Go take a look at translator.live.com or translate.live.com and you'll notice that the Windows Live Translator is now live! Microsoft hasn't made any official announcement regarding it, but it's there in beta, and it works (most of the time). Alta Vista's Babel Fish Translation was probably one of the first more well-known translation services, but many more have popped up since it first launched.

It looks like Microsoft is pulling a Google and offering their most popular apps in a unified package. Well, it's not exactly like the Google Pack because Microsoft is only including their own homegrown programs, whereas Google also includes some third-party software (such as Norton and Skype).

At a recent Japanese media briefing, the press were able to get a preview of what the new Windows Live Homepage will look like.  It will replace the current Live.com page that users are able to personalize with content like news and weather, as well as gadgets.

Microsoft has finally come forward with information regarding their Windows Live Folder service, as well as announcing a new Windows Live Photo Gallery for both Windows Vista and XP SP2.

Microsoft is refusing to be shown up by Google today with the Street View maps, so they too have launched a big addition to their Virtual Earth 3D mapping solution. Unlike Google Earth, Virtual Earth is not an entirely separate application. It is an addition to the Internet Explorer and Firefox Web browsers which adds 3D viewing capabilities for Windows Live Maps.

Microsoft just announced the release of Windows Live Hotmail this morning. Word got out last week that today was going to be the big day, and it was indeed. Windows Live Hotmail is now available in 36 different languages on the Hotmail website.

There has been some news making its way out that Microsoft will soon be launching what everyone calls the “Live Drive.” The service will more than likely be called Windows Live Folders which is something Microsoft accidentally revealed on their online feedback site.