Microsoft aims to turn its Windows Live portal into something more like a social-networking site with features it will add to the next major update of its online services and applications.

Windows Live users will be able to let people they've designated as "friends" see activities they are doing in other Web applications through Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and other Live applications and services, said Chris Jones, corporate vice president of Windows Live at Microsoft.

"We are integrating the notions of social networking, e-mail and instant messaging into a consistent experience," he said.

The capabilities will be similar to the way Facebook allows users to be notified via e-mail or on its Web site about what their friends have been doing in the applications they use on Facebook, a feature called the "news feed."

The changes are due to be released before the end of the year, although some applications, such as Windows Live Hotmail, have already been updated to the next version, Jones said.

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