The Live 'Ideas' site, including news, sports, technology and email within a password protected area is incredibly reminiscent of the Google personalised homepage. In fact the features are almost a mirror image. Perhaps the differences will become more apparent in the near future with Microsoft promising access to instant messaging and PC protection tools from the Live Ideas suite, this no doubt is where Microsoft see themselves getting an edge over the Google.
New updates offer users the ability to store news and topics in themed columns along with a newly updated weather link as users have already reported it a too cumbersome. Improvements to 'Live' have Microsoft claiming to be "The best place to search on the web" with the toll backed up by a multitude of search gadgets offering users to view search results in different views for example.
The Live suite has yet another beta test up its sleeve that web users may already be more than accustomed to: the highly publicised Windows Live Toolbar. The creation of the Microsoft toolbar is an interesting development from Microsoft as it sees the computer giant employing features that users of other browsing software will be very familiar with. For example, those who share a passion for the Mozilla browser Firefox will be surprised to see Microsoft offering tabbed browsing - a familiar feature from the Mozilla offering.
Another set of toes Microsoft may be stepping on are those of the search giant Google, the toolbar offers a search function described on the beta site as: "Onfolio, a tool that puts serious muscle behind your online research". This development has already been causing ripples in the online search market and looks set to create a few more. Features include the ability to customise the toolbar, and to detect and set up RSS feeds to your 'Live' homepage. The main selling point of this tool for Microsoft is its focus on security. The toolbar offers the ability to "safely search from any webpage", cutting down on pop ups and even shows a warning to users when their personal information may be being scammed by sites.
It's clearly a statement of intent from the software giant: watch this space.
