Microsoft Corp., world’s largest software maker, said it has plans to integrate Really Simple Syndication, or RSS, functionality to its upcoming operating system Windows Longhorn due in late 2006.

RSS is a comparatively new technology that is currently being used by online media publications, weblogs and other content sites to distribute data via a notification alert to RSS subscribers letting them know of the update.

Additionally, users must use specialized software, or websites, to view RSS feeds. Microsoft said it hopes to change that with its Longhorn operating system by implementing it as one of the features in its upcoming OS. The company said Longhorn would use a special database and API to make RSS feeds available to desktop applications.

Users would need the company’s upcoming Internet Explorer 7 to take advantage of the feature coherently with the operating system. Furthermore, Longhorn would be able to store RSS feeds and other related information on the hard drive for use by other applications. "We're making a really big RSS investment in Longhorn," said Gary Schare, Director, Windows Product Management, Microsoft in a statement.

Thus far, Apple’s Safari and Mozilla’s Firefox browser currently offer integrated support for RSS feeds in their browsers. Microsoft hopes to do the same with Windows Longhorn and Internet Explorer 7.

However, Microsoft said RSS isn’t a regularly used technology and with the world’s largest software maker behind it, it could potentially make RSS into one of the fastest growing technologies. "It's cutting-edge technology but not something that would enlist a ton of new users," said Matt Rosoff, Analyst, Directions on Microsoft. RSS could become more popular if Microsoft builds into its Office apps features that consume information published that way, he commented.

Another different concept that Microsoft is planning on with RSS technology is opening it for developers. For example, Microsoft said it would leave the standard open for commerce sites, such as online retailers and music stores, to update the users with latest information.

The company added that it would make RSS integration available to Windows XP users as well. However, users won’t be able to store the information locally on their hard drives. That’s an exclusive feature to Longhorn, stated Microsoft.

Microsoft would distribute versions of Longhorn at its Professional Developers Conference in September next year.