Microsoft to Foster Search Competition With Vista

Microsoft, the world’s leading producer of software, said on Wednesday that it is working to build functionality into its upcoming Windows Vista operating system that will enable computer producers to build settings into their machines that allow Google, Yahoo or other search sites to be default pages, The New York Times reports.

Bradford L. Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel, told the Times that the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant is dedicated to opening up Vista to rival software developers and computer makers to boost competition and openness in the PC space, as well as open doors for customers to choose a wider array of machines and configurations.

Microsoft’s plan to include Windows Live Search within Vista, which is due for release to enterprises in November and to consumers in early 2007, generated speculation on the part of the media and other Web firms that Microsoft and Google may be about to meet in a clash of the titans for ownership of the search space.

Related Links:

• Microsoft Commits to New Competition Principles

• Microsoft: E.U. Fine Won’t Delay Vista Launch

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