Microsoft has now launched a Beta Test Preview Homepage of what its new Homepage will hopefully look like later on in the year.

The current preview can be seen at:
http://preview.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx

But it’s not currently known how much, if anything at all, of the current look will stay in the Final version of the Hompage when launched. Also it is noted that this preview can only be viewed by those of you using Internet Explorer as other browsers like Firefox and Opera will give you a page error telling you that the site cannot be found, I’m sure over that over time this Preview Site will eventually work with other browsers though.

This New homepage has changed quite extensively from the last as the whole navigation and overall functionality of the site is now a completely different experience, as now when you click on the navigation menu a new div layer window (not a pop-up) appears in front of you and the background text in the windows behind that blurs a little.

I’m not sure if I entirely like it yet as it’s missing some functionality, but when finished I’m sure it will look pretty nice and will certainly tie in with Windows Vista and Windows Live.

One thing that would be nice too see though is a Live Search Box just like the one I have on my blog in which you type and wait for the search to bring up results automatically.

Via: ActiveWin