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Sounds like they're turning Passport, uh I mean Windows Live ID into a internet-wide domain controller. I like it from a convenience standpoint but my guess is that this has the potential to be very embarrassing if a security flaw is exploited. But then again, what could go wrong?

I like this. Very convenient.  

This is just a recoupling of the internet ID system to a Windows login, which was started with Passport and the bundled Windows Messenger for Windows XP.  

They had decoupled portions of that linkup when they deprecated Windows Messenger for Windows Live Messenger though.

I kind of wonder if some of the network communications that went into the OneCare circle stuff for sharing files and printers didn't wind up here.

Microsoft may get into a little antitrust trouble here. To prevent that they should at least announce their intention to open it up beyond Live ID and eventually provide an SDK for linking any online ID to a Windows login.

Ken, nothing can go wrong because of Microsoft's careful attention to security in all aspects of Windows.

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Its a smart move that I believe many Windows users will find benefitial depending on what scenarios Microsoft opens up with this.  I don't see an antitrust issue considering this is an "optional" Windows Live offering.  An OEM doesn't have to install it.  Also, there is nothing here that another ID provider couldn't do if they developed for Windows.  And beyond this, Microsoft seems committed to supporting Open ID and providing a way for Live ID users to login into Open ID sites.

I have several hotmail, live and passport accounts for no good reason but I still use them all so... it would nice if I could integrate them into a unified presence and then hook this to Windows 7.

richard, Windows Live has the concept of Linked IDs (5 max) which you can configure via the Windows Live Account screen.  Now, I haven't tried it for this scenario...but it very well could work.

@USArcher

Thanks. Did not know that but I plan to check it out.

It looks like the thieves at Microsoft are at it again.

Here is the OS X Home icon copied in Windows Mobile 6.5:

www.roughlydrafted.com/.../pasted-graphic-1-11.jpg

And the OS X Activity Monitor's icon too:

www.roughlydrafted.com/.../icon-theft.jpg

This is by no means the first time they have stolen icons from Apple.

They must be under so much pressure to compete against the iPhone, trying to turn around the turkey that is Windows Mobile, that they are resorting to stealing.

Microsoft only ranked 34th most innovative company

www.fastcompany.com/.../list-all

Apple is 4th.

Microsoft says the word "innovation" a lot. They don't do it that much at all. See previous comment about them stealing Apple's icons.

"It looks like the thieves at Microsoft are at it again. "

Oh, wow! You guys are bigger idiots than I gave you credit for.

@shark47: You're telling me you can't see that the home icon is a complete copy and rip-off? If you can't, then you're either blind or just the worst kind of Microsoft apologist and fanboy.

@Robertsjoe

OR alternatively a 3rd party makes these icons for companies like MS and Apple, who specialise in icon development thus allowing MS and Apple to outsource their work instead of having staff developing new icons for every product.... maybe.

No that's impossible MS must have stolen something.

I would love to see who decided Apple was the fourth most innovative company in the world- I can't remember the last major innovation they made. Granted MS doesn't do much in the way of innovating either in their products at least but their research labs make some of the most interesting stuff in the induatry.