Microsoft Introduces Updated Windows Live Services: Leading Web companies work with Microsoft to simplify life online with e-mail, messaging, photo and file sharing, and more.

See the full press release for more details; there’s also a new Windows Live Press Kit.

Microsoft Corp. today announced the next generation of Windows Live, an integrated set of online services that make it easier and more fun for consumers to communicate and share with the people they care about most. The new generation of Windows Live includes updated experiences for photo sharing, e-mail, instant messaging, as well as integration with multiple third-party sites. The release also includes Windows Live Essentials, free downloadable software that enhances consumers’ Windows experience by helping them simplify and enjoy digital content scattered across their PC, phone and on Web sites. For more information about windows live go to http://www.windowslive.com.

p.s. I’m guessing somebody at Google learned about the Windows Live release date a couple weeks ago, and that the recent Gmail + video media blitz timing was not an accident…

Microsoft Introduces Updated Windows Live Services: Leading Web companies work with Microsoft to simplify life online with e-mail, messaging, photo and file sharing, and more.