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Powerset unveils test version of Google-killer, will target travel vertical

May 14, 2008 | Internet Marketing

Powerset as launched a test version of its search engine that eschews conventional keyword technology and instead is designed to understand the meaning of Web pages.

For now, Powerset’s index is very limited, consisting only of millions of pages from Wikipedia and Metaweb Technologies’ Freebase, a Web-based structured database of information. However, Prevost vows that the index will begin growing within a month after its launch and eventually rival in size those of Google, Yahoo and others. “Our technology fully scales,” he said.

Still, it’s impressive to see Powerset’s search engine in action and the promise it holds. Instead of returning the proverbial 10 blue links for search results, Powerset can do more, such as assembling a collection of facts related to the query, as well as summarize the found information. It can also provide direct answers to factual questions.

The search engine will be limited to Web search at first, although Powerset has contemplated adding specialty engines for things like images and video later, as well as targeting verticals such as health, product reviews and travel, he said.

Get the full story at abcnews

Related Link: Powerset test-version

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