Windows Live is the collective brand name for a set of services and software products from Microsoft. A majority of these services are Web applications, accessible from a browser, but there are applications that need installing as well. There are three basic groups of these services: connect, share and protect.[1]
Windows Live was announced on November 1, 2005. Several Windows Live properties were rebranded and enhanced from Microsoft's MSN set of products and services. However, MSN still exists alongside Windows Live as a means of delivering programmed content (as opposed to customized content and communications).[2] Although the new branding might suggest closer technical ties to the Microsoft Windowsoperating system and services, the two are available separately. Microsoft said that Windows Live "is a way to extend the Windows user experience".[3] However, some Web browser based Windows Live applications are available outside of Windows, and Windows doesn't include Windows Live applications either. Windows Vista does, however, provide a link in its user interface to download Windows Live Messenger.
Part of Windows Live Hotmail Time management service which allow users to organize appointments, schedule meetings, set reminders, and share their calendar events
Part of Windows Live Hotmail, Messenger, Mail and Spaces. The contact book service which allows people to keep contacts and synchronize the contact's information with their Live Profile. Also refers to a client-side browser JavaScript object that enables visitors to use their Windows Live contacts with website[4]
Enables web sites to show the presence of Windows Live Messenger users, and let site visitors engage in instant messaging conversations with the Messenger users. When a site hosts the Windows Live Messenger IM Control, site visitors can instant message Messenger users directly from the browser.
Combines digital video with e-mail into a service that allows all webcam users to create, send, and receive video messages to anyone in their Windows Live Contacts list, even when they are offline.
As of 2007-03-21, Microsoft has decided to separate its Live Search developments from its Windows Live services family, forming part of the Live Search and Ad Platform. Live Search (formerly Windows Live Search and MSN Search) will consolidate with Microsoft adCenter in a new group headed by Satya Nadella, part of Microsoft's Platform and Systems division.[5]
In addition to searching webpages, other Live Search services include:
Live Mesh is a software as a service platform released on April 23, 2008 that enables PCs and other devices to connect with each other through the internet. It allows applications, people, and devices to be synchronized across multiple devices using FeedSync and cloud computing technologies. Live Mesh currently consists of:
Mesh Operating Environment - software component that manages the synchronization relationships between devices and data
Live Desktop - online cloud storage service that allows synchronized folders to be accessible via a website
Live Mesh Remote Desktop - software that allow users to remotely connect and manage to any of the devices in a synchronization relationship
A version of the Live Mesh webpage that is designed for mobile devices
Tech Preview
Developer APIs
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), documentation and sample codes for several Windows Live services are provided on Windows Live Dev, a development center and supplier of software development kits (SDKs) for the Windows Live Platform. It also provides information on getting started with developing for Windows Live services, access to community areas and relevant blogs, and announcements of future releases and innovations.
A set of control add-ins for Microsoft Visual Studio for incorporating Windows Live services into web applications
Beta
Microsoft Live Labs
Microsoft Live Labs is a partnership between MSN and Microsoft Research that focuses on applied research for Internet products and services at Microsoft.
Live Labs are headed by Dr. Gary William Flake, who prior to joining Microsoft was a principal scientist at Yahoo! Research Lab and former head of research at the Web portal's Overture Services division.
Allow users to display and zoom into web contents on their Windows Mobile devices similar to the desktop format without requiring additional work by the site author
Developer toolset that enables multi-tier web applications by splitting it into different client and server parts
Themes
Blue Vapor
Most original Windows Live applications and services used a visual theme known as Blue Vapor or Flair. While the new "Wave 2.0" header has replaced Blue Vapor on most Windows Live sites, Blue Vapor remains in use on sites such as Windows Live Favorites. An example is shown below:
The Windows Live Flair header
Windows Live 2.0
With the public beta release of Windows Live Messenger 8.5, Mail, Writer and Photo Gallery, known as the Windows Live Wave 2.0 Suite[7] ("Wave" refers to the group or wave of products to be released), a new visual theme was released to enable the Aero transparency effect in Windows Vista. Also, the Flair standard header for Windows Live has been changed to a new and much different one.[8] An example is shown below:
Windows Live 2.0 header
Windows Live 3.0
Microsoft has already begun testing a new theme for their Windows Live Wave 3.0 services. This new visual theme allows users to customize their own background pictures.[9] It is currently implemented in Windows Live Calendar and Windows Live Family Safety beta services. An example is shown below:
Windows Live 3.0 header
Live Search
As part of Microsoft's plan to distinguish its Live Search brand from their Windows Live services, all of Live Search's services have upgraded their themes to a much different one since the codename Rome upgrade. According to the Live Search design team, the new theme reflects extensive user-centered researches which provides a "simple and powerful, human, and fast" experience.[10] An example is shown below:
Live Search header
Windows Live Butterfly
In order to recognize the contributions of beta testers, Microsoft has initiated the Windows Live Butterfly awards program (formerly the MSN Butterfly program).
Prospective 'butterflies' are selected by the (Microsoft internal) Windows Live product team and are nominated for a minimum term of one year, after which they must be selected again by the internal product teams or their membership in the group will be dropped. The 'butterflies' are given new Microsoft software to test before the beta releases go public and are in direct contact with the program managers for Windows Live software.
Selected Butterflies have been re-recognized for the year of 2008.
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