Windows Live Services

 

 

What are Windows Live Services?

Windows Live is the brand name for a set of online services and applications available, for the most part, for free from Microsoft.

While most of the services are used within a web browser, there are also some that require downloading and installation. Launched in November of 2005, Windows Live is designed to compete with many of the services that Google, Yahoo, and other Internet companies offer. Although it uses the Windows name, Windows Live is separate from the Windows operating system.

Although parts of Windows Live were released almost two years ago, many of the services are still very much a work in progress (just like Google Labs applications and services). More than half of the eventual 50+ planned services are either simply announced or still in their alpha or beta phases. Some services that are completed and officially final are Windows Live Search, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Hotmail, a Windows Live security service called OneCare, and a Windows Live social networking service called Live Spaces.

 

 

The Windows Live Brand

All the Windows Live programs and services are designed to be integrated by the user. Theoretically, computer users could spend a majority of their day to day online time using one of the Windows Live services.

The Windows Live brand is also designed to extend beyond the individual. Microsoft Office Live for instance is a bundle of services designed for small businesses. Xbox Live is designed to help gamers interact with each other while playing, and Games for Windows Live allows gamers to more easily connect using Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft calls the brand a way to extend the Windows user experience.

Windows Live, while technically separate from MSN services, has taken a lot of the MSN market share by design. Many MSN services, like MSN Search and MSN Messenger, were improved and re-branded under Windows Live. While MSN still exists, it is designed to deliver programmed content to consumers. As the technology sector, and especially the Internet move further towards customized content, Microsoft introduced Windows Live to grab a share of that market.

With many alpha and beta projects still in the works, the various Windows Live teams are making it clear that they are very interested in feedback on their products. It seems they are trying to compete with the favorable image that other Internet and technology companies like Google and Apple have been creating over the past 4 or 5 years.  

 

Microsoft's launch into the customized content market was well-publicized and they currently have blogs on many of their services that offer updates and ask for feedback on the ones that are not completed yet, very different to the Microsoft of 10 years ago!

With Windows Live, Microsoft is trying to stay competitive in a technology market that has become increasingly mobile and browser compatible. Microsoft has also recently announced the release of Microsoft Works 9, which will be a basic web based software that will compete with programs like Google Docs and Spreadsheets.

Still a computer giant, Microsoft has seen some of its influence in the market place decline as the needs of consumers change and other companies have responded faster.

Windows Live is one of the first of many steps in a new direction for Microsoft, and so far the results seem very positive.

The team have a blog where they make occasional posts at:

http://livecom.spaces.live.com

 

 

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