The Microsoft “Live” Platform
Microsoft held a press event today around their “Live” platform.
The best coverage that I’ve found of the announcement can be found here:
- O’Reilly Radar: Live Software
- TechCrunch: Microsoft Live Event – My Real Time Notes
- tech.memeorandum
There were two major announcements, Windows Live and Office Live. What I’ve gleaned from the announcement so far is:
Windows Live
- Is an independent (independent of the windows operating system) web site offering integration into online services such as mapping, IM, online gadgets (dashboard/konfabulator style widgets), spaces (social networking), social bookmaking etc
- It seems like Microsoft’s answer to many of the things Google has been doing lately (GoogleTalk, Google Maps, Google Reader etc) and more
- Will be ad driven – again sounds very Google
- A list of all of the services available on Live can be found here
- It’s being emphasised over and over that this does not replace MSN – this seems hard to believe as they offer very similar services. Especially when they say things like “This will be the next-generation MSN Messenger”!
- Windows Live will have a formal ad engine which will allow for a competitive market – umm . . . similar to Google AdWords
- Seems to be partially up and running with some services available. Although funnily enough, most of it is in beta – at the risk of repeating myself again, the “G” people like to have everything in eternal beta. I hope this doesn’t mean the same for MS
- Is a platform for developers to build upon and integrate into – not sure what this means but I guess they’ll be an SDK soon
Office Live
- Online productivity and collaboration service
- Independent of Microsoft Office
- Sounds to me like a SharePoint portal server for everyone
- Two levels of service, ad supported and premium ad free service
I haven’t yet played with it but will shortly and will report anything I find interesting.
-dg
Categories: Technology
I am a little sceptical at the term “Is an independent web site…” when it comes to Mr Ballmer and Mr Gates. I wonder just how “independent” it really will be.
I am not surprised, however at the almost blatant knock-off of the G’s site and content. MS have been doing it since windows 3.0 and the mouse.
I heard a comment once about war that may relate to this particular situation/strategy….it went something like the following:
“In the old days, you went to war, fought and died…now days, you go to the county, learn their language, eat their food and buy the country out from underneath them…”
It would seem it’s a case of taking someone else’s idea and throwing a boat-load of cash at it to “improve” it. And what do you have in the end? – the same thing with a different name!
Long live choice for the consumer as I guess, in the end, we are the ones that benefit from MS’ copy and conquer strategy.
I meant independent as in independent of Windows.
That’s the last time I have you over for dinner. It seems you have made your intentions clear :-)
-dg