Windows 8 UI Redesign Matched by Windows Live vNext UI Facelift - SkyDrive Wave 5 Screenshot Leaks

Especially in the context of Chrome OS and Chromebooks, Microsoft can no longer afford to keep Windows vNext anchored on desktops. Instead, the software giant needs to push Windows 8 into the Cloud more than any previous release of the operating system.

This means that there should be an intimate connection between Windows vNext and Windows Live vNext, unofficially dubbed Windows 8 and Windows Live Wave 5.

It appears that the upcoming Windows 8 graphical user interface overhaul will be matched by a UI facelift for Windows Live Wave 5.

A recently leaked Windows Live SkyDrive Wave 5 screenshot from the Microsoft Office Web Apps blog via LiveSide, reveals that the service’s UI has been redesigned in comparison to what customers can see today.

As users can see from the Windows Live SkyDrive Wave 5 screenshot included in this article, the new UI has suffered quite an overhaul, bringing it in line with the redesign already introduced to Windows Live Hotmail Wave 4, for example.

In the end, I think it will be critical for Microsoft to make sure that desktop and Cloud experiences around Windows vNext and Windows Live vNext share the same look and feel.

According to leaked information containing details from the Windows 8 development process, the software giant plans deep integration of Cloud services such as Windows Live Mesh and Windows Live SkyDrive.

Windows 8 will reportedly be designed by default to let users take advantage of Cloud storage, synchronization, sharing, etc. through Windows Live.

It has been all but confirmed that customers will be able to use Windows Live IDs for their Windows 8 accounts, and benefit from enhanced Cloud experiences.

Windows 8’s Connected Accounts are said to enable a set of roaming options, with users taking not only their preferences and settings with them across devices, but also their content, and even applications.