Microsoft’s Live brand services will expand beyond the browser level and penetrate deeper into the Windows operating system.
Last weekend, Microsoft showcased software that allows the embedding of online authentication services, Windows Live ID, into Windows applications. Windows Live ID is a successor to Microsoft Passport, a server authentication service for usernames and passwords to log into web servers.
By the end of this year, Microsoft will launch a beta version of the Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers to create Windows Live ID service functionalities for Windows applications, according to Lynn Ayres, program manager for Windows Live ID development.
Currently, the Windows Live ID online authentication service is designed to be compatible only with Microsoft’s online applications like Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger.
With the Windows Live ID Client SDK, Microsoft hopes to create a closer integration between online services and “rich client” Windows applications, Ayres stated.
For instance, a developer could program a Windows application with a button that allows users to make purchases directly on an e-commerce website. The Windows Live ID authentication window would pop up when the Windows application needs to verify the user’s secure login credentials.
“The SDK simplifies the development of client applications compatible with Windows Live ID and supports the sharing of authentication capabilities across various websites via rich client applications and browsers,” Microsoft announced.
Additionally, Microsoft is developing another set of tools for developers aimed at connecting website operators with the Windows Live ID service. This SDK will adhere to standard procedures such as Simple Object Access Protocol …
Hoàng Dũng
