BusinessWeek reports on an internal memo they acquired where Microsoft senior vice-president David Cole is very optimistic about the success of Windows Live:
"Make no mistake, Windows Live is our strategic bet to change the game and win, while we grow and drive revenue with MSN.com," writes Cole, head of MSN and the Personal Services Group.
Windows Live Mail, the new version of Microsoft's flagship Hotmail e-mail, is hosting 750,000 users, and the company hopes it will host 20 million by June, according to the memo.
Windows Live Local search, customized to the user's geographic location, "is surpassing our competition with industry-leading technology," the memo predicts.
"Over the next 3-6 months, we'll ship more innovative technology into the marketplace than during our entire 10-year history," writes Cole.
"We'll release new services as they become available, upgrade existing services, and launch marketing efforts in global phases," the memo says. One such service is a click-per-call capability that will let users connect to businesses via Web-based calls by clicking on MSN search links.