Update Takes Windows Live Calendar Beta to the Next Level

Microsoft has released a new update designed to take Windows Live Calendar beta to the next level. The surface changes the impact of the graphical user interface, enabling users not only to modify the color of a specific calendar in their list but also to choose its position. The extra UI options are available by right-clicking on a calendar. Additional modifications impact accessibility and functionality. Microsoft introduced support for the F6 key, but also kicked tabbing up a notch, and delivered closer integration of Windows Live Calendar with Windows Live Hotmail.

"The Windows Live Calendar team has been working hard the last few months on a cool update to the Windows Live Calendar beta. [And]... we're live!" stated a member of the Windows Live Calendar team. "Everyone on our team is fired up about the release and we're looking forward to your feedback. Give Windows Live Calendar beta a try by clicking the calendar tab in your Hotmail account or by going directly here, if you haven't done so already."

The Updated Windows Live Calendar beta is designed to deliver additional focus on the aspects most relevant for its users from birthdays to holidays. Additionally, Microsoft now offers support for iCal Subscriptions. This means that end users are able to subscribe to public .ICS calendars via the service and have items of interest updating continuously in their Windows Live Calendar account. Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc indicated that this release of the company's calendar service does not support URL redirects and that end users would have to subscribe directly to the source of the third-party calendar.

According to the Windows Live Calendar team, "new coolness delivered in this update includes: Birthday Calendars that automatically create events and reminders for your contacts' birthdays. iCal Subscriptions that allow you to show calendars that update automatically from around the web. Holiday Calendars that are automatically added to your account depending on what country you're in. Many more are coming, but in this update, there are holidays for: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Russia, France, the United States, Spain, German and the United Kingdom".