WinInfo Daily News   |   Windows IT Pro
in

This Blog

Syndication

SuperSite Blog

Live Mesh - Synchronizing Life

Abhinav U. sends along this really neat Live Mesh infomercial that Microsoft made for the service's unveiling last year. I'd never seen it before, and of course because it is essentially a marketing piece, it shows off functionality that we still don't have as well as a sync speed that makes Apple's advertisements look truthful by comparison. Still, it's nicely done and it does show off why P2whatever sync (P2P, P2device, P2web, etc.) is so fracking cool.

Check it out.

Comments

 

Master3 said:

Really?

You've never seen it at all?

It's one of my favorites from MS. Although some of the people look a bit to plastic. (Ken doll in airport)

February 12, 2009 8:35 AM
 

Ocean said:

I didn't like Live Mesh's footprint.  It worked well though.

I use Dropbox, which is an awesomely done service.

lifehacker.com/.../five-best-file-syncing-tools

February 12, 2009 9:01 AM
 

shark47 said:

Nice infomercial, but has me even more confused about Microsoft's online strategy. Live Sync, Live Mesh, Live SkyDrive, and now My Phone.  This is getting way to confusing, MS.

February 12, 2009 9:32 AM
 

planetarian said:

I use Mesh every day. This is also my first time seeing this commercial, but I don't watch TV anyway.

February 12, 2009 10:28 AM
 

clindhartsen said:

Moments like this, advertising like this, makes me wonder what Microsoft has been doing all of these years.

Very very well done, though Shark might have a point. Is Microsoft fractioning off multiple projects to do essentially the same thing, or is this part of the long term process of building Mesh to where it can power the entire system?

February 12, 2009 10:45 AM
 

Rasken said:

Cool vid.   A few inacurracies.

1 - A Macbook user synchronizing stuff to a Zune...  Last I checked, there wasn't a Mac Zune client.

2 - The Zune doesn't wireless sync automatically.  You have to manually tell it do do that by drilling through to Settings -> Wireless(1st option in the menu) -> Sync (3rd option in the menu) -> and then Sync with PC (3rd option).   I use this option daily when I get home to sync up my Zune120 and get fresh podcasts for the next day's commute.

3 - I've never seen that photo screen on an Xbox 360, the Media Center interface, OR in the new Photo Party stuff that came on the NXE.   What's the movie equivalent of a bullshot??

Otherwise it's a very nice Ad..

February 12, 2009 10:56 AM
 

shark47 said:

Damn, my spelling sucks!

"The Zune doesn't wireless sync automatically. "

It does when connected to a power source, actually. It's pretty cool, but it can be annoying too. I want my Zune to sync automatically (Microsofties love to use "automagically") only after it's been idle for 15-20 minutes.

February 12, 2009 11:11 AM
 

j4m3s0n79 said:

Just like the little 4.5 y/o girl on live photo gallery..it made me cry tears of joy....

God bless Microsoft!

February 12, 2009 11:57 AM
 

subzerohitman721 said:

Very impressive. This is the multi-OS integration and syncing path of the future. Hoprefully it will become reality sooner than later.

February 12, 2009 12:21 PM
 

Waethorn said:

"Cool vid.   A few inacurracies."

Is it even RTM?  No?  Then I'd hardly call a promotional video for something that isn't complete "inaccurate".

So Paul, what is your stance on Microsoft's cloud computing platform now?  Previously you were concerned that they would lose relevance.  Still feel that way?

February 12, 2009 1:35 PM
 

Ocean said:

>>Just like the little 4.5 y/o girl on live photo gallery..it made me cry tears of joy....<<

I hope you're using hyperbole.

February 12, 2009 1:51 PM
 

Waethorn said:

I think that Windows Mobile stands as a far more productive platform with cloud services than any other, when you combine Windows Live services with Live Mesh.  Google just doesn't have it yet.  Do Android phones even get free software updates?  I ask, because Chrome was still in beta when the G1 launched meaning production hardware was shipping with beta software.  The iPhone is too consumer-oriented for businesses to care about it too.

February 12, 2009 1:57 PM
 

Waethorn said:

OMG OMG!  Here's a good YouTube vid that came up on the Related vid list.  The title says a lot about the plight of MobileMe.  :D

www.youtube.com/watch

February 12, 2009 2:29 PM
 

boyreinvented said:

That is over design. Do we really need technology to take over our lives that much? I certainly hope not.

February 12, 2009 3:42 PM
 

Interframe said:

Paul just to tell you, this was the first time Windows Mobile 7 was leaked. Around the part when the girl is in her car and receives a message on her phone, you can the Windows Mobile 7 UI. Oops!

February 12, 2009 4:38 PM
 

SandmanX82 said:

@boyreinvented

"That is over design. Do we really need technology to take over our lives that much? I certainly hope not."

Yea, we certainly don't want to be able to do things like sync files between multiple computers...how ridiculous!!!

February 12, 2009 5:49 PM
 

DRWAM said:

That was a nice ad. The MacBook use shows that Live Mesh is for everybody. They should have use it during the Superbowl...you know, when the STEELERS WON !!!!

February 12, 2009 7:05 PM
 

Lindy said:

"I think that Windows Mobile stands as a far more productive platform"

Windows Mobile is the worst cell phone OS EVER.  My work provided Treo 800W needs daily reboots so that I can make phone, calls and sync email/calender with Exchange.  I have every other feature turned off just so I get 12 hours of battery life.

"Comments typed from my Lenovo T-61, corporate provided notebook with Windows XP and whole hard drive encryption...including all of my documents on the hard drive"

February 12, 2009 8:23 PM
 

hamiltonstallings said:

I like how the email says "sent from a Macbook wheel", that way people know you have one.

February 12, 2009 9:18 PM
 

Ocean said:

I can't believe MS is going to open it's own line of stores.

February 12, 2009 10:15 PM
 

Ocean said:

Apple hired a "Gap" executive to kick off its store concept.

MS starts with someone from "Walmart".

I can't wait to hear Paul's take on this in this weeks WW.  Anyone noticed that he's disagreeing more and more with Leo?  Its not bitter, its very subtle...

February 12, 2009 11:41 PM
 

Ocean said:

"I recently spent time with some very senior level Microsoft execs who all seemed to agree that a retailing strategy, with Microsoft branded stores, would be difficult because of all the companies with which Microsoft works....

...Microsoft has always followed Apple's innovation lead.  And now it seems to be trying to do the same with retail.  But this will be an enormous challenge for a company already so late to the retail party."

www.cnbc.com/.../29169460

February 12, 2009 11:48 PM
 

subzerohitman721 said:

@Lindy,

I've have never met a single Windows Mobile owner who actually likes their phone. The complaints range from it crashes daily to that its okay. I've tinkered with a few myself to know they aren't for me. So any criticism of Windows Mobile is well deserved. The WM platform is in serious need of a redesign starting with stability, the user interface, and the easy vs simple debate that Paul highlighted.

@Ocean,

David Porter, the former Wal Mart exec you've spoken for, was also the  head of worldwide product distribution for Dreamworks Animation SKG since 2007. Since even Apple now sells iPhones at Wal Mart, the promotion of a former Wal Mart executive is actually a very good move. Who knows better to sell internationally and locally than Wal Mart. I do not like Wal Mart so much, but considering that Wal Mart is still the world's largest retailer by revenue, world's largest private employer on the planet, you'd be a fool to pass on any of their execs. They know business and efficiency better than anyone.

The Gap Stores aren't doing so hot.  85 stores closed in early 2008 and a total of 800 stores closed in 6 years. Not to mention 2008 losses.

www.cnbc.com/.../14081545

February 13, 2009 4:46 AM
 

shark47 said:

"Apple hired a "Gap" executive to kick off its store concept.

MS starts with someone from "Walmart".

Ahh, so you mean only "cool" companies have smart people?

"I can't wait to hear Paul's take on this in this weeks WW.  Anyone noticed that he's disagreeing more and more with Leo?  Its not bitter, its very subtle..."

No. I haven't noticed it. What I've noticed is that after a period of little activity, your trolling is on the rise again.

February 13, 2009 8:07 AM
Acceptable Use Policy

About pthurrott

Paul Thurrott is the guy behind the SuperSite for Windows. Way behind. :)
Windows IT Pro |  Subscribe |  Register |  FAQ for Windows |  Media Kit |  WinInfo News |  Europe Edition |  About Us |  Contact Us/Customer Service |  Affiliates/Licensing
SQL Server Magazine |  Office & SharePoint Pro |  WinDevPro |  asp.netPRO |  IT Library |  Technology Resource Directory |  ITTV |  IT Job Hound

© 2010 Penton Media, Inc.     Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Reprints and Licensing