Is Windows Live a Killer?
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Microsoft will roll out a totally revamped Windows Live this fall. |
The emphasis will be as much on "Windows" as on "Live."
During Microsoft's annual Financial Analyst Meeting today, Kevin Johnson, president of Microsoft's Platform and Services division, described the new Windows Live as "a single suite of user services" that would be available as a "single download."
He emphasized that the new services package would be the "must-have free upgrade to the Windows experience."
The revamped service's glue will be the 380 million "active" Windows Live IDs. Microsoft defines active as use at least once every 30 days.
Microsoft considers search services to have "low switching costs," Johnson said. Analysts have long pointed to this vulnerability in Google's business model—that users can pretty easily switch search engines. Johnson also noted that analysts' figures show that most people use at least two search engines.
Microsoft is counting on the new Windows Live suite as being stickier than, say, Google services. Live ID is essential because it opens up services across devices, such as PCs and cell phones. Turner described Live ID services as "sticky."
Conceptually, Microsoft's Live suite approach is very un-Web 2.0. Microsoft seeks to put computing and informational relevance back on the desktop and away from the Web. Microsoft emphasis is software plus services, while companies like Google push services plus software.
But how can Microsoft have it both ways—services reaching across the Internet and yet anchored at the desktop? The answer: Windows Live ID. The authentication/identity mechanism will transcend services in the cloud and supporting software on the desktop. Johnson didn't say it this way. It's my interpretation of how things will work.
It's reasonable to expect that the suite will be Windows-only. The November 2005 Windows Live rebranding was always supposed to be about the operating system. Microsoft sees Live as enhancing the value of Windows. While operating system release cycles are often separated by several (or many) years, with Windows Live the company can add new services and products on a faster schedule. For example: Windows Live Mail replacing Vista's Windows Mail.
That said, a Windows-centric approach would polarize Microsoft's consumer services from virtually every other Web service, from every other company. The whole point of Web 2.0 is ubiquity: informational access anytime, anywhere and on anything. I'm not suggesting that Microsoft is going to close up services like Windows Live Hotmail to non-Windows systems (yet). But access could get harder all the time. Windows Live Spaces is representative of the fact that some of the best features require a Windows PC.
My point? When Microsoft executives talk about software plus services, what they really, really mean is "Microsoft software plus Microsoft services. Windows Live wants Web 2.0 dead.
Comments (15)
"Point: When Microsoft executives talk about software plus services, what they really, really mean is "Microsoft software plus Microsoft services."
How ridiculous. Obviously they're interested in promoting their products and services. But if they thought it was only about them, they wouldn't be building things like Silverlight and the rest of the development offerings so that others can build on the platform.
Posted by Paul | July 26, 2007 5:24 PM
this is why microsoft is losing an entire generation of developers.
Posted by kevin | July 26, 2007 5:53 PM
I wish Live.com would load as fast as Google.com I think part of the reason why its slow is that Vapor Blue banner theme they have been using. They should make the Live.com page as simple as Googles.
I also believe they should make services like Spaces more open not requiring Live IDs. Its very lame, its a platform for expression not control.
Posted by Andre Da Costa | July 26, 2007 6:12 PM
If the new rollout of Windows 'Live' is anything like the current round of offerings, most of which are in beta, I have one word of advice RUN!
Windows Live Writer Beta refused to install simply quiting midway through the process, but littering my hard drive with half a dozen directories of useless junk. Microsoft's response was to tell me to go on a scavenger hunt deleting them and then try again.
Windows Live Desktop Beta added pop up search balloons for Windows Live Search to my desktop and crashed the group security policies for my control panel. It added over 400 errors to the registry requiring to completely re-install Windows XP and my applications. While I was working with it, the program refused to recognize any other email account except Hotmail.
There is no way I will ever put a Microsoft 'Live' product, beta or otherwise, on my desktop again.
I do all my email on the web now, and download it once a week to a desktop for archive purposes. I won't name the service, but you can bet it isn't one run by Microsoft.
Posted by Ohadi Langis | July 26, 2007 8:39 PM
Yes Windows Live WILL BE a killer in coming days.
As Paul said, yes ridiculous is the better word to describe all the posts here !!!
I am surprised that you have ZERO business sense !!!
If a company have a SUCCESSFUL OS which have >90% market share then it make sense to levarage that potential !!!
Whatever you write that doesn't matter, what matters is HISTORY of past 25+ years !!!
Posted by DD | July 26, 2007 9:11 PM
Exhibit A: Windows Live Mail
Only on a Windows OS will I get the "Full" experience. On any other OS it purposely renders a crippled "Light" page with missing features and only basic functionality.
Sticky? Yep. I won't stick with a Windows Live service that goes out of its way to determine, then penalize for not paying the Microsoft OS tax. Funny how Google et al can deliver the same user experience across all platforms...
Posted by Christopher | July 26, 2007 10:18 PM
Microsoft's strategy will not require a Windows PC.I am suprised that you insist on this. The services will offer the best experience on a Windows PC taking advantage of the interactivity that a Windows UI can offer. It will downgrade gracefully, when that is not available, probably using some sort of AJAX functionality, much in the same way that DHTML or Javascript worked. Actually, using silverlight an probably AJAX they can offer a rich UI experience on a none windows OS as well. What they are trying to do makes absolute sense to me and given that Microsoft is a pionner on the building blocks of Web 2.0 technologies (AJAX, XML WebServices, SOAP etc, XML) they are in the best position to execute it.
Posted by evan | July 27, 2007 3:08 AM
Well, what is new?
Microsoft just does not get it yet. For them it is all about Windows, Windows, Windows... 90% of their customers don't even care about the OS and neither should they. The OS is losing more and more importance.
it is a plattform, nothing more. As a system specialist, I glorify the OS. But a normal user does not care, if he writes his e-mail or his documents on a Mac, Windows or Ubuntu for that matter. If it works, it works.
And it does, multi plattform apps are not an option anymore, they are an absolute must. MS is still glued on Office and Windows and restricts everything to that. Due to that, if Google will score with their web app strategy, it will directly hurt MS. The old story all over: A old fashioned company that cannot adjust to new market demands and sticks to their old tricks.
Posted by Markus | July 27, 2007 5:47 AM
I agree, Web 2.0 seems far less more than any other thing over here.
It seems MSFT is selling windows more than Live.
MSFT should really go for non-windows based things as well, that will in return bring more users and more access for its Live services.
Posted by Hassan | July 27, 2007 5:53 AM
I will admit, the Live Services do need some work. I have not had the extent of problems as Ohadi, but the performance, reliability, stability are definitely a work in progress. Live OneCare (2.0) scan time is very slow and long, the most recent beta of Windows Live Mail refuses to download mail or takes forever (installed on Vista x64). I continue to use and backup my Live Hotmail through Outlook.
Windows Live Writer the latest beta works just fine, I am still using the first beta on my other machine without any issues. Search on Live Spaces stink, I want readers of my blog to be able to search within my Space, not across spaces. Microsoft search strategy needs to be more sensible.
Posted by Andre Da Costa | July 27, 2007 8:35 AM
help i cant read this!
i need more pictures!
too much wirting lol
Posted by puppet | July 27, 2007 10:37 AM
Well, if you don't understand what's new that is not Microsoft's problem. As I said Microsoft's hybrid approach makes sense, not only because their OS has 90% of the market, but also in order to overcome the limitations of a browser, even if AJAX, silverlight or whatever other client footprint is used. My guess, is that even companies like Google, claiming to proceed in pure web 2.0 platform, will at some point use a client footprint to overcome browser limitations and offer a richer more optimized experience.
Posted by evan | July 27, 2007 11:29 AM
Joe;
"My point? When Microsoft executives talk about software plus services, what they really, really mean is "Microsoft software plus Microsoft services. Windows Live wants Web 2.0 dead."
Great finish, my man, but I think it may be closer to the truth of Microsoft wants Web 2.0 to conform to the will of Wild Willy Gates... Microsoft will most certainly attempt to dominate as usual.
Keep up the good work Joe!
Posted by Douglas S. Taylor | July 27, 2007 1:36 PM
Yes.
And it will kill Microsoft.
Posted by Vexorian | July 27, 2007 7:36 PM
Doug, Microsoft has pioneered Web 2.0 for years and have used it in the right places. Can anyone say Outlook Web Access?
The platform Web 2.0 itself will never sustain itself in its current form. Its far too limited in performance, reliability and stability. Yes, the network bandwidth will help overcome some of its limitations, but the richness and 24-7 availability will be its downfall for the foreseeable future.
Its good when combined in the combination Microsoft is pioneering, software plus services, supplementing where needed. If I need to check my Mail on the road I have OWA and Live Hotmail. If I need to make a quick blog post when I'm on the road, I can do it through a Web Form in the browser through the Live Spaces editor.
Peoples wild fantasy that the future of software and computers will be a big old web browser is a bit too naive for the soul. Lets start trying to think more practically.
Posted by Andre Da Costa | July 30, 2007 2:22 AM