Microsoft is definitely in redo and revamp mode as far as its apps go this year. We have had new Windows Live apps, a new look Hotmail and a new MS Office, and now a whole new MSN homepage. While the entire design of the page has been given a thorough once-over, what has caught attention has been the integration of social networks like Twitter and Facebook on the homepage.
From now onwards, when you log in to MSN (http://in.msn.com), you will not only be told how many new mails are there in your Hotmail account, but you can also check out the latest updates in your Facebook and Twitter accounts on the right hand side of the page. All you need to do is provide your username and the next time you log in to the MSN homepage, you will be able to see the latest updates from both accounts. Even better, you will be able to do basic tasks like replying, commenting and tweeting from the MSN homepage itself without having to open any additional app or website. Now, that’s handy.
Honestly speaking, we are not too sold on the look and feel of the newly designed MSN page, but the social networking integration has us grinning from ear to ear. Here’s hoping for more networks being included and users being given the option to see their network updates right on top of the MSN page instead of having to look at a panel on the right!
The past couple of years have seen most of us get addicted to GoogleTalk and its simplicity and convenience (hey, it lets us chat while we mess around with our mails),so addicted that many of us have forgotten the existence of other instant messengers (IMs). Well, the folks at Microsoft seem to wish to shake us right out of our cumulative inertias. They gave us a sneak preview of the forthcoming edition of Windows Live Messenger, and while we are not sure it will drive us away from Google yet, we must admit to being very impressed.
