Windows Live Services Get 'Wave 4' Updates

A planned 2010 update to Hotmail offers better e-mail organization tools and support for third-party services and devices, while an update to Messenger integrates third-party social networks. These “Wave 4” updates to the Windows Live online services also introduce the free consumer version of Office Web Apps, which lets users read and edit Office files with a Web browser. These updates, along with forthcoming updates to the Windows Live Essentials clients, will help Windows PC OEMs provide a better out-of-the-box experience for consumers who want to begin communicating with friends quickly. They also help Microsoft match competing services from Google.

Tighter Focus

The 2010 update to Windows Live, referred to internally by the code name Wave 4, kicked off in spring 2010 with announced changes to Hotmail, Microsoft’s Web-based e-mail service; and Messenger, a client and service that provide instant messaging, presence, and other forms of real-time communications. The update also introduces the free version of Office Web Apps, which lets users create and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote files with only a Web browser.