On Nov. 1, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Chief Technology Officer Ray Ozzie unveiled publicly Microsoft's Live.com services strategy. The pair previewed for press and analysts in San Francisco a number of repackaged Windows services, branded Windows Live, and previewed their intentions to roll out a parallel set of Office services next year that they will brand Office Live.
Industry watchers were of mixed opinion about Microsoft's plan. Some questioned whether Microsoft's new offerings would help the Redmond, Wash., software maker better compete with competitors, ranging from Google to Skype.