Announced yesterday, Microsoft's MSN and Research divisions are teaming up in a new research and development effort called Microsoft Live Labs.

"REDMOND, Wash. — Jan. 25, 2006 —Microsoft Corp. today announced the formation of Microsoft® Live Labs, a research partnership between MSN® and Microsoft Research. Under the leadership of Dr. Gary William Flake, noted industry technologist and Microsoft technical fellow, Live Labs will consist of a dedicated group of researchers from MSN and Microsoft Research that will work with researchers across Microsoft and the academic research community. Live Labs will provide consistency in vision, leadership and infrastructure as well as a nimble applied research environment that fosters rapid innovations.

“Live Labs is a fantastic alliance between some of the best engineering and scientific talent in the world. It will be the pre-eminent applied research laboratory for Internet technologies,” Flake said. “This is a very exciting opportunity for researchers and technologists to have an immediate impact on the next evolution of Microsoft’s Internet products and services and will help unify our customers’ digital world so they can easily find information, pursue their interests and enrich their lives.”

Smart move. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of the MSR folks and Dr. Flake at previous MSN Search Champs events. These are some passionate, visionary people. Sparks are sure to fly. Check out the Live Labs page for more information.