It seems as if the hype is one step closer to the release of the new Windows Live Essentials suite.
Microsoft has taken the wraps off the preview site for the new version of Essentials and you can check out all the details at
http://www.windowslivepreview.com/essentials/
This is the same site that has already has previews of Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger.
On each of these preview sites you can find out exactly what is new in all the programs through videos and write ups of the new features.
As a reminder the Windows Live Essentials suite is made up of the following products:
Photo Gallery. Windows Live Photo Gallery is the best way to find, edit and share your photos and videos — for free. Whether you want to upload photos to Facebook or save a video slide show to YouTube, you can do it all from the new Photo Gallery.
Movie Maker. Windows Live Movie Maker is the easiest way to make movies. Easily turn photos and videos into great-looking movies to share with family and friends. Whether you’re new to movie making, or you’re a steely-eyed video blogger, you’ll find something to love in the new Windows Live Movie Maker.
Mail. Windows Live Mail enables smart email, calendar and contacts management that seamlessly integrates with your Windows-based PC. Aggregate your accounts in one place, then access them online or off.
Sync. Windows Live Sync makes it easy to access your digital stuff anywhere from any device. With Sync, you have the freedom to use any PC, knowing you’ll always have access to the files or apps that you need.
Writer. Windows Live Writer is a powerful blogging tool that allows you to create and share custom blogs easily. Whether its photos, videos, relevant search results, maps or more, Writer allows you to seamlessly integrate content into your blog and publish it exactly the way you want it to look.
Family Safety. Microsoft knows that keeping kids safe on the family PC is important to parents. That’s why Windows Live Family Safety is designed to enhance Windows Parental Controls to help parents keep their children safer online.
Messenger. The world’s best instant messaging service whether you’re on your PC, the web or your phone now also brings together updates from social networks, your inbox and other sharing websites and lets you determine how they’re prioritized so you never miss an important update.
Also, don’t be fooled by the download button on the preview page. For now it is just a link to the current version of the Essentials programs. I am sure once the new version hits the web it will be all over Twitter and the tech blogs.
So for now do some reading and watching to get an idea of what you can expect. If the stuff that has been leaking out over the last few months is an indicator then this version of the Essentials is going to be very good.