Live.com “Hot Spots” Are Fun And Useful

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Live.com has launched a new homepage.  The new homepage has wallpapers that have designated hot spots that link to relevant and interesting search results.  For example, if the mouse is rolled over certain areas, the following links appear:

1.) Windows Live Maps of Okavango Delta, Botswana
2.) Information on mosquitos will appear when moving the mouse over the plants
3.) Animals in Botswana

“Extensive user research and exploration of many concepts with our customers pointed us in the direction for this design. We want the page to be a great place to start a search and also to intrigue and inform as well,” stated The Live Search team. “We think hotspots will help users discover parts of Live Search they might not know while not distracting from the core purpose of the page — searching.”

I really like this search engine idea.  It gives search more of a cultural and “human experience.”  When visiting the new Live.com, we are immediately exposed to facts that we did not know before.  If Pulse2.com wasn’t my homepage, I would definetely make my new homepage Live.com.

Related Link:
1. Mashable

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