KUMO, MICROSOFT NEW SEARCH ENGINE

Microsoft confirmed test of its new search engine, called KUMO. The company said Tuesday via email through its public relations firm that "Microsoft is using Kumo.com URL for internal testing purposes only and given the depth and breadth of our current online service offering, we recognize a need to sharply define and align our online brands."



According to the Application, Microsoft wants to trademark Kumo for a host of software and services beyond a search engine, including advertising and telecommunications services, education, training, entertainment, and the design and development of computer hardware and services.



Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt wished rivals Microsoft and Yahoo in competing on Web search but took aim at the software giant for what he called a "history" of trying to "restrict consumer choice."The CEO of Internet Search King Google told a Morgan Stanley Technology conference in San Francisco that "Microsoft is working very hard to build a competitive search engine." When asked about the prospects of a Yahoo-Microsoft tie-up on search, Schmidt said: "I don't know if that scenario will occur."


He also added that during in a reference to a Google-Yahoo search advertising partnership which was rejected by US Anti-Trust Regulators, "We did our best attempt at a deal with Yahoo and as you know we had to cancel it at the very last minute."

"So, we wish them the best of luck," Schmidt said.