Microsoft plans to let employees begin testing its new search site this week, inside the corporate firewall. And despite our perfectly sensible case for choosing Start.com, it looks like Microsoft is going with the "Kumo" name instead -- for now, at least.

That's the situation based on this report today by CNet News.com's Ina Fried, saying that Microsoft this week is starting internal deployment of a revamped search site called Kumo, to replace Live Search. AllThingsD's Kara Swisher has a mini-gallery of screenshots. Judging from them, features include more grouping of search results by category in the main column of the page.

In case you're just tuning in, this is Microsoft's new bid to make headway against Google in the Internet search business. So what is Kumo, exactly? Here's an excerpt from an email to employees from Microsoft search chief Satya Nadella, quoted on both blogs:

We believe we can provide a better and more useful search experience that helps you not just search but accomplish tasks. During the test, features will vary by country, but you’ll see results organized in a way that saves you more time. An explorer pane on the left side of results pages will give you access to tools that help you with your tasks. Other features like single session history and hover preview help accomplish more in search sessions.

Swisher says Kumo "seems to be an interesting effort with a clean and spare look." She notes that Microsoft hasn't yet decided whether to use the Kumo name for the final release.

I've asked a Microsoft representative for a full rundown of the major new features, and I'll update this post depending on the response.