As part of its ongoing mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life forms and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before – and to buy up everything on the way over – Microsoft has announced its acquisition of video search engine VideoSurf.

In its current form, VideoSurf searches video content from multiple entertainment sites, including Hulu, CNN, Comedy Central.

“VideoSurf’s content analytics technology will enhance the search and discovery of entertainment content across our platform,” said Alex Garden, director of Xbox LIVE for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

“This holiday we will launch voice search across our entertainment partners on Xbox LIVE. Over time, as we integrate VideoSurf’s technology into our system, we are excited about the potential to have content tagged in real time to increase the speed and relevance of the search results.”

“Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Division is at the leading edge of connected entertainment,” added Lior Delgo, CEO and co-founder of VideoSurf. “We are incredibly excited to be working together on our mutual passion for creating amazing consumer experiences* and reinventing how consumers search, discover and enjoy content on their televisions.”

The incoming Xbox dashboard update adds nearly 40 channel apps* to the console, including Bravo*, Comcast*, HBO GO*, Verizon FiOS*, Syfy*, BBC*, and Lovefilm*.

* Not available in South Africa.