The new Windows Live is here!

Today Microsoft released the next generation of Windows Live! You can get all the new products now at the new WindowsLive.com. You can install everything in one download, or pick just the products you want.

Everything coming out today is designed to work with the Windows Live services you’re already using, like Windows Live Spaces, Hotmail, Messenger, and Windows Live for mobile, but of course, they add a whole slew of new features into the mix.

Today’s release includes:

• Windows Live Mail — This desktop mail program lets you see all your e-mail accounts in one place (including Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, or any other IMAP or POP web e-mail account), and adds all kinds of features you don’t normally get with web mail.
• Windows Live Messenger (update) — The popular IM program has a new upgrade, including improved contact cards, file sharing, video calling, and VOIP capabilities.
• Windows Live Writer — A WYSIWYG editing program for bloggers that makes it easy to add photos, maps, tags and more to your blog, and publish directly to Windows Live Spaces, Blogger, TypePad, and many other blogging services.
• Windows Live Photo Gallery — Helps you find, organize, fix, and share your photos and videos, stitch together panoramic photos, and upload them all directly to Windows Live Spaces or Flickr.
• Windows Live Toolbar (update) — Easy access to Live Search and Windows Live, custom buttons, and security features that help you block suspicious websites and pop-ups.
• Family Safety from Windows Live OneCare — Tools to help you protect your children from inappropriate websites and contacts. You decide how much control you want for each child.

U can download all the products here- http://get.live.com/wl/all

More info can be found at the official blog here

Windows Live Wave 2 including Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Final build 8.5.1302.1018 leaked

The latest version of Windows Live Messenger,Writer, Toolbar, Photo Gallery, Family Safety and including Sign-in Assistant has been leaked by mess.be on the net before it's official released this evening.Not much updates has been available till yet but If U are eager to download the latest version then U may download here.You might have to uninstall your previous client first.

>> Download Windows Live Installer (English).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Spanish).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Dutch).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Italian).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (French).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Brazilian Portuguese).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (German).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Turkish).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Arabic).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Japanese).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Russian).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Hebrew).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Romanian).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Ukranian).
>> Download Windows Live Installer (Finnish).

We are also downloading all the updates and will let U know more about it very soon!!!!!!

(NOTE: MS Experience does not support piracy and these links are just for the guys who cant wait for the official release :) )

Source- Mess.be

Windows Live Home page changes

As you probably know by now, Windows Live Home is the central page for Windows Live on the Web. It provides an easy jumping-off point to all your Windows Live web services and gives you at-a-glance status for some of them. On the Home page, you can quickly check for new e-mail, new comments on your blog, or updates from your Spaces friends without having to go to each of those pages.

Today we’ve released a new version of the Windows Live Home page.

Here are some of the cool additions you’ll see starting today:

• Personalized page: You asked for it, you got it! A direct link to your Live.com personalized page, where you can add gadgets and RSS feeds to see the latest content that YOU want to see.
• Events: Our new event-planning service, Windows Live Events, now has a link on the Home page, too. Use it to help plan your next holiday party or night on the town. Read more about the Events service here.
• Family Safety: If you use Family Safety to help keep your kids safer online, now you can easily access their latest activities with a direct link from the Home page.
• Friends’ updates: Now you can see more specific info about your Spaces friends, like who they’ve become friends with, and what photos they’ve added recently.
• Free downloads: You can get the latest Windows Live software including Messenger, Mail, Photo Gallery, Toolbar, Family Safety, and Writer from the “More Windows Live services” link on the right side of the Home page. Install just one, or get them all.

You probably already know that you can get to your space from Windows Live Home. Make sure you do that today. As we mentioned in our last blog post, Spaces has just released a bunch of new features, including improved photo sharing, more info about your friends, and easier navigation. Want to know more? Check out the long list of great new features on the Space Craft blog.

Source: http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Suite available for download

Microsoft has released Windows Live Suite with lots of updates.

Here are the following updates available-

Windows Live Messenger 2008; Build 8.5.1288.0816
This version gives you everything you already love about Messenger-your contact list, emoticons, instant access to your friends-plus an updated look.

Windows Live Mail 2008; Build 12.00.1365
Ever use Outlook Express? Windows Live Mail offers similar features, plus some great new ones-like free access to Windows Live Hotmail and all your other e-mail accounts, and integration with other Windows Live services.

Windows Live Writer 2008; Build 12.0.1277.0816
Windows Live Writer is a desktop application that makes it easy to publish rich content to your blog.

Window Live Photo Gallery; Build 12.0.1193.815 New!
Windows Live Photo Gallery allows you to easily share your memories with others while managing your photos and videos.

Windows Live Toolbar              

Windows Live Toolbar lets you start a search from any Web page, and helps you personalize your Web experience with custom buttons.

You may notice that new updates to most of the software's has been released like that of Windows Live Mail,Windows Live messenger,Windows Live photo Gallery and our favorite Windows Live Writer.

All the releases can be clubbed and download together via Windows Live Installer suite or U can just downloads the products individually by clicking on the links above and also do check Video: Windows Live Installer Demo

New and modified categories for the Windows Live product family

 In early September 2007, you will see eight new / modified product categories in the Windows Live family of products.

Following are the categories -

1. Windows Live contains updates/upgrades for all Windows Live programs. All Windows Live programs are compatible with both Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems.

2. Messenger Installation and Upgrades contains installation and upgrade files for Windows Live Messenger, an instant messaging, file sharing, and PC to PC free calling program.

3. Photo Gallery Installation and Upgrades contains installation and upgrade files for Windows Live Photo Gallery, a tool for editing photos and organizing and sharing photos and videos. This program expands and improves on features available in Windows Photo Gallery (part of Windows Vista), and works on either Windows XP or Windows Vista.

4. Mail Installation and Upgrades contains installation and upgrade files for an e-mail program that allows users to manage multiple e-mail accounts, newsgroups, and RSS feeds in one place. This program combines elements of Outlook Express and Windows Mail with new features and improvements that are unique to new Windows Live Mail.

5. Writer Installation and Upgrades contains installation and upgrade files for a program that makes it easier to edit and publish rich content to your blog. Writer is compatible with multiple blog services, including Windows Live Spaces.

6. OneCare Family Safety Installation contains installation files for a program that helps parents protect their children from access to inappropriate website content and contacts.

7. Sign-in Assistant Installation and Upgrades contains installation and upgrade files for a tool that simplifies switching between multiple Windows Live IDs. This program is used in conjunction with all Windows Live online services, and is therefore recommended.

8. Toolbar Installation and Upgrades contains installation and upgrade files for Windows Live Toolbar, an Internet Explorer extension that provides search, customizable buttons, and quick access to maps and other information.

In September, we will be submitting Beta releases for the above mentioned applications through these categories. The apps will be marked as Optional and Feature Packs. We will let you know when we ship the final release (RTM) version of the Windows Live software.

Source- Technet Blogs

Sign into Windows Live, MSN, Hotmail & Passport sites with Cardspace

Windows CardSpace is client software that enables users to authenticate to a website or web service using information cards for added security. Information cards contain identity meta data and can be given to a user by an identity provider such as a bank, employer or government or created by the user themselves.
When the user chooses a card, a signed and encrypted security token containing the required information (e.g. name and address, employer’s name and address, or credit limit) is generated by the identity provider that created the card. The user can then decide whether to release this information to the requesting online service. If the user approves, a token is sent on to the third party where the token is processed and the identity information is extracted.

Today, the Live team has announced a practical use of this authentication method by introducing beta support to sign into Windows Live, MSN, Hotmail & Passport sites using a Windows Cardspace.
If you are using Windows Vista which has in built Cardspace support, visit Windows LiveID Information Card management page to create self signed information cards. Windows XP and 2003 users will need to download and install Microsoft .Net Framework 3.0 with cardspace support which the website would prompt anyway if it is not detected.
After creating your first information card, you will see the choice of Password or Information Card when you visit any Windows Live enabled website or service on the Internet.

source- neowin

Nokia and Microsoft to Deliver Windows Live Services to Millions of Mobile Customers

Nokia, the world’s largest mobile device manufacturer, and Microsoft Corp., a global leader in online communications and communities, have joined together to provide customers with a new suite of Windows Live™ services specifically designed for Nokia devices.

Starting today, Nokia customers in 11 countries with compatible S60 devices can download the new suite enabling access to Windows Live Hotmail^®, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Contacts and Windows Live Spaces. Starting next year, customers who purchase compatible Nokia Series 40 handsets will also have access to these popular Windows Live services.

Nokia and Microsoft are empowering the “mobile lifestyle” by providing mobile customers with easy access to their world of online relationships, information and interests. By enabling access to Windows Live services on both the Nokia S60 and Series 40 platforms using standard Web services protocols, our mutual customers will have the power to seamlessly move between contacts, e-mail, messenger, phone calls, text messaging, camera, gallery and browsing, all in an integrated way.

Source- Microsoft PressPass

Windows Live Hotmail Gets an update

 The Windows Live Hotmail hasn't seen any update for a while since the launch of Windows Live Hotmail in May, however they've just launched a small but feature-packed update. As well as offering free accounts the new storage size of 5GB, paying customers (Hotmail Plus or MSN Premium) now get 10GB.

The Hotmail team has posted full list of changes on their blog among them here are some of the important changes

• Improved contact management lets you merge duplicate contacts. This is a personal favorite, so nice work by the Contacts team.

• Auto-away messages, useful for when you go on holiday

• Account forwarding, so now you can forward your Hotmail account to Gmail or Yahoo. Why you'd want to do that I don't know ;)

• And ofcourse the increase in storage capacity from 2 GB to 5 GB for free users and to 10 GB for premium users

  As usual these updates will not be rolled out immediately.They will be rolled out in parts and we will keep U updated on the latest updates being rolled out!!! 

Windows Live Hotmail Blog

Source- Liveside

Live Search for Windows Mobile v2 Released

 The latest version of our Live Search for Windows Mobile client is out the door! We continue to improve this great service by offering new requested functionality such as movie showtimes, restaurant ratings and better GPS navigation. As always, you can find the latest bits by pointing your Windows Mobile device browser to http://wls.live.com.

What’s new in V2?

• Movie Showtimes:  Want to see a movie but don’t know what’s playing?   Get Movie Showtimes near you and be on your way! 
• More Local Data:  Want to go out for dinner but not sure which restaurant to pick?  Let your fellow restaurant goers help you out – make a decision based on user ratings.
• Maps:  View Mobile Virtual Earth maps wherever you are.  For improved performance, pop in your storage card to enable the large cache option.
• Directions: Lost?  Get found with better support for GPS integration and improved turn-by-turn navigation.  We’ll even prompt you to auto-reroute if you get lost! 

source- activewin

Folders and Photo Gallery announced - more to come this summer

Windows Live Folders and Windows Live Photo Gallery are set to begin limited managed betas, according to an announcement by Microsoft today.  Windows Live Folders, which we showed you when it briefly popped up back in May, is the first attempt at a "storage in the cloud" service for Windows Live.  The beta will provide 500mb of online storage at no charge, with a 50mb individual file size cap.  I talked to Chris Jones, Corporate Vice President, Windows Live Experience Program Management, who showed me around Folders and Photo Gallery, and while he expects Folders to be used for document storage, and not music, photo, or video storage, he expects Microsoft to be "very competitive" in the storage space they provide.

(click to enlarge)

Windows Live Photo Gallery is a new product, an "upgrade" from the Windows Photo Gallery that comes with Vista, and which will be available as a free download for Windows XP SP2 as well.  Windows Live Photo Gallery will provide enhancements, such as a stitching tool, and will make posting photos to Spaces, or Soapbox for videos, far easier than it is today.

Windows Live Photo Gallery will be available in a managed beta in 9 worldwide markets (US, in English and Spanish), China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Japan, and Spain) with more to come.  Chris Jones made it clear that it's very important to reach a global market with these services, so expect to see more countries added quickly.

In addition, Jones says to expect more from Windows Live in the summer months and into the fall.  We should see a Windows Live Suite this summer, to be able to easily install multiple Windows Live "software plus services" products at once.

source-liveside

Windows Live-Project Shutter

A photo is more than just a second captured in frame. It speaks more than a thousand words. It tells of a thousand stories.
Now, you have the chance to tell your stories and share them with the world! Capture the unique moments that best depict the verve of your home city and submit original works to the 3 categories below:

Photographers who display originality and artistic flair will not only be honoured in our Gallery showcase but stand to win awesome prizes! For inspiration, check out the works from our guest photographers in the Gallery now.
Submission ends 29 June 2007 so hurry!
That's not all. Join the Project Shutter Community to connect with fellow shutterbugs and participate in a rich host of activities now!

Here is the link-http://www.projectshutter.com/

Win Tickets to the U.S. Live Earth Concert From MSN.com

MSN is giving away 17 pairs of tickets to lucky users of LiveEarth.MSN.com.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 4, 2007

Who: As the exclusive online media partner for Live Earth, MSN.com is giving people a chance to win tickets to the U.S. Live Earth concert at Giants Stadium. Live Earth, a monumental music event, will bring together more than 2 billion people to combat the climate crisis. MSN is the exclusive online destination for Live Earth information and live on-demand concerts, photo galleries, interactive tools and more.

What: Through four promotional opportunities beginning today, visitors to the LiveEarth.MSN.com site can win tickets to a Live Earth concert taking place on July 7 (7/7/07). Live Earth is a 24-hour, seven-continent concert series that will bring together more than 100 of the world’s top music acts to deliver a call to action to an audience of over 2 billion people to combat global warming.

MSN Live Earth Sweepstakes

Participants will watch video clues to answer three trivia questions about climate crisis and green information on LiveEarth.MSN.com. MSN^® will give away five pairs of Live Earth concert tickets, along with hotel and airfare.

More information here

Windows Live Mail, Live Writer & Messenger 8.5 Beta

Microsoft has announced the availability of 3 Windows Live products today, all of which are beta.

Windows Live Mail is the free consumer client Microsoft will invest in moving forward. It is a superset of existing free clients and will replace Outlook Express, Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail desktop beta. While it used to be a paid feature, Hotmail customers can now access their account for free in Outlook 2003 and Windows Live Mail.

Windows Live Writer is a blogging tool that has been available in the US since August of last year. The tool was very well received by US bloggers at launch since it provides increased product functionality for Windows Live Spaces users and it also allows publishing to many of the largest blogging products in the world.

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 will also go out with a largely back-end update, but includes feature updates such as new look and feel in sign-in and conversation window, new emoticons, and integration with Windows Live OneCare Family Safety.

For full information and download just visit the Microsoft Latest Releases section of the Tech Today or just click here

Windows Live FolderShare Beta - there is still hope

Looks like there is a ray of hope for those FolderShare users who've been out in the cold since Microsoft's acquisiton of ByteTaxi back at the end of the 2005. Apart from a a partial rebrand to Windows Live, there hasn't been much to get exicted about, but that may be about to change.

A new FolderShare page on feedback.live.com and a public foldershare newsgroup with some activity shows that FolderShare is getting some attention internally, suggesting that it may be a questions of when, not if, there is a new beta build.

To recap:

"FolderShare is a Windows Live Service that allows people to share their files with their friends, family & co-workers, and synchronize files across multiple devices. People can also access their files from anywhere on the web."

So how does this compare to Microsoft's other known storage products?
- Windows Live FolderShare provides remote access to files via a web browser and also synching capabilities similar to that of Messenger's Shared Folders.
- Windows Live Folders is a cloud storage service, allowing you to store your files at a Microsoft datacenter thereby providing access to your files even if your home PC is turned off.
- Windows Home Server provides remote access to files via a web browser and mapped drive access if you are on the same network

You can try out FolderShare at www.foldershare.com.

source- liveside

Signup for windows live betas

Want to be a Windows Live beta tester than here U get the chance to be one among them just complete the survey and U can become a Windows Live tester.Here is what the guy at liveside posted-
A new beta program for "Messenger, Mail, and Writer" was just added to Microsoft Connect suggesting that these three programs will be releasing into beta soon. While some information s already available, those who want to contribute something to the development of Windows Live products are encouraged to sign up.

Windows Live beta signup

Live Meeting 2005 Add-in: Live Meeting Add-in Pack

With the Live Meeting Add-in Pack, you can perform conferencing tasks directly from Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio, as well as from Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Office Communicator 2005.For more information on the fixes included in this latest version, please review the Readme here.The Live Meeting Add-In Pack consists of three distinct add-ins: the Live Meeting Add-in for Outlook, the Office Collaboration Add-in, and the Live Meeting add-in for Instant Messaging, each which offer unique features. Live Meeting Add-in for OutlookWith the Live Meeting Add-in for Outlook, you can:
Schedule a Live Meeting from Outlook
Identify individual meeting participants as attendees or presenters
Send separate invitations for attendees and for presenters
Specify default meeting options and override those defaults for specific meetings Live Meeting Add-in for Office Collaboration
With the Office Collaboration Add-in, you can start a Meet Now meeting directly from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, or Project. The document appears in an application sharing session.
Live Meeting Add-in for Instant Messaging
If the recipient also has the Live Meeting Add-in Pack installed, you can start a Live Meeting from Windows Messenger or from MSN Messenger.

download- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d1984810-117a-45ff-bfec-2756c6111097&DisplayLang=en

Experience the Windows Live for TV Beta

Today I just got the mail from Microsoft asking to Test Windows Live for TV beta.Here is how it reads-
Hi,

We’d like you to try a new great service from Microsoft called Windows Live(TM) for TV Beta.

Click here to download

Here are some things you might want to know about Windows Live for TV Beta.

It’s a new Spaces browser–browse millions of Spaces in rich 3D graphics with new Gallery views and full keyword search.

It lets you keep up with your friends and family–find out what your friends have been doing and saying on Windows Live Spaces
Have real-time text and voice conversations with Windows Live Messenger
Thanks for being part of the Windows Live for TV Beta.

Best regards,

The Windows Live for TV Beta team

source-Tech Today

Windows Live Search Gadget

Microsoft has released a new gadget for Windows Vista sidebar which helps users to search easily without loading the search page in the browser.

Installation of this gadget is also easy like the other Sidebar gadgets.
To download the gadget visit here

source- Tech Today

I'm making a difference

Today Microsoft is launching the "I'm Initiative," a new charity program carried out through Windows Live Messenger, benefitting nine different organizations. At the main site for I'm making a difference, you can learn more about the charities and how to help them out.

By placing one of the following emoticon codes in your Display Name, Microsoft will automatically donate to the charity of your choice whenever you start a new conversation. We're not sure whether or not putting the emoticon in your Personal Status Message registers a donation, maybe a Softie who's in the know can clue us in on that detail. Here are the charities available:

Text Code	Cause
*red+u	American Red Cross
*bgca	Boys & Girls Club
*naf	National AIDS Fund
*mssoc	National Multiple Sclerosis Society
*9mil	ninemillion.org
*sierra	Sierra Club
*help	StopGlobalWarming.org
*komen	Susan G. Komen for the Cure
*unicef	The US fund for UNICEF

The strongest point of this program is that it's so easy to participate that it would be foolish not to. Although this program has been known by some since the launch of Windows Live Messenger 8.1, it is new to the general public and today marks the official start of the campaign. Also, according to the FaQ people not living in the United States will not be able to participate. Each charity is guaranteed to recieve at least $100,000 in donations in the first year of the program, with no upper limit.

The program is already seeing a big response internally on the first day and I hope it grows into a big deal beyond the confines of Redmond. Microsoft has a great history of being a charitable company and it's good to see that they're taking another step in the right direction.

Go here to learn more and get started

Microsoft sends out Windows Live Beta Community Invitation

Microsoft has sent out invitations for participation in a pre-release program dubbed the “Windows Live Beta Community”. The e-mail asks its recipient to head over to the Invitations section at Microsoft Connect and input the included invitation ID, after signing in with a valid Windows Live ID. A survey normally ensues, but this time the go button takes the invitee directly to the Windows Live Beta Community web page. The page isn't anything special but it is more extensive than typical beta pages. For now, it is structured into 7 areas which answer simple FAQs. It is evident that the program is aimed at beta testers who are particularly active and genuinely want to help Microsoft develop and improve Windows Live products. What Microsoft has planned for these testers, however, is currently unclear, but the software giant made sure to throw out many Thank You already.