Windows also ... Live

Microsoft 's Live brand services will not stop at the browser level, but they will penetrate further into the Windows operating system.

Over the weekend, Microsoft demonstrated software that enables embedded Windows Live ID online authentication services into Windows applications. Windows Live ID is a successor to Microsoft Passport - a type of server service that authenticates usernames and passwords to log into web servers.

Later this year, Microsoft will release a trial version of the SDK for software developers to develop Windows Live ID service functions for Windows applications, Lynn Ayres - Windows development program manager Live ID - said.

Currently, the Windows Live ID online authentication service is only designed to be compatible with Microsoft online applications such as Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger.

With the software suite for developers of the Windows Live ID Client SDK, Microsoft hopes to create a closer integration between online services and Windows "rich client" applications, Ayres said.

For example, a developer can program a Windows application with a button that allows users to purchase items directly on the e-commerce site. The Windows Live ID certificate window will pop up when the Windows application needs to authenticate the user's secure login parameters.

" The SDK software suite makes it easier to develop client-compatible Windows Live ID client applications and support sharing authentication capabilities with various websites through client applications and Rich browser , "Microsoft said.

In addition, Microsoft is currently developing another set of developer applications to connect website operators with Windows Live ID services. This SDK will follow standard procedures like Simple Object Access Protocol .

Hoang Dung