Microsoft has upgraded the Windows Live Calendar Beta service as an integral part of the introduction of the first public development milestone of Windows Live Wave 3. On September 17, the Redmond company started rolling out new Beta builds for the client components of Windows Live Wave 3 including Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) Beta, but also Writer, Mail, Movie Maker, toolbar. At the same time, the Windows Live Calendar team debuted the introduction of the Wave 3 Beta version of their service.

“Our team is about to release another great set of functionality to the Windows Live Calendar Beta service. Once again, the team has listened to feedback from our customers to deliver more cool stuff. We’re excited to get your feedback after we release,” explained a member of the Windows Live Calendar team on September 18.

With Windows Live Wave 3, the Redmond giant has delivered a closer integration between the Windows Live Mail client and the Windows Live Calendar service. In this context, end users are now able to synchronize their calendars to their computers via the new functionality added to Windows Live Mail Wave 3 Beta. The new iteration of the Windows Live Mail desktop client is designed not only to permit the syncing of calendar dates, but also the managing of email and contacts, all tasks being available both in online and in offline mode.

“This update will include the following new functionality: To Dos - now you can manage personal and shared task lists with our new To Do functionality. Design and Usability Enhancements: A lighter weight user interface allows your calendar data shine through. You now have the ability to select from a variety of themes to personalize the look of your calendars. We’ve added a unified header that integrates with the other Windows Live services. And, a fly-out footer now gives you additional vertical space to show your events,” the Windows Live Calendar team representative added.

- Windows Live Writer 14.0.5025.904 Beta (Wave 3) is available for download here.

- Windows Live Photo Gallery 2009 Build 14.0.5026.905 Beta is available for download here.

- Windows Live Family Safety 14.0.5025.0904 Beta is available for download here.

The entire Windows Live Wave 3 Beta suite, including Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta (2009), can be downloaded with the package installer available via this link.