January 13, 2006

More Info on Microsoft “Expo” Beta

Michael Arrington

29 comments »

Microsoft has renamed its Fremont project to “Expo” and have put up a landing page, complete with a request for email once it launches. They have also included a screenshot:

The Expo team, led by Garry Wiseman, has also posted information about the service, which will be tightly integrated with MSN Messenger and MSN Spaces. Listings will be free:

What it is
An online marketplace and social networking site

What it gives you

• Free ads that are easy to post
• Browse through a wide range of categories ranging from merchandise,
events, personals and services
• Keep your dealings within a trusted network like your MSN Messenger Buddies , friends or co-workers; or open them up to anyone
• Find listings just in your area, nationwide or anywhere in between
• Add your listings to your MSN Space with one easy click
• Get detailed maps and directions for things like garage sales, homes for sale or concerts
• Communicate with people via MSN Messenger right from Expo’s site

I have been testing the service, and there are features that are top notch. This is going to be an impressive product.

Thanks Niall for the tip on the landing page going up.

  • Sphere It

Trackbacks/Pings (Trackback URL)

  1. Alexis » Blog Archive » Microsoft Fremont is now “Expo”
  2. The Perceptions and Reverie of a Young Investor and Entrepreneur » Social Networking Classifieds - Microsoft jumps on the bandwagon
  3. MorroBlog » Blog Archive » MS Live Expo: Servicio de Clasificados de Microsoft
  4. De Koopman » Blog Archive » Microsoft
  5. seattleduck » TechCrunch gives Windows Live Expo a positive review
  6. TechCrunch » New Live.com Services Shown at SearchChamps
  7. TechCrunch » MicroSoft Expo Expands Beta
  8. TechCrunch en français » Microsoft test Live.com Expo
  9. Techcrunch » Blog Archive » Microsoft Cries Foul At Stolen Interface
  10. accelzone - techie weblog » Microsoft Cries Foul At Stolen Interface
  11. TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » Microsoft、インタフェース盗作に抗議
  12. Cina does to Microsoft what they did to Apple « Mal Burns Undercurrents
  13. Leveraging Facebook To Compete With eBay Won’t Work
  14. Leveraging Facebook To Compete With eBay Won’t Work | Tekjuice.com
  15. NexGen Technology Blog » Leveraging Facebook To Compete With eBay Won’t Work

Comments

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  1. Chunni Babu

    The google ads are looking horrible! Please try to use something more aesthetic and meaningful if you can. I am sure a lot of people will buy in if you put spots for sale. Heck! they are even ready to buy spots in stupid gimmicks like 1000tags.

  2. Michael Arrington

    Chunni - Thanks. I agree. I’m just messing around and trying new stuff. I don’t think it will last the weekend, to be honest.

  3. Jacob Levy

    Do they have an API?

  4. Brad Twohig

    Social Networking Classifieds is a huge opportunity and a very underdeveloped space. Myspace is getting into the act but I would like to see one of the new players in the space attack this opportunity.

    http://btwohig.wordpress.com/2005/12/14/11/

  5. Brad Twohig

    Hey Michael, are any of the new classifieds pages attempting this?

  6. Rod Edwards

    The social element and “trusted groups” concept is definitely a direction that I wanted to take BlockRocker in - based not on MS Fremont/Expo, but on their much earlier social-networking predeccessor, FreeCycle.

    If you’re familiar with Freecycle, you’ll know that its a fragmented, decentralized, weirdly political means of creating local groups within which free goods are recycled. Its been my intention from the get go to offer group building capability of this type on BR, for both disenfranchised freecyclers, and anyone else that wants to create a group of any kind. Tagging, the “Show Free Only” search option, and the customized RSS feeds are the first components. MS has twigged to the appeal of this model too, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they implement.

  7. Pete Cashmore

    I get the sense that Expo is a rare example of Microsoft doing something innovative and making a success of it. I really, really like it.

  8. Otis

    Re Expo and “free ads” - can anyone explain what this really means for the end user?

  9. Nathan

    I am very intersted in how this will play out when it hits market. The whole Live concept.

    Will it be that big of a hit?

  10. Raymond

    When are you guys going to publish the site for usage?I can’t wait to use it.
    Raymond.

  11. Anders Midtgaard

    This thing looks advanced, especially tying classifieds with messenger. Microsoft building community ala Craigslist a big ironi of tech history.

  12. testosterone

    We’re currently shooting the movie’s prequel to explain why all of the living characters are covered in more blood than the zombies in Second Death.

  13. Tom Jackson

    It must be good. I’ve never heard of it!

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