Today we are announcing the general availability of msnNOW for Firefox which allows you to see what’s trending across the web on msnNOW in a convenient sidebar view within the Firefox browser*.

If you use Firefox and would like to add msnNOW, simply go to https://now.msn.com/​​now-for-firefox and enable it in your browser.  What’s more, Firefox users who are interested in staying in the know with MSN can also download Firefox with MSN optimized to show you news and entertainment as you start up your browser. 

-  The MSN Team

*  This update is compatible with Firefox v.21 Beta, Firefox v. 21 and Firefox v. 22 Beta. 

Starting today in the US, you will be able to earn Bing Rewards credits by exploring and discovering new ways MSN keeps you in the know.  Bing Rewards members are now able to keep track of their credit balance right from the MSN homepage. From getting things done with the help of Bing’s search results to catching up on the news that matters most to you on MSN, we’re delighted to enhance the benefits and experience of using both Bing and MSN every day.

We launched the Bing Rewards program two and a half years ago with a goal of helping people discover new features, improving the search experience and rewarding people for their loyalty. Since then over 3 million members have joined and the program has grown from a standalone feature within the Bing Bar to a fully integrated aspect of the Bing web experience. Along the way, we’ve added new benefits such as silver and gold status, new rewards including apps and games for Windows Phone 8, Xbox Music Passes and Skype Credit, and the ability to earn extra credits for referring friends.

To get started, simply navigate to MSN.com and look for the Bing Rewards icon and credit counter at the top of the page (currently not available on MSN for Windows 8).  If you’re a Bing Rewards member you’ll see your balance and offers automatically. Not a Bing Rewards member yet? Join here.

All the credits members earn across Bing and MSN can be taken to the Bing Rewards redemption center where they can be redeemed for a selection of rewards including brand name gift cards, opportunities to enter to win exclusive prizes or charitable donations to a variety of causes.

-         - Alex Danskin, Bing Rewards Team

Mozilla, the makers of the Firefox browser, are launching a new way for people to see content from their social networks and several media sites directly in the browser. Today we are announcing the beta availability of msnNOW for Firefox which allows you to see what’s trending across the web on msnNOW in a convenient sidebar view while you browse the web.

msnNOW makes it easy to stay up to date on the things people are talking about, searching for and sharing the most. Our editors scour the most interesting trends from real-time sources like Facebook, Twitter, Bing, and BreakingNews.com, so you'll always know what's happening and get the jump on what everyone is talking about. Now Firefox users can stay up to date on the social conversation and emerging trends via a glance-able sidebar on the right hand side of the screen.  If you see something interesting, simply click on the headline and you be taken to msnNOW where our expert editors provide key insights on why it’s trending, if it's true, what people are saying about it and where to find out more.

If you use Firefox and would like to add msnNOW, simply go to https://now.msn.com/​now-for-firefox and add it to your browser.  What’s more, Firefox users who are interested in staying in the know with MSN can also download Firefox with MSN optimized to show you news and entertainment as you start up your browser. 

-          The MSN Team

Sports fans know that speed matters when a game is on the line. But it’s not the only place people appreciate quickness. MSN for Windows 8 has all the information you need in one place.  Whether you’re researching teams for your bracket or reading up on the latest tournament upset, you’ll not only save time but you’ll be the first to know about the latest scores, player stats, schedules and more. In fact, FOX Sports on MSN for Windows 8 is more than seven times faster on average than the top four major online sports sites.

While college basketball fans come in all shapes and sizes and have can have vastly different loyalties (even in the same household), there’s one thing they all have in common: they will do crazy things to support their team. For example, FOXSports’ Erin Andrews has a very specific superstitious ritual to ensure her favorite team, the Gators, will be victorious. Before every big game she rips off her bedding and throws it into a wad on the floor. Whatever it takes, right?

From bedding superstitions to lucky charms or game day rituals – college basketball fans will take it to the limits for their team. In fact, a recent survey from MSN and Impulse revealed just how much time and energy people are willing to commit to the tournament this year. More than 30 percent of people spend at least three hours of the work day following the tournament, and one in ten have even called in sick for work to stay home and watch. That’s commitment; let’s just hope their bosses don’t take notice.

When it comes to brackets, fans are just as dedicated. 25 percent plan to complete three or more separate brackets and 26 percent visit three or more sites while they are creating their brackets – that’s a lot of research. 

Other survey results show how these loyal and crazy fans will take in the tournament this season:

• 41 percent of people check college basketball stats or scores online while they’re at work.
• One third of people have their laptops by their side as they watch the tournament games at home.
• 31 percent of people surveyed think the college basketball tournament title will go to the Big 10 this year.

There’s already chatter that this tournament could be one of the most surprising and exciting in recent history. We may see games chalk full of upsets, Cinderella stories and maybe even a few buzzer beaters. People report their most memorable buzzer beater of previous tournaments was when Duke beat Kentucky at the buzzer and went on to win the championship in 1992. Maybe there will be a new buzzer beater to go down in history this year? One can hope!

Don’t just follow the basketball fever this year, be a part of it. Visit the Microsoft store nearest to you to give MSN for Windows 8 a try and see for yourself how it loads seven times faster on average than other major online sports sites. You can also check out how Erin Andrews stays in the know during the tournament on MSN.

-  The MSN Team

Need to keep up on the latest breaking news, gossip from Hollywood or see if your stock portfolio is up or down? Today, we’ve brought the best world and national news, stories from entertainment, sports, autos, lifestyle and healthy living, right to your mobile phone. The new MSN was built from the ground up to be fast, fluid and great for touch, whether you’re using an iPhone Android or Windows smartphone.

Just enter “msn.com” in your mobile browser (Phone iOS 5 or higher/Android 2.3 or higher) and get the latest movie showtimes, stock quotes, car buying advice or how to entertain for your next dinner party.

The new MSN on iPhone and Android mobile browse joins our previous Windows Phone 8 release. Now Windows Phone 8, iPhone and Android users in the United States will be able to experience one of the fastest media web sites on the web, anywhere, right on your smartphone. We’ve streamlined the new MSN and optimized it for a true mobile reading and viewing.

Built for Touch

The new MSN was built from the ground up with modern smartphone platforms in mind. This release includes dynamic rendering which allows support of high definition formats and various screen sizes. The MSN design and technology teams rebuilt the entire MSN experience and started with optimizing for touch and building an intuitive user experience.  You’ll notice that each channel on the MSN Mobile homepage has large, swipe-able images, displaying the top stories of the day. 

You can tap on the image to view the article or tap on the channel header to view all the top articles within each channel. Tapping the MSN logo at the top of any page will take you back to the homepage. We’ve organized our channels and articles to make MSN a place where you can be informed, explore and let your curiosity reign.

Staying in the know with MSN just got easier.  Now you can pin or save the new MSN to your Home Screen and when you’re reading an article, you can just swipe right to read the next article in that channel. It’s also easy to share your article on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or send it to a friend via email.

MSN at Home, Office and On the Go

Our goal for the new MSN is to be a fast, clean and organized view into the news and information that is important to you. Whether you’re following your favorite sports team or breaking news, MSN News now brings you viewpoints from multiple angles and awarding winning sources (AP, Reuters and MSN’s own news staff) along with what’s trending on the web via msnNOW.

You get the same great content from trusted sources, no matter what device you’re using. Browse sports scores, get stock quotes or find showtimes with a couple of taps. Enter “msn.com” in your mobile browser or bookmark any of the channels for quick access.  

The new MSN. Know. Now. 

- The MSN Mobile Team

You are invited to join Fox Sports broadcaster Erin Andrews who will be joining us live twitter chat this Friday at 12 p.m. PT.  Erin will be on hand to discuss all things college basketball. To take part in the conversation simply follow @ErinAndrews, @Microsoft and the hashtag #MSNforWin8.

Erin joined Fox Sports in 2012 where she hosts a prime time college football show and contributes to NFL, MLB and other marquee events.

Hope to hear from you on Friday.

- The MSN Team

MSN for Windows 8 is a one-of-a-kind experience you have to try to believe and, in the month of March, it’s easier than ever to do just that at the Microsoft retail store nearest to you. In March, you can stop by your local Microsoft retail store, give MSN on Windows 8 a try and enter for a chance to win a trip to the basketball championships in Atlanta in April. MSN for Windows 8 is a great resource for fans during this exciting tournament season, who want to stay up-to-date with the latest scores and schedules, without clicking through multiple websites.

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the comprehensive content found on MSN covers news, entertainment, money, sports, health, living and more – so you can find news on the topics that interest you most. Best of all, the MSN experience is seamless across any Windows 8 device so you can take the information that interests you with you wherever you go. Visit a Microsoft store and you’ll have a chance to:

• Experience all MSN for Windows 8 has to offer with a Microsoft retail store associate to guide you through the touch features and design elements you’ll love most.
  
• Receive a voucher for $25 off a purchase of $75 or more, just for checking it out! [1]
  
• Between March 1-24, enter for a chance to win a trip to the championship game in Atlanta[2]. If you can’t make it to the store, you can also enter at: www.microsoftstore.c​om/msnfan.
  

You’ll be hooked on the clean, consistent layout, immersive full-screen design and app-like performance, and will quickly notice MSN for Windows 8 is a fast, easy way to stay in the know. For more information on the new experience, visit http://allnew.msn.co​m.

Today, Motley Fool a leading resource for individual investors launched its first daily online show, Investor Beat on MSN Money.

Investor Beat is a fast-paced, forward-looking and occasionally irreverent market commentary from the editors and analysts at The Motley Fool. They will share their expert opinion on the day’s business headlines along with actionable investing advice—delivered in the same patently Foolish way that has made The Motley Fool the go-to resource for individual investors in print and online for nearly two decades.

Investor Beat airs Monday thru Friday at 5 p.m. ET on MSN.com.

-          The MSN Money Team