The IT world is abuzz with the news that Microsoft Inc will relaunch its Windows Live Search under the new brand name, Kumo. The term Kumo is a Japanese word that stands for cloud or spider. According to reports, Microsoft has taken control of the domain name Kumo.com from its registrar and directing internal traffic to it as a test site. Microsoft is expected to launch the rebranded site by early next year. There is a possibility that the proposed brand name for Live Search may change as many people of the company are not satisfied with it.

 

The decision to come up with rebranded site is seen as one the strategies of Microsoft to revitalizing its own search effort. Microsoft has recently transformed its Windows Live site into a social networking by offering several online services. Microsoft Windows Live site have integrated activities from some 50 companies, including Flickr, LinkedIn, Photobucket, Twitter and WordPress. The recent strategies of Microsoft are aimed at its rival Google which is enjoying favorable growth rate in the market.

 

In another announcement, Microsoft claims to have hired Yahoo search executive Sean Suchter to be general manager of Microsoft's Silicon Valley Search Technology Center working on Live Search. Altogether, it can be said that Microsoft is seriously beefing up its own search muscle which might put its rivals to plan out counter-strategies.