Ready for Windows Live Wave 4?

There have been rumors galore, but now it’s official: Windows Live’s next major release (aka “Wave 4”) is underway. A new post on the Windows Team blog finally gives us some insight into what to expect from the updated web services known collectively as Windows Live. If you missed the news, here are the highlights:

• “Messenger is evolving into a companion for your social networks,” says the post. Oh Facebook, you mean?
• Hotmail changes will “help you quickly see the mail that matters most, and letting you easily sweep away mail that you don’t want. We’ll also make it simpler and easier to share through email.”
• Windows Live Essentials (the downloadable programs for your PC) will “focus on connecting your PC to your social networks, your photo sharing services, your phone, and your other PCs – and help you keep things in sync across all the devices you use.”

If you follow the rumors, you may already know what some of these vaguely described new features may be referring to. If not, it looks like it won’t be much longer until you can try the apps and services for yourself.

According to the post, Wave 4 will be rolling out “shortly” to folks outside Microsoft for additional feedback.