Windows Live
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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: informed, connected and protected experiences.[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 Windows operating 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.
Some released Windows Live services and programs include the Live Search search engine, the Windows Live Messenger instant messaging client, the Windows Live Hotmail webmail service, the Windows Live OneCare computer security service, and Windows Live Spaces.
Besides Windows Live, which is mainly aimed at individuals[2], there are some other Web properties from Microsoft that are branded as "Live": Microsoft Office Live for small businesses, the Xbox Live multiplayer gaming and content delivery system for Xbox and Xbox 360, and the Games for Windows - LIVE multiplayer gaming service for Microsoft Windows.
Contents |
[edit] Windows Live services
| Service | Codename | Website | Description | Development Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Live Account | http://account.live.com | The service for updating your Windows Live identity and managing your Windows Live relationship | Final | |
| Windows Live Admin Center | Custom Domains | http://admin.live.com | Provides e-mail hosting for web site owners | Final |
| Windows Live Agents | Direct Link | Part of Windows Live Messenger Interactive chatterbots through Windows Live Messenger that allow users to get more information about specific topics |
Final | |
| Windows Live Alerts | http://alerts.live.com | Send information updates to your email inbox, mobile device or Messenger | Final | |
| Windows Live Barcode | Confucius | https://barcode.ideas.live.com temporarily unavailable |
2D barcodes that can be used to store information or link to the mobile web | Beta |
| Windows Live Betas | http://get.live.com/betas | Website listing Windows Live beta services | Final | |
| Windows Live Calendar | http://calendar.live.com | Part of Windows Live Hotmail Time management service which allow users to organise appointments, schedule meetings, set reminders, and share their calendar events |
Beta | |
| Windows Live Call | Service Information | Part of Windows Live Messenger | Final | |
| Windows Live Contacts | http://contacts.live.com | 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] |
Final | |
| Windows Live Dev | http://dev.live.com | The development center and supplier of software development kits for Windows Live developers | Final | |
| Windows Live Drive Planned |
Live Drive or Storage | Allow files shared on a system to be accessed remotely over the Internet | N/A | |
| Windows Live Events | http://events.live.com | Part of Windows Live Spaces Manage and plan different types of events and share them with others using Windows Live Calendar, Spaces and Alerts |
Final | |
| Windows Live Expo Suspended |
Fremont | http://expo.live.com | Online classifieds | N/A |
| Windows Live Favorites | Roaming Favorites | http://favorites.live.com | Synchronizes your favorites between computers and lets you share favorites | Final |
| Windows Live Feeds Platform Planned |
N/A | |||
| Windows Live FolderShare | http://foldershare.live.com | File sharing and synchronization service acquired by Microsoft and now branded as a beta Windows Live service | Beta | |
| Windows Live Gallery | Customise | http://gallery.live.com | A center for collections of developers' add-ons for Windows Live products | Beta |
| Windows Live Groups Planned |
Part of Windows Live Spaces | N/A | ||
| Windows Live Guides Suspended |
http://shopguides.live.com | Part of Windows Live Shopping | N/A | |
| Windows Live Help Community | http://helpcommunity.live.com | Collection of forums and message boards to communicate with other users of Windows Live products | Beta | |
| Windows Live Home | http://home.live.com | Provides a central location to access Windows Live services, monitor status information, and navigate to other Windows Live sites and services | Final | |
| Windows Live Hotmail | Kahuna | http://mail.live.com http://hotmail.live.com |
Free webmail service using AJAX technology featuring email, contacts and calendar services | Final |
| Windows Live Installer | http://get.live.com/wl/desktop | A collection of Windows Live programs available for download | Final | |
| Windows Live ID | http://login.live.com | Works seamlessly with Windows Live services and allowing multiple sign-ins with different accounts | Final | |
| Windows Live Mail | http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview | Desktop mail client designed to succeed Outlook Express on Windows XP and Windows Mail on Windows Vista, with full RSS support | Final | |
| Windows Live Mailnica Windows Live Мыльница |
http://www.mailnica.ru | A service of Windows Live Russia offering registration of Live ID with several hundreds of different free domain names. | N/A | |
| Windows Live Max Planned |
Project M | Originally named Microsoft Max | N/A | |
| Windows Live Message Boards | http://boards.live.com | Provides a discussion forum for Windows Live services | N/A | |
| Windows Live Messenger | http://messenger.live.com | Instant messaging, personal file sharing and outgoing Voice over IP client | Final (v9.0 in Beta) | |
| Windows Live Messenger IM Control | http://settings.messenger.live.com | 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. | Beta 2 | |
| Windows Live Movie Maker Planned |
Sundance | Similar to Windows Movie Maker with additional enhancements that will make home video editing easier | N/A | |
| Windows Live OneCare | A1 | http://onecare.live.com | Computer Security Service. Features its own Anti-Virus program, back-up utility, and a software firewall | Final |
| Windows Live OneCare Family Safety | http://fss.live.com | Parental Controls similar to Windows Vista's Family Safety feature | Final | |
| Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner | Vegas | http://safety.live.com | Free PC scanning and health service to help delete viruses and other threats | Final |
| Windows Live Personalized Experience | http://my.live.com | An all-in-one home page featuring a customisable RSS aggregator, gadgets and search tools | Final | |
| Windows Live Photo Gallery | http://photogallery.live.com | Similar to Windows Photo Gallery with additional enhancements that will make posting photos to Windows Live Spaces and Soapbox easier | Final | |
| Windows Live Search Center Rebranded |
OneView or Casino | http://desktop.live.com | Rebranded as Windows Search 4 | N/A |
| Windows Live Shopping Rebranded |
http://shopping.live.com | Rebranded as MSN Shopping | N/A | |
| Windows Live Silverlight Streaming | http://silverlight.live.com | Allow developers and designers to deliver and scale rich media as part of their Silverlight applications | Beta | |
| Windows Live SkyDrive | SkyDrive | http://skydrive.live.com | Password-protected online file storage and sharing | Final |
| Windows Live Spaces | Spaces 12.2 | http://spaces.live.com | AJAX based version social networking, blogging, and photo sharing site | Final |
| Windows Live Toolbar | http://toolbar.live.com | A toolbar which adds itself to Windows Internet Explorer, allowing quick access to a user's Windows Live Spaces, Hotmail, Favorites and Live Search from a button on the toolbar | Final | |
| Windows Live Translator | http://translator.live.com | Translate texts or web pages between different languages | Final | |
| Windows Live TV Suspended |
Nemo or Orbit | Beta Information | An additional program for Windows Media Center which will provide access to Windows Live Spaces, Messenger, and Call on large-screen monitors or TVs | N/A |
| Windows Live Web Messenger | Online version of Windows Live Messenger which allow users to talk online and in real-time with others using the .NET Messenger Service from within a web browser | Beta | ||
| Windows Live WiFi Center Suspended |
http://wifi.live.com | Allow users to search for wireless networks that are available and displays information about them. | N/A | |
| Windows Live WiFi Hotspot Locator Suspended |
http://hotspot.live.com | Rebranded as MSN WiFi Hotspots | N/A | |
| Windows Live Writer | http://writer.live.com | Desktop blog publishing tool | Final |
[edit] Live Search
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 Search Cashback
- Live Search Club
- Live Search Farecast
- Live Search Feeds
- Live Search Health
- Live Search Images
- Live Search Local
- Live Search Macros
- Live Search Maps
- Live Search News
- Live Search Products
- Live Search QnA
- Live Search Video
- Live Search xRank
Services that have been discontinued include:
Additionally, Live Search Webmaster Center and Live Product Upload provide content submission services to webmasters and merchants to add their contents to Live Search.
[edit] Live Mesh
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
- MeshFX - a REST-based application programming interface for accessing the Live Mesh services over HTTP
[edit] Windows Live Mobile Services
| Mobile Service | Codename | Website | Description | Development Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live.com Mobile | http://mobile.live.com/portal | A customized Live.com homepage available for mobile devices | Beta | |
| Live Search Mobile | http://m.live.com | Search engine for web-enabled mobile devices | Final | |
| Windows Live Hotmail Mobile | http://mobile.live.com/hm | A customized version of Windows Live Hotmail that targets mobile devices | Final | |
| Windows Live Messenger Mobile | G2 | http://mim.live.com | A version of Windows Live Messenger that is designed for mobile devices | Final |
| Windows Live Spaces Mobile | http://mobile.spaces.live.com | A customized version of Windows Live Spaces that targets mobile devices | Final |
[edit] 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.
| API | Description | Development Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Live Data | Allows developers to access the user's Windows Live services and data with various authentication methods | Alpha |
| Windows Live Quick Applications | Provide customizable out-of-the box solutions and source codes for specific web scenarios using Windows Live services. | Beta |
| Windows Live SDK | A suite of APIs for programmatic access of various Windows Live services from other web sites or applications | Beta |
| Windows Live Tools | A set of control add-ins for Microsoft Visual Studio for incorporating Windows Live services into web applications | Beta |
[edit] 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.
Live Labs' focus is on applied research and practical applications of computer science areas including natural language processing, machine learning, information retrieval, data mining, computational linguistics, distributed computing, etc.[6]
| Service | Codename | Website | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Live Labs Deepfish | Deepfish | http://labs.live.com/deepfish | 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 |
| Microsoft Live Labs Listas | Listas | http://listas.labs.live.com | Allow users to create and share lists (text, images, links, RSS feeds, etc.) |
| Microsoft Live Labs Photosynth | Photosynth | http://labs.live.com/photosynth | Displays a large collection of photos in a reconstructed three-dimensional space. |
| Microsoft Live Labs Relay Service | http://relay.labs.live.com | Allow users to expose a Windows Communication Foundation based service to the Internet from behind a firewall or NAT | |
| Microsoft Live Labs Security Token Service | http://sts.labs.live.com | Online identity management service that lets you offload authentication functions | |
| Microsoft Live Labs Volta | Volta | http://labs.live.com/volta | Developer toolset that enables multi-tier web applications by splitting it into different client and server parts |
| Live Clipboard | Allow users to cut, copy and paste rich data between webpages and browsers using an XML format | ||
| FeedSync | Simple Sharing Extensions | http://feedsync.mslivelabs.com | Extensions to RSS and Atom feed formats designed to enable the aggregation of information by using a variety of data sources |
| Windows Live PhotoZoom | PhotoZoom | http://photozoom.mslivelabs.com | Add photos via an upload tool or RSS feed and uses Microsoft Live Labs Seadragon and Silverlight technologies to enable zooming functionality |
[edit] Themes
[edit] 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:
[edit] 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:
[edit] 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ What is Windows Live?. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
- ^ a b "Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Services (press release)", Microsoft PressPass, 2005-11-01. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
- ^ Thurrott, Paul. "Windows Live Preview", Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows, 2006-01-18. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
- ^ Windows Live Dev - Windows Live Contacts Gadget
- ^ Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft severs Live Search from the rest of the Windows Live family
- ^ Live Labs Manifesto
- ^ Windows Live 2.0 release notes
- ^ Post on LiveSide about the new look for Windows Live
[edit] External links
[edit] Windows Live
- Live.com Homepage
- Windows Live Products & Services
- Windows Live Betas
- LiveSide: Windows Live News
- LiveSino: LiveSide in Chinese
- Windows Live Blog on Windows Live Spaces
[edit] Microsoft Live Labs
[edit] Media
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