Beta of Rich Communications and Sharing Tools Is Available Worldwide
A new version of the popular Messenger communications client from Microsoft was made available to the general public. The new Windows Live Messenger beta is available for download at the Windows Live Ideas Web site, http://ideas.live.com.
This latest version remains in beta and has but a few new features to tout, though it did get a facelift to make it more closely resemble the other components of Microsoft’s Live initiative, including Windows Live (beta), Windows Office Live (beta), and Windows Live Local (beta).
The beta of Windows Live Messenger, which is the next generation of MSN Messenger, the most widely used instant messaging service with more than 230 million customers worldwide, includes customer- driven feature enhancements that make it even easier for consumers to stay in touch with the people and information that matter most to them. Windows Live Messenger was previously available for beta testing by invitation only. The beta also makes PC-to-phone calling available in six additional markets.
Windows Live Messenger is changing the way people communicate and stay in touch, said Martin Taylor, corporate vice president of Windows Live and MSN at Microsoft. "With powerful sharing, collaboration and communications tools designed to put the user firmly in control of their communications experience, Windows Live Messenger is a key part of the foundation of Windows Live. The several million consumers already in the managed beta have been giving us great feedback, and we’re excited to make the beta of Windows Live Messenger to users worldwide."
New to this version of Messenger is an icon linking users directly to the Windows Live Call feature, which was available but less accessible in previous versions. Live Call lets users place both domestic and international voice calls using the Verizon Web Calling service over the Internet. The service is available in an additional six countries with this release: Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands (France, Germany, Spain, the U.K., and U.S. service was already available).
The move comes a week after Skype announced its latest software, and as Microsoft overhauls its MSN service.
Much like the many Skype-certified products available for that service, Microsoft has partnered with some hardware manufacturers for products that will work exclusively on their own service, including new cordless phones from Philips and Uniden. Similarly, Microsoft has partnered with Logitech International SA to provide free video calls between Web-cam-equipped Messenger users.
The public beta release of Windows Live Messenger has a fresh look and feel — it is easy to personalize and features a toolbar that provides one-click access to customers’ favorite services. Some features include the following:
Windows Live Call with Verizon Web Calling Service: With one click, users can go directly to the Windows Live Call feature and, through the Verizon Web Calling service, place affordable outbound local voice calls and domestic or international long-distance voice calls over the Internet. Service is already offered to Messenger customers in five countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. As of next week, this calling service will be available in localized languages and currencies for six new markets — Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands — giving more customers more ways to communicate with the people that matter most to them.
Cordless Phones Designed Exclusively for Windows Live Messenger: Beginning today, customers will be able to purchase phones from companies such as Uniden Corp. and Philips that make Windows Live Call available through the handset, which can be used to make landline and Internet phone calls. Consumers can use their cordless phones from anywhere in the home, even while away from the PC.
Windows Live Contacts: Contact information is always current with Windows Live Contacts in Windows Live Messenger; users choose which contacts they want updated automatically. Windows Live Contacts are integrated and accessible across Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail and MSN Spaces.
Unified Contacts: Customers now have the ability to see and search all their contacts with the unified contact list accessible through Windows Live Messenger. Users can have up to 600 contacts, and easily search using the word wheel feature, which automatically sorts the contact list.
Sharing Folders: Simply dragging and dropping files and personal photos of any size to their Windows Live Messenger window; customers can share them with family, friends and colleagues.
Offline Instant Message (IM): Customers can now send an IM to their offline contacts, who will receive the IM the next time they log in.
Video Conversation: The free synchronized audio and video service in Windows Live Messenger, powered by Logitech International SA, allows customers to view and talk to their friends through their PCs in full-screen video with one push of a button using the webcams and broadband Internet connections.
Other new features include more integration, accessibility, and the ability to search for contact information between Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, and MSN Spaces. A “unified” contact list that can hold up to 600 entries makes this possible. You can easily reach these other services from convenient dropdown menus within the Messenger client as well.
Microsoft revealed it will extend its VoIP service to cover 11 countries shortly.