A Couple of Deaths in the Windows Live Family
It wasn’t very long ago that I wrote about the Microsoft Live Labs family and some of the new products they’re developing. Regretfully the recent news is that there has been a couple of deaths in the Windows Live family.
Windows Live Expo, Windows Live Search Books Publisher Program, Windows Live Search Academic have all been given their prognosis. It’s not good, they’re now all but DOA.
Not sure it really says much but although I’ve heard of them, I’ve never used a single one. I’m guessing I’m not the only one either given the forthcoming obituaries.
Windows Live Expo
It’s probably not a good sign when Google lists your homepage as “Untitled” as well. When you visit the Windows Live Exp website you’re immediately presented with a warning that the site won’t be around for long and you can’t create a new account.
It’s kind of too bad I guess. A place like eBay (which honestly needs some good competition to force it to continue to improve) but also where you can trade and swap items free of charge seems like a great idea.
Windows Live Search Books Publisher Program
If you visit the Windows Live Search Books Publisher Program now you get nothing but an announcement that they’re discontinuing the service and an apology to all of their beta participants.
Windows Live Search Academic
Nothing but a tombstone left on the Windows Live Search Academic website as well.
As was asked in the original article. Is this Microsoft giving up and letting Google have the ground for similar, competing sites and offerings? The first thing that comes to mind with that kind of statement is to look at the reverse question. If Microsoft were just announcing the launch of these services, would media be asking them why they were even trying? Another example of can’t win for trying?
I think Microsoft needs to stop thinking Google is their biggest competitor. Maybe they do and maybe they don’t. Maybe they are and maybe they aren’t. What I do see is a company with a massive user base. If every developer on each application or service made it their goal to absolutely wow! one customer, that would go much further than worrying about Google to me.
Source: Microsoft continues paring back the Windows Live family
Tags: Google, Windows Live Expo, Windows Live Labs, Windows Live Search Academic, Windows Live Search Books Publisher ProgramRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Beta Software, Corporate News, New Products, Other Microsoft Products, Windows Live
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