 1999. The MSN.com portal and related group of services under the 'MSN' umbrella remained largely the same in the early 2000s.

The sports section of the MSN portal was ESPN.com from 2001 to 2004, and FoxSports.com from 2004 to 2014.[9][10] MSN had an exclusive partnership with MSNBC.com for news content from 1996 until 2012, when Microsoft sold its remaining stake in msnbc.com to NBCUniversal and the website was renamed NBCNews.com. Since then, MSN has launched 'MSN News', an in-house news operation.[11]

As of May 2005, MSN.com was the second most visited portal website in the United States with a share of 23.2 percent, behind Yahoo! which held a majority.[12]

MSN released a preview of an updated home page and logo on November 3, 2009.[13] It was originally expected to be widely available to over 100 million U.S. customers by early 2010.[14][15] MSN rolled out the newer logo, together with a redesign of the overall website, on December 25, 2009.[16][17]

In 2012, MSN announced on its blog that it would be unveiling a new version of the MSN.com home page on October 26, exclusively for Windows 8, saying that the new version would be "clean, simple, and built for touch".[18] Microsoft said it would be more app-like due to the speed of Internet Explorer 10. More new features included 'Flip Ahead', which allowed users to swipe from one article to the next. MSN for Windows 8 also had new deals with the AP and Reuters.[19]

Rebranding of services

[edit]
Main article: Windows Live

Many of MSN's services were reorganized in 2005 and 2006 under a new brand name that Microsoft championed at the time, Windows Live. This move was part of Microsoft's strategy to improve its online offerings using the Windows brand name. The company also overhauled its online software and services due to increasing competition from rivals such as Yahoo! and Google. The new name was introduced one service at a time. The group of Windows Live services used Web 2.0 technology to offer features and functionality through a web browser that were traditionally only available through dedicated software programs.

Some of the MSN services affected by the rebranding included MSN Hotmail, which became Windows Live Hotmail (now Outlook.com); MSN Messenger, which became Windows Live Messenger (now integrated into Skype); MSN Search, which became Live Search (now known as Bing); MSN Virtual Earth, which became Live Search Maps (now Bing Maps); MSN Spaces, which became Windows Live Spaces; MSN Alerts, which became Windows Live Alerts; and MSN Groups, which became Windows Live Groups. Some other services, such as MSN Direct, remained a part of the MSN family without transitioning to Windows Live.

Following the launch of Windows Live, the MSN brand took on a different focus. MSN became primarily an online content provider of news, entertainment, and common interest topics through its web portal, MSN.com, while Windows Live provided most of Microsoft's online software and services. In 2012, Microsoft began to phase out the Windows Live brand, referring to each service separately by its individual brand name without any 'Windows' prefix or association.[20]

Subsequent redesign

[edit]

Microsoft launched a completely rewritten and redesigned MSN website, making use of the company's modern design language, on September 30, 2014.[4] The new MSN portal features a new version of the logo that follows a style similar to other current Microsoft products. The website no longer offers original content, instead of employing editors to repurpose existing content from partners at popular and trusted organizations. Much of the existing content on MSN was eliminated as the website was simplified into a new home page and categories, some of which have corresponding apps:[21]

  • News: The latest news headlines and articles from a variety of hand-picked sources. Synced with the News app.
  • Weather: Current weather conditions, forecasts, maps, news, and traffic. Synced with the Weather app.
  • Entertainment: TV, movies, music, and celebrity news, as well as theater showtimes, tickets, and TV listings. Based on the former Bing Entertainment service. Also includes the MSN Games website for online casual games.
  • Sports: Up-to-the-minute scores, standings, and headlines from leagues worldwide. Synced with the Sports app.
  • Money: Stock market tickers and watchlists, personal finance, real estate, investments, currency converter, and more. Synced with the Money app.
  • Lifestyle: Headlines, features, and other content related to style, home & garden, family, smart living, relationships, and horoscopes.
  • Health & Fitness: Tools and information about weight loss, strength, exercise, nutrition, medicine, and more.
  • Food & Drink: Recipes, cooking tips, news from chefs, cocktails, and shopping lists.
  • Travel: Destinations, trip ideas, hotel search, flight search, flight status, and arrivals and departures. Previously based on Farecast.
  • Autos: Research and buying advice, auto-related news, information for enthusiasts, and coverage of auto shows worldwide.[22]
  • Video: Trending and viral videos, comedy and pop culture, and videos from other MSN categories. Integrates with video search from Bing Videos.

The top of the home page provides access to Microsoft services Bing, Outlook.com, Skype, Office Online, OneNote, OneDrive, Bing Maps, and Groove Music, as well as popular social media services Facebook and Twitter.[4] Signing into MSN with a Microsoft account allows for personalized content to appear and to be synchronized across devices on the website and in the corresponding apps. The redesign of the website led to the closure of MSN's longtime personalized home page service 'My MSN', which was made up of customized RSS feeds, as the new website no longer supports user-specified RSS content. However, it added some customizability, allowing each category on the home page to be reordered or hidden.

With the 2014 relaunch, MSN now supports responsive design and eliminates the need for a separate mobile website. The redesign of MSN proved positive and helped increase traffic with an additional 10 million daily visitors after two months.[23]

In 2022, Microsoft began phasing out MSN for Microsoft Start, with news pages being moved to Start, and ads for the website appearing on the homepage. This was reversed in November 2024, with the Microsoft Start page redirecting back to MSN.[24]

Microsoft brought back the MSN app in November 2024.

Apps

[edit]
Microsoft Start
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseOctober 26, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-10-26)
Operating systemWeb platform, iOS, Android
TypeNews aggregator
Website
MSN Weather
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseOctober 26, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-10-26)
Operating systemWindows, iOS, Android
Website
MSN Sports
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseOctober 26, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-10-26)
Operating systemWindows, iOS, Android
Website
MSN Money
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial release7 February 2012; 12 years ago (2012-02-07)
Stable release
4.53.63386.0 / 6 December 2024; 1 day ago (2024-12-06)[25]
Operating systemWindows, iOS, Android
WebsiteOfficial website

The MSN web-based apps provides users information from sources that publish to MSN.

MSN Esports
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseOctober 22, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-10-22)
Website

Microsoft launched these apps along with the 2014 redesign of the MSN web portal, rebranding many of the Bing apps that originally shipped with Windows and Windows Phone. News, Weather, Sports, Money, and Travel first shipped with Windows 8, while Health & Fitness and Food & Drink first appeared in Windows 8.1.[26][27] In December 2014, the apps became available across all the other major mobile device platforms as well: iOS, Android, and Fire OS.[28][29][30][31][32]

The apps allow users a reasonable amount of freedom to decide which sources provide information. Each app has its own color code that is used on the live tile and internally. Originally, each app brought a unified experience with the MSN website and synchronized preferences across devices.

There are currently four apps in the suite: Start (previously News), Weather, Sports, and Money.[33] In July 2015, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the Food & Drink, Health & Fitness, and Travel apps on all platforms, and that they will not be bundled with Windows 10; those three apps are no longer offered.[34]

After Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's mobile phone division, Microsoft also started bundling MSN services with its Nokia-branded feature phones, though the only supported model was the Nokia 215.[35][36][37] In addition to these apps, Microsoft developed a separate set of mobile apps specifically for MSN China.

Microsoft Start

[edit]
Main article: Microsoft Start

Microsoft Start (previously named Microsoft News) was a news aggregator and service that featured news headlines and articles chosen by editors. The app includes sections for top stories, U.S., world, money, technology, entertainment, opinion, sports, and crime, along with other miscellaneous stories. It allows users to set their own personalized favorite topics and sources, receive notifications of breaking news through alerts, filter preferred news sources, and alter font sizes to make articles easier to read.[38]

Originally, Start included an RSS feed, but that capability was removed; Microsoft currently only allows users to subscribe to specified news sources, thereby curating news.[39] Start uses the chaseable live tile feature introduced in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. If a user clicks on the Microsoft News Start menu tile when a particular story is shown, the user will see a link to that story at the top of the app when it launches.[40]

Weather

[edit]

MSN Weather (originally named Bing Weather) shows weather from a user's current location or any other location worldwide, and it allows users to define their favorite places, which will synchronize back to the Microsoft Start and across devices. Users can pin Weather tiles to the Start menu to see local weather conditions from multiple locations at a glance. It also offers satellite maps and has information regarding ski resorts.[41] The app receives its weather conditions and forecasts from a variety of sources internationally.[42] Weather uses weather conditions as the background, making it the only app that does not have a light/dark switch in Windows 10. Weather is not available for iOS; however, it comes preinstalled on the Nokia 215 phone from Microsoft Mobile that runs Series 30+; it is currently the only feature phone to have the app built-in.[37]

Money

[edit]

MSN Money (originally MoneyCentral, then MSN Moneycentral, before being rebranded as MSN Money in the mid-2000s - prior to being relaunched as a spin-off of Bing Finance) allows users to set up lists of publicly listed companies to watch, follow certain corporations and receive stock updates, get the latest headlines regarding international markets, view real-time trading figures with a 30-minute delay, track their own personal finances, calculate mortgages, get information on bonds and other financial assets, and convert currency.[43][44][45]

Esports Hub

[edit]

MSN Esports (often referred to as MSN Esports Hub[46]) is a Bing intelligence AI curated webpage for the growing esports industry. Users can watch integrated streams from YouTube or Twitch. Microsoft's advanced AI called "Watch For", the algorithm originally made for Microsoft's Mixer is an artificial intelligence that uses computer vision algorithms on livestreams so that it can alert the viewer of significant moments. This algorithm is implemented in the MSN Esports Hub.[47][46] Users can also check the calendar for dates of upcoming e-sport events and tournaments or the news for updates on games and their tournament. After the creation of the MSN Esports Hub, Microsoft acquired Smash.gg; an e-sport tournament platform.[48]

Games supported on the MSN Esports Hub[46]
Supported games
League of Legends
Valorant
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Dota 2
Overwatch
Fortnite Battle Royale
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Rocket League
FIFA
Gears of War
Super Smash Bros.

Discontinued apps

[edit]

Food & Drink

[edit]

MSN Food & Drink (originally named Bing Food & Drink) is a discontinued recipe app that offers news related to foods and drinks, a personal shopping list that synchronizes across devices and the web, and a wine encyclopedia that contains information on over 1.5 million bottles of wine, over 3.3 million tasting notes, and hundreds of cocktail recipes.[49] Users can control the app hands-free, add their own recipes from physical cookbooks or personal recipes by snapping a photo, add notes to recipes, and sort the recipes into collections.[50] The app also collects information from famous chefs and lists them according to their style of cuisine.[51]

Health & Fitness

[edit]

MSN Health & Fitness (originally named Bing Health & Fitness) allowed users to track their intake of calories, look up nutritional information for hundreds of thousands of different foods, use a built-in GPS tracker, view step-by-step workouts and exercises with images and videos, check symptoms for various health conditions, and synchronize their health data to third-party devices such as activity trackers.[52][53][54] MSN Health & Fitness formerly connected data with the Microsoft HealthVault, but it started using a Microsoft account with MSN's own cloud service to synchronize data when it was rebranded from Bing to MSN.[55][56] The app is not related in any way to Microsoft's Xbox Fitness or Microsoft Health (the companion app for the Microsoft Band), despite being similar in function.[57]

Sports

[edit]

MSN Sports (originally named Bing Sports) displayed various sports scores and standings from hundreds of leagues around the world, as well as aggregated sports-related articles and news headlines.[58][59][60][61] Sports also allowed the user to view slideshows and photo galleries, look up information about individual players and fantasy leagues, and set and track their favorite teams by selecting various topics from the hamburger menu.[62][63] It also powered various predictive features within Microsoft's Cortana virtual assistant.[64]

It was discontinued on July 20, 2021, in favor of the web portal.[65]

Travel

[edit]

MSN Travel (originally named Bing Travel) was a travel search engine that allows users to book hotels and flights, aggregates travel-related headlines, and offers detailed information about thousands of travel destinations.[66] Data in the app is powered by various travel websites, including Expedia, formerly owned by Microsoft.[67] Other features include finding information on local restaurants, viewing pictures (including panoramas) and historical data about destinations, and reading reviews by previous travelers.[68] If the user is signed in, Cortana can track flights and get hotel information through the app.[69] MSN Travel was the only app in the suite that was exclusive to Windows. The app was discontinued in September 2015 but can still be accessed via the web.[70]

Previously, Microsoft had acquired Farecast in 2008, a website in the computer reservations system industry that offered predictions regarding the best time to purchase airline tickets.[71] Farecast was founded in 2003 and collected over 175 billion airfare observations by 2007.[72] Farecast's team of data miners used these airfare observations to build algorithms to predict future airfare price movements.[73] Microsoft integrated it as part of its Live Search group of tools in May 2008 as Live Search Farecast; Microsoft rebranded it as Bing Travel on June 3, 2009, as part of its efforts to create a new search identity.[74] In 2009, there were allegations that Bing Travel had copied its layouts from Kayak.com; Microsoft denied the allegations.[75] By January 2013, Bing Travel results were powered by Kayak.com. As of January 2014, the fare prediction feature had been removed. As of May 2015, Microsoft rebranded the service to MSN Travel.[76] In August 2015, MSN Travel flight search pages changed from being powered by Kayak.com to its competitor Skyscanner.

Older mobile apps

[edit]

Microsoft first offered content from its MSN web portal on mobile devices in the early 2000s, through a service called Pocket MSN (in line with its Pocket PC products of the era) and later renamed MSN Mobile. The original MSN Mobile software was preloaded on many cell phones and PDAs, and usually provided access to legacy MSN services like blogs (MSN Spaces), email (Hotmail), instant messaging (MSN Messenger), and web search (now called Bing). Some wireless carriers charged a premium to access it.[citation needed] As many former MSN properties were spun off to Bing, Windows Live, and other successors in the late 2000s, the Microsoft Mobile Services division took over the development of mobile apps related to those services.

In the meantime, Microsoft's MSN apps took on a more content-related focus, as did the web portal itself. Previous versions of MSN apps that were bundled with Windows Mobile and early versions of Windows Phone,[77] as well as MSN apps for Android and iOS devices in the early 2010s, were primarily repositories for news articles found on MSN.com.[78][79][80] Other earlier MSN mobile apps included versions of MSN Weather and MSN Money for Windows Mobile 6.5,[81][82][83] MSN Money Stocks, and a men's magazine called 'MSN OnIt' for Windows Phone 7.[84][85]

International

[edit]

Microsoft's world headquarters is in the United States, so the main MSN website is based there. However, MSN has offered various international versions of its portal since its inception in 1995 for dozens of countries around the world.[5] A list of international MSN affiliates is available at MSN Worldwide.[86]

Following the redesign and relaunch of the MSN web portal in 2014, most international MSN websites share the same layout as the U.S. version and are largely indistinguishable from it, aside from their content. There were two exceptions: ninemsn, a longtime partnership between Microsoft and the Nine Network in Australia that launched in 1997 (Microsoft sold its stake in the venture in 2013 and ended its co-branding with Nine in 2016);[87] and MSN China, an entirely customized version of MSN for China (Microsoft discontinued the portal in 2016, replacing it with a page that links to a number of other Chinese websites).[88]

See also

[edit]

References

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