Screen Shots: What Windows Live Is (and Isn't)
It is easier to show than tell what Microsoft's Windows Live is -- and isn't. Here are as many screenshots as I could round up of some of the shipping, beta and still-officially unacknowledged set of Microsoft software services known as "Windows Live." Because Microsoft is in the midst of a rebranding campaign and strategy shift in the Live space, any of these services could disappear at a moment's notice. You've been warned.
First up: Windows Live Alerts. Still in beta, this free instant-notification service is currently free and available in the U.S., Canada and China only.
"However, some content providers may charge for using their content with our service. Wireless service charges may apply for receiving or replying to alerts on wireless devices. Check your wireless service plan for details," Microsoft cautions testers.
Credit: Microsoft
Credit: LiveSide.net
Credit: LiveSide.Net
"Easily create custom Windows Live accounts in your domain that work with Windows Live and MSN services - for Free!"
Credit: Microsoft
In Microsoft lingo, Windows Live Favorites are simply the portable version of your Web site bookmarks. Favorites can run inside other Live services and/or be stored as a Live gadget.
Credit: Microsoft
Credit: LiveSide.Net
(This technology has gone through a few codenames already, including "Nemo" and, more recently, "Orbit.")
Credit: Microsoft
Credit Microsoft
When Microsoft finally moves from "beta" to "final" with this service, all old-school Hotmail users, plus the new Windows Live Mail ones are supposed to end up on the same page (and back-end infrastructure).
(The codename of Windows Live Hotmail was/is "Kahuna.")
Credit: Microsoft
(I think Virtual Earth may fit in here. Or is that now known as Windows Live Maps? Not totally sure.)
Credit: Microsoft
(At one point, WLMD was known as "Windows Live Mail Center," according to the LiveSide.Net posse. But "centers" seem to have fallen out of style among the Live branders.)
Credit: Microsoft
Whatever you call it, this service is part of the "Windows Live for Windows Mobile" family of services.
Credit: LiveSide
Credit: Microsoft
(This is the product that is/was codenamed "G2.")
Credit: LiveSide
(OneCare was, at one time, codenamed "A1," like the steak sauce made from everything but the kitchen sink.)
Credit: Microsoft
(This service, at one time, had the word "settings" at the end of its name. It also was/is codenamed "Vegas." I think.)
Credit: Microsoft
Credit: Microsoft
Credit: Microsoft
This service is closely aligned (not surprisingly) to Windows Live Product Search.
(Windows Live Product Upload was/is codenamed "Agora," as in marketplace.)
Credit: Microsoft
Live Search for Mobile is part of Microsoft's group of services known as "Windows Live for Mobile." Others in the family include Windows Live Messenger for Windows Mobile; Windows Live Expo for Windows Mobile; and Windows Live Messenger for Windows Mobile. Yes, their names would fill the entire screen real estate available to them.
Credit: LiveSide
Credit: Microsoft
Credit: Microsoft
Credit: LiveSide
Credit: Microsoft
Credit: Microsoft
The Live team's worst-kept secret, Windows LiveDrive is going to be Microsoft's storage cloud in the sky. It will take the form of a storage service and associated set of storage APIs. No word on when Microsoft will finally go "live" with it, however.
Known at various times as the "Windows Search application," "Windows Search Center," "Windows Search Preview," "Casino," and "OneView," this service originally was outlined as an uber-search offering that would unite desktop, intranet and Internet search results. It will be interesting to see what it looks like if and when it ever sees the light of day.