Many of MSN's services were reorganized in 2006 under a new brand name, Windows Live. This move was part of Microsoft's strategy to improve its online offerings using the Windows brand name. The company also overhauled its online software and services due to increasing competition from rivals such as Yahoo! and Google. The new name was introduced one service at a time. Windows Live uses "Web 2.0" technology to offer features and functionality through a web browser that were traditionally only available through a dedicated software program.
Among the services affected by the rebranding were MSN Hotmail (now called Windows Live Hotmail), MSN Messenger (now called Windows Live Messenger), MSN Search (now called Live Search), MSN Virtual Earth (now called Live Search Maps), MSN Spaces (now called Windows Live Spaces), and MSN Alerts (now called Windows Live Alerts) and in the future, MSN Groups will be rebranded as Windows Live Groups. Microsoft has also not established if MSN Direct will remain a part of the MSN family or transition to Windows Live. Since the introduction of Windows Live, some new services have been announced, such as Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner and Windows Live Favorites.
After the launch of Windows Live, the focus of MSN shifted to an online news, entertainment, and common interest content provider through its Internet portal, MSN.com, while Windows Live now provides most of Microsoft's online software and services.
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