LOOKOUT GOOGLE, HERE COMES MSN!

As promised, MSN will enter the search engine arena and add an explosive to the already burning search engine inferno.

Earlier today, Microsoft (Research) chief executive Steve Ballmer told shareholders at the company's annual meeting that Microsoft would beat Google's technology and double its advertising revenue in the next five years. Now is that a call to war or what?!

"We will catch up, we will surpass," Ballmer said.

Up to now, Microsoft has been relying on Yahoo's index to power its search service, particularly Yahoo's Inktomi unit, but decided to enter the search arena with their own technology after Google took the throne as the most popular search engine.

Google shares dropped 2 percent to $165.35 in after-hours trading following release of MSN's news. Yahoo's stock also slipped 35 cents to $36.68 in extended trade.