Microsoft's Windows 7 Beta and Windows Live out soon

He also announced new alliances with Dell, Facebook and Verizon Wireless.

In February, Dell will offer preloaded Windows Live Essentials (a free suite of applications for instant messaging, e-mail and photos that complement Windows Live on the Web) and Live Search on a majority of its new consumer and small-business PCs globally.

In the coming months, Facebook users can choose to share content they post on Facebook, including photos, directly into Windows Live.

Under a new five-year relationship that covers mobile search and advertising, Verizon Wireless subscribers in the U.S. can use Live Search to search for local business and shopping information; access maps and directions; and find ring tones, games, wallpaper and other online mobile products and services.

“I’m thrilled to announce the availability of the Windows 7 beta, which is on track to deliver simplicity and reliability,” Ballmer said.

“Windows 7 and Windows Live are part of an incredible pipeline of consumer technology that is making it easier than ever for people to communicate, share and get more done.”

The beta version of Windows 7, Microsoft’s next-generation PC operating system, can be downloaded by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet customers.

Consumers who want to test-drive the beta will be able to download it today at www.microsoft.com/windows7

Windows Live, a suite of personal communications services and applications, makes it easy for people to communicate, share and keep their online lives in sync and in one place with one login.

At CES, Microsoft demonstrated new features and improvements in Windows 7.

The new Home Group feature makes it easier for consumers to connect multiple home PCs together to share printers and access files, music, photos and videos.

Device Stage has a single interface to manage devices and run common tasks.

New multitouch technology in Windows 7 will enable people with touch-screen monitors to use multiple fingers to interact with their PC screens.

The “Play-to” feature in Windows 7 allows easier streaming of music, video and photos to devices in a home network.

Windows Media Player and Windows Media Centre in Windows 7 have built-in support for more media formats so people can use their PC to play more media content and sync it to a broader range of devices.