The public beta of Windows Live Essentials Wave 4, which includes Windows Live Messenger was updated this evening, addressing several bugs while adding new features to the previous build.

Most significantly Messenger now includes full Facebook intergration, allowing you and your Facebook friends to talk between clients, a feature heavily requested and even implemented by third party developers:



According to the Inside Windows Live blog:

• Messenger is quicker at loading information, signing in and uses 30% less CPU for video messaging
• Facebook intergration has been further implemented, starting today in the US, UK, France, Brazil, Germany, and Russia

More information soon.

Windows Live Messenger is a GUI centric application with much of its unique design breaking away from standard Windows API interfaces. The Messenger development team, to all their credit, have successfully implemented their own, image rich and unique approach to desktop interfaces. Although nothing extraordinary today, it was far more revolutionary several years ago. As revolution turned to evolution, so did Messenger's style. Never have I seen so many changes to a piece of software in such a short timeframe. So below is a screenshot timeline of MSN/ Windows Live Messenger GUI over the past five years (the years of which, I have personally witnessed):


Screenshot timeline: Sign-in Window


Screenshot timeline: Contact List


Screenshot timeline: Conservation Windows

A new build of Microsoft's Messenger for Mac has revealed an updated GUI more in-line with the current range of Windows Live products.

Bundled as part of Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac's new beta, the latest build released to official testers has several bug fixes and sports the Windows Live color scheme while maintaining its OS X style interface, as the screenshots reveal:


The new design is now closer to its Windows equivalent

We at Messenger Stuff could not sign into the build due to technical difficulties, but those of you wishing to download the latest build can do so over at Wikikou.

Source: Wikikou: Mac Messenger 8 BETA 5 with Mac Office 2011