Microsoft has been busy the past two weeks redesigning the LIVE.com interface, and, as many blogs have noted, taking the online product deeper into the 'social networking' world.
While a few of the upgrades have been a little 'touchy', overall the revamped Live.com product exhibits a clean, easy-to-use interface.
While Gmail still remains my primary web-based e-mail, I also maintain a few Live.com accounts and have been checking out the various 'mini' desktop apps that have come along with this latest roll-out.
Late Tuesday, Microsoft posted yet another desktop interface to the Microsoft Download Center and gamers and / or XBox fan may want to check it out. The desktop client known is Games for Windows (Version 2) is now here .... and so far, looks pretty sharp.
Some XP users may be directed to a security patch prior to the client operating correctly. (Installation of the patch was fast an easy).
Those new to the online product will need to choose a new 'gamer' identity.
Log off, log on and you're playing (interestingly via the XBOX online website) online with no visible browser.
This product, if it matures a bit, could very well deliver 'some' xBox-type games directly to your PC. At first blush, that certainly seems to be the intention.
The Games for Windows client Version 2.0 can be found here.