Microsoft Fremont to challenge Google Base, Craigslist

Microsoft has launched a private beta of an online database service similar to Google Base. The service, codenamed Fremont, will be part of the company's Windows Live service, and will allow users to post classified ads, Craigslist-style, in a wide variety of categories. One reviewer who has seen Fremont commented that the service is "very cool and will definitely shake things up." With Microsoft joining the battle, consumers will have more choices when it comes to posting online classifieds, which could spell trouble for Craigslist, which has so far dominated the market. However, the real loser will likely be the newspaper industry, which has seen its revenue from classified ads fall dramatically as web services continue to take hold.

 

Tags: freeware