After several months of testing, Microsoft has officially taken the beta moniker off the next generation of its Windows Live suite of software and online services for e-mail, instant messaging, blogging and sharing photos.
Although the applications aren't much different from test versions previously available, the Windows Live suite is part of the company's effort to better integrate its highly profitable Windows operating system with its ad-supported online services. It's also worth noting that the suite isn't exclusively tied to Windows Live online services. In fact, one of the claimed key benefits is its ability to connect with competing third-party sites and services such as Flickr, Gmail, and others.
In addition, Microsoft is finally putting their email service in-line with the rest of the Windows Live Suite by officially opening registration for the much anticipated and well overdue @live.com email addresses, which you can get here.