ReadWriteWeb

Microsoft just announced a major update to its Windows Live Essentials tools for the Windows desktop. The updated applications include the Windows Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Mail and Live Writer. In addition, Microsoft also released a new synchronization client based on the company's experience with Live Mesh, and will allow PC and Mac users to keep their documents, pictures and music in sync across multiple computers. While there are a lot of feature updates to these apps (and the Ribbon now features prominently in these apps), the big story here is that these apps are now more intimately connected to the cloud.

In November, Microsoft released a major update to its Windows Live online services. Today, Microsoft also released the new versions of its Windows Live Essentials desktop tools that accompany the online services. The Windows Live Essentials suite includes updates for Live Mail, Live Messenger, Live Writer, Live Photo Gallery, Live Movie Maker, Live Toolbar, Office Outlook Connector, and Windows Live Family Safety. There are also a two new additions: Windows Live Sync and the Office Live Add-In. Silverlight is now also part of the Live Essentials suite.