As we’ve noted before, anything Google can do, Microsoft can do to a slightly lesser standard a few years later.

Not content with accusations that Bing is stealing from the Google algorithm, Microsoft have decided to unveil a brand new, never-before-seen addition to their maps functionality.

Only joking – they’re launching their own version of not-controversial-in-the-slightest service Google Streetview in Europe.In addition to the 56 US cities they’ve already mapped, Microsoft Streetside will start filming major cities around Europe next month – with mapping already underway in London.

According to Microsoft’s director of search Dave Coplin, they’re planning to combine Streetside with location-based services in a manner that in no way resembles Google Maps, Google Places or Google Hotpot.

The FirstFound Blog can’t help but wonder if innovation would serve Microsoft better than replication.

Another Day, Another Security Flaw...

In an announcement that won’t actually surprise many people, Microsoft has announced that there is a potentially serious flaw in Windows which could render Internet Explorer vulnerable to malicious files and viruses.

If it sounds familiar, it’s because Microsoft announced a similar flaw back in December 2010:

For instance, an attacker could construct an HTML link designed to trigger a malicious script and somehow convince the targeted user to click it. When the user clicked that link, the malicious script would run on the user’s computer for the rest of the current Internet Explorer session.  Such a script might collect user information (eg., email), spoof content displayed in the browser, or otherwise interfere with the user’s experience.

Microsoft Announcement

As such, users of Internet Explorer may find themselves at risk to hacking and phishing attacks as unscrupulous people attempt to steal valuable information – so take extra care until this problem is fixed.

If you’re using Internet Explorer, a temporary fix is available here.

Or you could consider using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. Just a thought.

However, it appears that some companies aren’t playing fair. Asa Dotzler, co-founder of FireFox’s marketing portal has levelled criticism against a number of the internet’s big players. And the three main culprits are Google, Apple and Microsoft

Apparently, downloading iTunes, using a Google toolbar or having a copy of Microsoft Office can all result in plugins being secretly installed into FireFox’s browser – a technique that Dotzler compares to a Trojan Horse virus.

As a result, FireFox have publically called out the main culprits, asking them to stop sneaking software onto user’s browsers without consulting them.

Whether these complaints will have any effect remains to be seen.

There is certainly a bit of a dig at Google as they show people suffering from information overload and total chaos with search results. Then it simply claims they can solve this problem.

Ashley Highfield, managing director and vice-president consumer and online Microsoft UK, said: “The ad campaign brings to life the concept of Bing as a decision engine, a tool that both cuts through the information overload and offers a new search experience. We’re confident that this will help grow our user base.”

Last month Microsoft and Yahoo got the all clear from the regulators for a 10 year partnership. The battle for online supremacy with the search engines continues.

Some of Bings other adverts here.