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Microsoft Preps Answer to Google Pack

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

August 25, 2006, 4:48 PM

Microsoft's latest Windows Live offering is for the most part not a new service at all, but rather a one-time download that includes a subset of the available Live applications, much like the Google Pack.

Called Windows Live Essentials, the program also features a new application called Windows Live Dashboard. The Dashboard would show the user what Live programs are installed and what is available for download, rather than requiring the user to visit the Windows Live Ideas Web site.

Although it was not detailed, the new application seems to be optimized at this time for Windows XP SP2 using Internet Explorer 6.x. At least two programs are slated to come with the download, Windows Live Messenger and Live Mail Desktop beta, although it is likely that other applications would be included as well.

Novice computer users seem to be the target of this latest service. "While the product won't necessarily be used by the more technically advanced users, especially those in the betas, it will no doubt benefit the vast majority," Windows Live blogger Chris Overd wrote for LiveSide.net.

"Essentials also has some pluses for Microsoft," he continued. "Smaller Windows Live products can take advantage of increased exposure and applications are more likely to stay current. There is also the 'small' benefit of getting Windows Live products preinstalled on Vista machines via OEMs, as Google have done recently with their toolbar."

Currently, the Windows Live Ideas site shows six services out of beta: Windows Live Messenger, Favorites, Expo, OneCare, Custom Domains, and Toolbar. 11 other services are in beta, not including functionality to integrate the messaging networks of Microsoft and Yahoo.

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By RonSonntag

edited Aug 28, 2006 - 11:12 AM

So WHERE is the link to this new offering from Microsoft? I'm a bit bemused that you seem to have links to the Google pack, to LiveSide.net, to everything EXCEPT what your article talks about.

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Aug 28, 2006 - 11:47 AM

"Preps" Answer to Google Pack. As in, not yet ready.

Score: 0

By IQ70

posted Aug 28, 2006 - 2:42 AM

One thing everyone forgets, the GooglePack is all 3rd party software. Microsoft Live Essentials is Microsoft's own products packaged together to work seamlessly.

And the similarity is only in the article author's head.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Aug 28, 2006 - 10:28 AM

"GooglePack is all 3rd party software"

You need to look at the pack again. Most of the software is from Google. The 2 or 3 non-Google ware (Symantec AV and Real Player) in the pack probably has financial interest in them. Why they bundle two of the worst software out there unless they have financial interest in them.

Score: 0

By IQ70

posted Aug 29, 2006 - 8:56 AM

Even the ones you call Google's own products were readymade bought from some other company.

The only software made by Google is GTalk.

Score: 0

By cranbers

posted Aug 27, 2006 - 9:08 PM

Google pack was interesting because it allowed you to have a manager to both install and maintain updates if they are available. Not only for google's own products but for other useful software they found worthy. This was done for no other reason or benefit then provide the common computer user with convenience. Microsoft doesn't do this. They do things to either cover their butt, provide an advantage in the market place or destroy competition. Thats about it, so bite me whoever things thats wrong or not the truth.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Aug 27, 2006 - 11:19 PM

So you think Google bundle software from different companies are do it for the good well or mankind? No for-profit organization will do anything for fee to benefit another for-profit organization. All for-profit organization has 1 goal, and it's to make profit, and destroy competitions if they are on their way.

Score: 0

By beta2watch

posted Aug 27, 2006 - 4:40 PM

I tried Live Mail Beta. It gives a wierd error. Anyways the idea from MS is far behind others. Innovation at MS means copying.

Score: 0

By IQ70

posted Aug 28, 2006 - 2:45 AM

And Google has all original products like Search, Email, Mozilla, Writely, Keyhole, Calender, Picasa, SketchUp. How many are original ideas or original Google developed softwares?

Score: 0

By Joe Dirt

posted Aug 26, 2006 - 10:34 AM

Junk.

Score: 0

By dn2004

edited Aug 26, 2006 - 10:17 AM

I welcome this, cant wait all updates in one place is good
no doubt it will include probably some of the following;
Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta
Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Writer
Windows Live Onecare
Windows Defender which no doubt will soon be named Windows Live Defender
Windows Live Wifi Suite
Windows Live OneCare Family Safety
and maybe some application to Upload stuff to Windows Live Drive
Windows Live Toolbar
Windows Desktop Search which will most likely be rebranded as Windows Live Desktop Search
and
Internet Explorer 7

:) I will use it if it comes out

Score: 0

By ds0934

posted Aug 27, 2006 - 1:53 PM

Nothing radically "new" here. Nothing. Not one thing I can't (or don't) already have that I consider a "need".

Score: 0

By ds0934

posted Aug 25, 2006 - 11:37 PM

Hmmm, is anyone else thinking this sounds like Microsoft Live Bob? :)

Score: 0

By cranbers

posted Aug 25, 2006 - 10:46 PM

guess I should of read the article. Not bad for not knowing what it said haha, i just read the heatline and I assumed.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Aug 26, 2006 - 3:10 PM

Not bad for not knowing what it said haha

How about miserable incompetence? Please, just stop.

Score: 0

By phill666

edited Aug 26, 2006 - 1:21 AM

You drink heavily don’t you? Too assume that packages containing multiple applications that are installed at the same time is somehow unique to Google let alone software developers makes you a moron. On the topic of being original, there are very few unique ideas coming out of any software shop right now, most shops including Google, are coming up with nothing more than improvements on other pieces of software.

I know my company has been using packages like the Google Pack to install different office computer configurations, so I can safely assume that Google copied us.

Score: 0

By cranbers

edited Aug 25, 2006 - 8:07 PM

Oh my god... Does Microsoft come up with ANYTHING, original? I mean I can only image what it will contain, oh wait they already have everything bolted to the os already. so are you telling me they are going to actually partner up and offer other people's software in a "pack" all for the convenience of their customers and not some twisted attempt to shove their own junk software down the windows user's throats?

I can't imagine it. Let's see what happends eh. Here is what it will contain I bet,

1. Micrsoft one care live trial.
2. office 2003 trial
3. Some pdf reader, not adobe.
4. windows defender (prob still in beta)
5. windows live, map program (whatever that may be)
6. IE7

Thats about it. Good job MS, I love your creative original ideas, you are so good to your customers and appreciate their business.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

edited Aug 27, 2006 - 5:06 AM

OMGOMG!!!111eleventy

'oh wait they already have everything bolted to the os already'

And Mac and Linux don't?

Let me see you remove pdf support, safari, iChat, etc etc from OS X.

I think it's called 'out of the box', which for some reason everyone seems to love, even though anyone with any brain whatsoever replaces them with better 3rd party software.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Aug 26, 2006 - 3:08 PM

Worse than a troll. This is an uneducated troll.

Score: 0

By Dreimanis

posted Aug 26, 2006 - 6:44 AM

shiish, take a chill pill, dude.

Score: 0

By ds0934

posted Aug 25, 2006 - 11:38 PM

Neither MS or Google have shown any innovation regarding this "pack" stuff. Re-bundled freeware is as old as ISP setup disks. Nothing new, but if you order before midnight they'll throw in a free kitchen knife set!

Score: 0

By Crand3

posted Aug 26, 2006 - 10:38 AM

My favorite about the google pack is the Norton Antivirus trial that doesn't have an uninstaller. Personally, I'm f'ing sick of google.

Score: 0

By Joe Dirt

posted Aug 26, 2006 - 3:47 PM

Of course, know why?

Because Google is the devil!

Score: 0

By ds0934

edited Aug 29, 2006 - 3:51 PM

Wait a minute, Joe Dirt wouldn't say that. The Waterboy's "momma" would say that. I'm confused now...

Score: 0

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