Microsoft Acquires MessageCast, Supports Podcast Alerts

This acquisition extends MSN Alerts to new content channels, helping to expand the ability of MSN to connect consumers to the information and people they care about most.

"Microsoft and MessageCast have created a significant information channel for consumers," said Royal P. Farros, the co-founder and chief executive officer of MessageCast. "It's incredibly innovative and effective, leverages RSS, and the best part is the customer is totally in control. This is obviously a significant milestone, and we're very pleased to join the MSN team."

MSN Alerts lets consumers receive time-sensitive information from sources via any combination of MSN Messenger, Microsoft Windows Messenger, e-mail and text messaging on mobile or handheld devices that are compatible with MSN Mobile. The service is currently offered in Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish, and is available throughout the U.S. as well as select markets in Europe and Asia.