Microsoft launches msnNOW service – Get updates on breaking news, trends, & social conversations in real-time

Microsoft has unveiled msnNOW, a new service from MSN. The service surfaces the latest buzz from Facebook, Twitter, Bing and BreakingNews.com.

msnNOW is designed to “cut through the clutter” on the Web to provide a real-time view of breaking trends and the hottest social conversations, what people are saying about them, and why they matter.

The new service uses algorithms created by Microsoft to scour Facebook, Twitter, Bing, andBreakingNews.com to cull the most-shared articles among users in real time. About 20 editors will monitor the data, typing up blurbs, in 100 words or less, describing the stories and posting the links.

Acccording to Bob Visse, general manager for MSN in a presspass;

What we’re really looking for is the velocity of trending topics – what’s boiling to the surface. The goal is to catch trends as they are accelerating and capture them before they hit the mainstream, in a way that is captivating.

This service is available and can be accessed at now.msn.com.