Despite the recent news on a new private beta of Windows Live Messenger ready to ship out to testers, Microsoft have released a beta of the Wave 3 generation of Windows Live products, including Windows Live Messenger 9. The update includes several updates, as we have already discussed. Below is a list of some notable changes:

• Cleaner icons and softer sounds have replaced the current ones
• The toolbar menu has been removed, and the email button enlarged and placed to the right
• Contacts now have new hover effects
• Display picture containers change colour depending on your and your contacts' status
• A new feature called "What's new" gives updates on alternating contacts at the bottom of your contact list
• A "Change your Scene" feature allows you to change the header background image in the contact list
• There is a layout option within the options menu
• The statuses "Out to lunch", "In a call" and "Be right back" have been removed
• A chat history button has been added to conversations

The update is still incompatible with Messenger Plus! Live, however Patchou has told users: "I'll start working on it today but I can't say yet if I'll release something publicly before the final version is released by Microsoft or not (all of that depends on when they'll actually release a final)."

Personally, this version is the improvement I have wanted for years. A cleaner design, that doesn't really need patching, and highly customisable features, along with a more polished feel, is what Messenger should be. The new sounds and icons seem refreshed and as if they have been created by someone with a good eye for program design. Wave 3 gets the big thumbs up from Messenger Stuff.



Download the new beta version (in your own language)
Get the new beta via Windows Live Installer (Direct link, English version)
View our gallery containing screenshots of the new Windows Live Messenger Wave 3 beta
View more coverage over at LiveSide
View the announcement at the MessengerSays blog