Microsoft Search has signed a distribution deal with Sun Microsystems Inc. to offer the Microsoft Live Search powered MSN Toolbar to Internet Explorer users when they download the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), effective today for US based users.
- Through this agreement, Internet Explorer users downloading Sun’s JRE will have the option to download the MSN Toolbar and have one-click access to Live Search features, as well as news, entertainment, sports and more from the MSN network and direct access to Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger.
Is it just me, or wasn’t Google a major partner of Sun Microsystems?
“This agreement with Sun Microsystems is another important milestone in our strategy to secure broad-scale distribution for our search offering, enabling millions more people to experience the benefits of Live Search,” said Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice president of the Online Audience Business at Microsoft. “With the vast array of Java software-based Web applications that are downloaded every month, this deal will expose Live Search to millions more Internet users and drive increased volume for our search advertisers.”
