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Microsoft offers 'wallet'
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October 11, 1999: 11:27 a.m. ET
Firm unveils e-purchasing service; strikes search deal with Ask Jeeves
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Microsoft Corp. introduced an online purchasing system Monday for customers who buy products through its Web service.
The service, also known as an "electronic wallet," stores such consumer data as credit-card information and shipping addresses, eliminating the need for a person to enter such information for every purchase over the Internet.
With the system, which Microsoft (MSFT) is making available through its MSN Passport service, online shoppers can use their electronic wallets to buy products from more than 50 participating merchants, including barnesandnoble.com (BNBN) and Dell Computer Corp. (DELL).
Other companies, such as Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) and America Online Inc. (AOL) offer versions of electronic wallets.
Microsoft, Ask Jeeves in pact
Separately, Microsoft agreed to adopt a Web-search service from Ask Jeeves Inc. (ASKJ) to answer customer questions about Microsoft's Windows 98 operating system.
Microsoft will implement Ask Jeeves' corporate question answering service, which supports natural-language queries, on its Personal Online Support site.
The companies didn't disclose terms of the agreement.
Ask Jeeves' corporate customers include Compaq Computer Corp. (CPQ), E*Trade Group (EGRP) and Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM).
Microsoft shares slipped 5/16 to 94-5/8 in morning trade. Ask Jeeves shares jumped 11-7/16 to 61-7/8.
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