Microsoft had a 'Live'ly Wednesday, releasing beta versions of three different Live products. Product Manager Nick White, on a Vista blog, announced the betas for Windows Live Messenger 8.5, Windows Live Mail, and Windows Live Writer.

Live Messenger 8.5 is probably the product that has changed least from previous versions. White said the beta "largely affects the back-end," but added that it will integrate with Windows Live OneCare Safety Center. Instant messaging programs have been increasingly targeted by virus and spam writers in recent years, so upgrading the safety of Messenger has likely been a priority within Microsoft.

Windows Live Mail is a new e-mail client that takes over from and improves on several other mail clients, namely Outlook Express, Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail desktop.