Microsoft Lost its Way in Search; It Was Enamoured by "Wizardry" Like Maps

location based services

Steve Berkowitz used to run Ask Jeeves' search engine. Now he heads up Microsoft's online efforts and he's trying to navigate a new course after the company lost its way.

Microsoft lost its way, Berkowitz said, because it became too enamored with software wizardry, like its new 3D map service, and failed to make a search engine people liked to use.

Another good quote from Berkowitz:

A lot of decisions were driven by technology — they were not driven by the consumer It isn't always the best technology that wins. It is the best experience.

And, finally:

I don't know if Live is the right name.