What’s with the Microsoft and the word “Live”? it’s seems to be every new addition software or gear Big Blue bring out from it’s pocket comes up with a “live”. Example- Microsoft’s Windows Live and Office Live and Xbox live :D.

On Aug. 29, 2006, Microsoft has announced that they will be expending alliance with Verizon to bundle various Windows Live services with subscriptions to Verizon’s DSL and FiOS Internet services. Verizon customers will have the option of a co-branded Verizon/Live.com home page, a Verizon/Live.com search page, and e-mail access through Windows Live Mail. They will also receive a Windows Live Toolbar, a co-branded version of Windows Live Messenger, and Windows Live One-Care. According to Microsoft’s press release this alliance will give user Flexibilities, Safety and Communication power.

This deal enhances a pre-existing partnership that Verizon and Microsoft entered into in early 2002, for bundle MSN 8 with new accounts of Verizon. Most of the MSN products, such as MSN Messenger, have been re-branded as Windows Live services instead. The contract is not restricted: other ISPs can also jump on the Windows Live group. On signing up for a Verizon account, customers are given a list of menu options that allow customization of e-mail, home page, and search engine preferences. If customers make no choice, the default for many of these options is set to Yahoo, based on an earlier agreement between Verizon and the exclamation point-enjoying search engine company. Quite a deflecting option for MSN search engine though. Well Big blue didn’t argue with that.

Questions will this boost up Windows Live’s popularity? So far, reaction too many of the Live services has been mixed—few people I know are rushing to replace Google with Live.com and its slow, if fancy user interface. However, with Vista still on track for its ship date next January (as I mention in my earlier post), much of Windows’ default infrastructure will merge down Live services. Though as my research shows live services reported to be very sluggish at the moment, and as leak out Vista needs very high CPU requirements. So what is big blue’s plan? Do something about those fat loads? Or committing suicide? As we all know Google dedicated full time in software business now, and Mozilla is firing up with Firefiox.