Microsoft set to roll out new MSN Explorer

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By Matt Berger

(IDG) -- Microsoft Corp. plans to release an upgraded version of its MSN Explorer software in the U.S. this week, an early incarnation of the company's expanding Web initiative that includes a variety of new features and services.

MSN Explorer combines Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser with its e-mail services, instant messaging and Internet shopping network. The software also includes Microsoft's financial services Web site MoneyCentral and audio and video services with Windows Media Player.

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New additions, expected on Wednesday, will include a collapsible tool bar and an automatic spell-check function for Hotmail users. Also, when the new software is used in connection with the company's MSN Internet service, MSN Explorer will allow users to write e-mail when not connected to the Internet and have access to 10MB of storage.

The Web-client software is intended to work closely with Microsoft's Internet service, which the company said in an announcement this week now reaches 5 million users. The MSN Explorer software has been picked up by 6 million users, the company said.

Microsoft is continually beefing up its Web and portal business as a response to growing pressure from rival AOL Time Warner Inc., whose Internet service and portal software is used by more than 28 million people worldwide. Microsoft has made a number of announcements related to its .Net initiative, a Web-based operating system under development, and HailStorm, software under development that will further connect users to its Web services.

The company also recently spun off the MSN Explorer development team into a unit that heads up the Microsoft Windows operating system, according to a report about the reorganization of divisions published Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal.

Microsoft first released MSN Explorer, its first combined portal and browser, in October after a series of beta tests.

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MSN

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