Microsoft purchases video search engine firm, VideoSurf

Microsoft has announced the purchase of California based start-up VideoSurf, a company specializing in video search software, in a move that will eventually see the technology make its way to Xbox Live. "VideoSurf's content analytics technology will enhance the search and discovery of entertainment content across our platform," said Alex Garden, director of Xbox Live for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, as he explained that gamers would benefit from VideoSurf making it easier to find games and game content. VideoSurf's search engine is capable of searching 50 million video properties on the internet, and even offers the option to narrow a search to clips, music videos and TV shows. It achieves this by using patented technology to capture content within the video, rather than just relying on the text accompanying it as a guide to the content inside. "This holiday we will launch voice search across our entertainment partners on Xbox LIVE. Over time, as we integrate VideoSurf's technology into our system, we are excited about the potential to have content tagged in real time to increase the speed and relevance of the search results," Garden commented. The new addition to Microsoft's product portfolio should complement their Xbox Live platform perfectly. Yesterday, the software giant announced that is plans to revamp its Xbox 360 dashboard in December, which among other new features will include content such as apps for TV, movies, internet videos, sports and music. "Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Division is at the leading edge of connected entertainment," said Lior Delgo, CEO and co-founder of Videosurf. "We are incredibly excited to be working together on our mutual passion for creating amazing consumer experiences and reinventing how consumers search, discover and enjoy content on their televisions." Microsoft reportedly paid upwards of $70 million for the startup. Besides the Xbox Live tie-up, VideoSurf's technology will no doubt prove useful for Microsoft's Bing search engine on PCs, smartphones and tablets.

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