Pay attention to Microsoft. They have some very talented, well-heeled folks up there who can technologically overwhelm most lesser competitors.

Because of their formal software/developer environment, Microsoft tends to move more deliberately than other companies in the SE business (and they've had their share of nightmares when they don't). But once they bring the force of their combined efforts together and focus it upon a the SE market, they can change things fast.

Google is flying high and producing some very good things at present. But I just get the feeling that they are trying to diversify as much as possible now to brace themselves for the inevitable future challenge from Microsoft over SE turf.

Right now, it seems like MS views Google as a kind of point-man on a SE recon mission. For instance, if Google gets hammered by the government for not disclosing information it wants, MS can hang in the weeds and see how it pans out...And they don't have to go to war with the feds again themselves.

Live.com is a hint. I just have a feeling MS has something very sophisticated waiting in the wings.