I've been busy labelling a new screenshot of Windows Live Web Messenger to show you all the features that will be available when the service launches into public beta, which should be quite soon. The features include:

• Ability to change your display name, display picture, personal message and status
• Similar look to Windows Live Messenger PC client
• Send emoticons and nudges
• Contact options including groups and word-wheel searching
• No more multiple windows! Multi-chat view to show mini stacked conversations or full window view to show one conversation and then choose others from a list on the right

As we've said before, all signs point to a beta release before the end of this year. An internal dogfood version has been available to Microsoft employees for a while now so they can test Web Messenger and get it ready for the public. However, it is unknown whether Web Messenger will be available separately and integrated into Hotmail, as has been seen in several Hotmail dogfood screenshots.

The feedback page is up, the dogfood entrance site has been updated, and it's actually being recognised by Microsoft, so how much longer until we get to play with the only Windows Live wave 2 product not to have been properly revealed yet?

New screenshot of Windows Live Web Messenger