Here’s a copy of a PressPass email I received today from Microsoft, now I know why Mail Beta was down and why all you could see was a Windows Live Logo.

Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Services
At a briefing today in San Francisco, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates and Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Ray Ozzie previewed two new Internet-based software services – Windows Live and Microsoft Office Live – designed to deliver rich and seamless experiences to individuals and small businesses. Microsoft PressPass has a package of information available for journalists:

Press Release: Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Services
Feature Story: Q&A: New Windows Live Application Moves Real-Estate Workers into Fast Lane
Fact Sheet: Microsoft’s Live Offerings

So what exactly is Windows Live you ask, well here’s what I found over at the Windows Live Site

What is Windows Live?
Windows Live is based on one simple idea: that your online world gets better when everything works simply and effortlessly together. So all the things you care about online – your friends, the latest information, your e-mails, searching the Net – all come together in one place. Windows Live is a brand new Internet experience designed to put you in control. And this is just the beginning-you’ll see many more new products in the coming months.  

What is Windows Live Ideas?
Windows Live Ideas (the page you’re looking at right now) is where you can check out the very latest Windows Live products – so new that they’re not even finished yet. So give them a try and then tell us exactly what you think. And don’t hold back – we need your help to make these products the best they can be.

Live.com beta
This is your own homepage that you can design yourself. Just sign in and get the content you want news, sports, search results, whatever. Plus you can move stuff around at will it’s up to you.
Try now| Learn More | Sign up for e-mail updates

Windows Live Mail beta
This is brand-new webmail, built from scratch. Preview your e-mail without loading a new page each time (like Outlook®), drag and drop messages into folders, and check your e-mail in a flash.
Sign up | Learn more | View blog

Windows Live Messenger beta
Coming soon – Don’t just type to your friends. Now you can actually see and speak to them from your PC, too. You can also share files, voice mail, and all the latest smileys it’s
Learn More | View blog

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