Microsoft will soon add a set of new social networking tools and services to its cloud-based software suite. The Windows Live team announced today that it will launch a number of upgrades to the Live platform. The upgraded platform was described as the company’s “new generation,” and Microsoft emphasized that it features a more unified experience across all the services within Windows Live.

Microsoft is basically introducing new communications and social networking tools and working on a deeper integration between the suite's apps and across third-party sites.

The existing Windows Live users’ home.live.com page will be changed to a profile-based setup where all the apps are connected with a central update feed.

"We're now at the point where we can go beyond siloed communication tools that don't work together -- and start to integrate the best of them," said Windows Live general manger Brian Hall.

The users’ homepage features a Hotmail inbox with Spaces profile and a "What's New" feed which can be linked to the activity on third party sites such as Flickr, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Photobucket, and iLike.

"We're taking a huge step forward in providing an integrated personal communication service," said Hall.

The new updates include an enhanced photo-sharing service and a calendar service which users can consistently view across Microsoft's Hotmail, Windows Live Mail, and Outlook e-mail applications.

Another interesting new feat is Windows Live Essentials which will make the link between users PCs and online content stored on Windows Live. The service will enable users to manage their e-mail and calendars, even when offline.