14 DAY TRIAL // In October and November, Microsoft has wrapped up its Wave 2 evolution of Windows Live. In this stage, the Redmond company's online suite of products and services was revamped with the release of a luxuriant range of new versions. With the growth of Live Search to phase 2.0, Microsoft has also brought to the table next generation variants for offerings, such as Windows Live Messenger, Writer, Mail, Photo Gallery, etc. Still, Windows Live is far from stagnation, with a new line-up of technology heading for it via WebFives, formerly Vizrea.
"In November of 2007, we reached an agreement with Microsoft, wherein Microsoft has acquired all rights to WebFives technology, patents pending, trademarks, and software to incorporate into its products and services over time. In order to make our wind down process as easy as possible for our users, Microsoft has agreed to provide us with a license to continue operating WebFives until the end of the year, giving you time to copy any information you would like to keep to your own PCs or another service prior to the end of the year," announced Michael Toutonghi, CEO, WebFives Corporation.
In the past, Toutonghi served at Microsoft as the vice president of the eHome division, and now, together with WebFives he's heading right back. According to the former CEO of WebFives, who failed to discuss the terms of the deal with the Redmond giant, the agreement was focused on the technology developed initially for Vizrea, as the actual service was far from being a hit with consumers. At this time it is unknown when will Microsoft integrate the WebFives technological assets into Windows Live.
"While WebFives has pioneered some great technologies, including automatic upload of content from mobile phones and PCs, high-quality video sharing services, and automatic RSS feeds for everyone, our next challenge will be to help Microsoft incorporate the best of those technologies into its already comprehensive suite of products and services. I encourage you to look at MSN Spaces and/or Windows Live services as an alternative to WebFives for serving your video, photo, music sharing, and blogging needs on the Internet," Toutonghi added.