Microsoft has given birth to a beta of the next version of Windows Live – the firm’s online software and services suite.

Wave 3 was rolled out by Redmond yesterday. MS corporate veep Chris Jones told the blogosphere that the latest release included updated versions of Windows Live Mail, Photo Gallery and Writer.

There’s also a new web-based film-making tool, uninspiringly dubbed Windows Live Movie Maker.

Microsoft has also overhauled Live Messenger which has been “almost entirely redesigned”, said Jones.

Windows Live software bundles business and consumer services that are housed on servers and delivered on devices such as phones, car consoles, video game boxes or even those things called computers.

MS limped into the arena behind internet kingpin Google in late 2005 when the firm’s CTO Ray Ozzie first started making noises about Microsoft’s arrival in the “software as a service” market.

A second generation of Windows Live apps belly-flopped onto the web last year.

Jones said: “This wave is part of our ongoing work to build a great set of communication and sharing experiences that help keep your life in sync.”

The latest beta can be downloaded here, and MS has issued the usual advice that plebs should beware and perhaps hold off while the big boys play with it. ®