MICROSOFT LIVE ERA

Yeah, I'm behind on a bunch of tech posts in my bookmarks. This announcement is a few days old, but just in case for your non-techies:

Kicking off what he called the "live era" of software, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said on Tuesday that the company plans to launch new Internet-based complements to its core products.

Gates said Microsoft is working on two products, "Windows Live" and "Office Live," that create opportunities for the company to sell online subscriptions and advertising. Both are targeted at smaller businesses and consumers.

The products won't replace the company's ubiquitous operating system or productivity suite, and people don't need to have that software loaded to tap into the Web versions. "They are not required to use Windows or Office," Gates said at a press event here. (full article)

Russell Beattie has a good analysis on this, "Microsoft’s Live: Monopoly 4.0"

TechCrunch's Michael Arrington chimes in here, "Office Live Will Be A Huge Productivity Tool"