Microsoft - MSN R&D Center In China: Sources

[engine]

Software giant Microsoft Corp. is setting up a research and development center in Shanghai for its online MSN service, its first such center outside the United States, sources familiar with the plan said on Wednesday.

The move came after Microsoft saw setbacks in its online services in China, including the resignation of a top executive responsible for the company's Windows Live unit in China late last year.

"It's a clear signal that Microsoft won't give up its online MSN service in China even though it may have some problems in its local operations," one source, who declined to be identified told Reuters.

Microsoft - MSN R&D Center In China: Sources [today.reuters.co.uk]

[bill]

Some MSN services in China seem to be ubiquitous. Just about everyone seemed to have MSN Messenger and a Hotmail account when I was last there. However, in the portal space they are losing ground. This new research center will have a lot of work to do. The people I spoke with in China just didn't seem to get the MSN Live services. I think that education of the online populace will be a big issue for them.