... or 'what Windows Live 'wave 2' means for Windows Live Messenger'.

Let's face it. So far Windows Live hasn't been a complete success: branding confusion and lack of direction. The next generation (aka Windows Live "wave 2" - it being the next "wave" of products to be released) aims to turn that around and add some structure to the impressive collection of products that make up Windows Live.

This is being done with a "software plus services" (S+S) strategy. The web-based products are the services and the downloadable programs are the software that link in with a variety of the services, creating a more unified and integrated experience. For example, Windows Live Mail is the software where Windows Live Hotmail is the service, and the new Windows Live Folders service will be partly linked with a revamped version of the Windows Live FolderShare program.

But when did this site turn back into the Windows Live newsreel of syndication that it once was back when I had more time? It didn't, so onwards to the Messenger-related info ...

The next version of Windows Live Messenger, 8.5, will be released as part of "wave 2" sometime this summer or autumn (fall), the main change it brings with it being a new interface as we and the beta release have already shown you.

However the build number and UI are not the only changes. As with most Messenger releases the program has been "optimised" as have the sign-in times (which, at least in my case, are much quicker). Also, the installer has been changed to the new "Windows Live suite" installer which is much friendlier to use and installs into a 'Program Files/Windows Live/Messenger' folder. As well as this the new installer allows Messenger to be updated using Microsoft Update, as we have already seen. This means that in the future Messenger will be able to automatically update itself to the latest version and that update downloads will not be so big as the whole setup does not have to be downloaded again.

Windows Live "wave 2" will also bring some less obvious changes to Windows Live Messenger. First of all you will (finally) be able to get an @live email addresses to use as your Messenger account amongst other things. You will also probably start to see @live contacts adding you to their contact lists as they update to new accounts too.

There will be more integration with other Windows Live products too. For example, if you have the Windows Live Mail software installed on your computer then all the links in Messenger that would have previously opened up Windows Live Hotmail in a new browser window will now open up Windows Live Mail instead. There are also going to be added safety features such as integration with Windows Live Family Safety and possibly Windows Live OneCare as well.

Then, as I have already reported speculated, Windows Live Web Messenger is also due for release. It is even more likely now that we will see it as part of "wave 2" as it is surely the "service" component in the Messenger part of the S+S strategy, where Windows Live Messenger is the "software".

It looks like Windows Live is finally coming together and that us Messenger users will be among those to see the benefits. Stay tuned to our RSS feed for all the latest news and views over the summer!