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Image via CrunchBase

Facebook released today a new feature (rumored some months ago) which lets users search the web through their Facebook global search box by integrating Microsoft Live Search.

This is a major feature which will leverage Microsoft Live Search engine and bring it to their enormous user base. Moreover, as AllFacebook.com highlights, the implications in terms of revenues for Facebook are going to be very important, becoming the most important bridge between users and Microsoft search engine with the additional ability to show ads which are relevant to the user’s profile.

I guess Facebook is deploying this new feature across its user base slowly, as usual, since on my account I’m still unable to get access to this feature (UPDATE: after some refreshes, I can see it now). In any case, I bet this will become the major news in the following hours.

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A discussion is going on at Mobilize about the opportunity to move applications to browsers.

and most of the audience agree that web is going to be the platform for next generation applications for mobile.

Microsoft’s John O’Rourke states that for some applications, the native approach is still the best and most effective one. I have to agree on this, since mobile browsers, maybe with the exception of iPhone’s Safari, are in my opinion not ready yet to host feature-rich applications as those we are used to on our Mac or PC browser.

The other point is about how difficult is to install an application for a “normal” user. Bundled applications certainly help so that consumers don’t have to struggle finding the right app to perform certain activities. Moreover, it is not easy these days for a developer to market an app, so the “centralized” approach provided by Apple for iPhone/Touch apps could be the right way to go both for users and developers.

My prediction is that thanks to technologies like Flash and the huge innovation coming to mobile browsers from all the players in this market, the web based approach is certainly the way to go, but we are not ready yet and it will take 2-3 years at least. Besides, according to the audience, the consumer market will be the driver for innovation in this field so it’s definitely something everyone must take into account.

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It looks like Microsoft is playing hard to strengthen his position in the search and ecommerce sector.

They just announced they bought Ciao.com for $486 million. Ciao.com is a popular price comparison site and a public company (Greenfield) in Europe where users write reviews of any kind of digital good and where you can find the best deal for your online purchases.

Microsoft is far behind Yahoo and Google in the search market and this move is aimed to try to increase its market share quickly, after the much discussed no-deal with Yahoo.

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Technorati Tags: Ciao.com, deal, Europe, luca filigheddu, microsoft, Price comparison service, yahoo

First of all I have to say that never used Microsoft Live Search before. Today I thought of giving it a try. I immediately wrote http://www.livesearch.com on my browser. Then I remembered that the proper site was www.live.com, but I thought without any doubt that Microsoft had bought that domain as well.

That domain is not owned by Microsoft and it provides a search engine powered by Google Search. Cool!

Technorati Tags: Google, live search, luca filigheddu, microsoft

Today I think that Robert Scoble is right. His thoughtful post on why Microsoft could buy Facebook and suddenly become the #1 internet giant is worth a read. 

I agree with Robert but I have many doubts that Mr Zuckemberg will sell, now.

Technorati Tags: deal, facebook, luca filigheddu, microsoft