Sources: Several Windows Live Projects Halted
Microsoft's Windows Live desktop search project has been shelved "indefinitely," although not much reasoning has been given as to the reason for its demise.
Windows Live enthusiast blog LiveSide.net reported Thursday that the project, as well as several others, have been set aside as a result of a recent unannounced reorganization of the Windows Live and MSN divisions.
The shuffling, according to LiveSide, is focused on bringing consistency and focus to a division that seemed to be producing new services too quickly while not focusing on core services already available. Middle management hurdles were removed, and the number of subdivisions reduced from eight to six.
Windows and Windows Live vice president Steve Sinofsky, who took over the division from the retiring Jim Allchin, is said to have ordered the changes. Many regard Sinofsky for his tough management style, sorely needed for a division that had become increasingly unreliable under Allchin's leadership.
Some supporters of the company's Live platform were disappointed with the cuts, which also included The Live Drive project and a effort to integrate Windows Live services with Windows Media Center.
"While thankfully someone has seen sense to stop churning out Live-branded products everywhere we look, these non-core products are the ones that can differentiate Windows Live from Google and Yahoo," LiveSide's Chris Overd lamented.
A request for comment from Microsoft had not been returned as of press time.