Friday, 14 November 2008

Microsoft Launches Windows Live with Social Networking Features

In a recent announcement Microsoft said that it has relaunched its Windows Live online services to incorporate some of the social networking features popularized by companies like Facebook.

With the update, Spaces, Windows Live Hotmail, and Windows Live Messenger will get deeper ties with one another. While stressing that it is not trying to create a new social-networking site, Microsoft is nonetheless adopting concepts like news feeds and profiles that have made such services so popular.

Hewlett-Packard has a deal with Microsoft, too, regarding software for printing photos uploaded to Windows Live sites.

Starting in early 2009, Microsoft is also making a handful of changes to Hotmail. With the new version, PC users can send messages from any of their POP-enabled e-mail accounts — another Hotmail address or a Gmail address, for instance — and read Hotmail in other programs that support POP e-mail technology. The software maker also built instant messaging capabilities into Hotmail.