Recently I am embraced the Mac. I'm currently writing this post from my new unibody Macbook, using OS X and I'm finding it a really pleasurable and a less frustrating experience. Nevertheless, the current Messenger for Mac, or "Microsoft Messenger" as its program is really called, lacks several of the core features required for the day to day interactions with our contacts. In many ways, it looks better than it performs.

Build 8.0.0.090205 has been circulating around the web, and offers audio and video support. This feature has been long-waited, but in the leaked build, the short-comings of the program make it highly unstable and not worth the download for these highly desired set of features. This is an early build, and a lot of work is still required.

Ever since Macs went Intel based, their potential has become wider. It appears that Microsoft may make Messenger for Mac 8 an Intel only build, a common trend among many pieces of Mac software. The transition period to Intel based Macs should mean the minimal amount of users are affected by this change. This however, is still unconfirmed by Microsoft.

Microsoft Messenger for Mac is shaping up to be a feature packed, highly-polished product. Although nothing can compete with the customization options within Windows Live Messenger for Windows, the program is intentionally designed to be simple; the cooperate mode shows it is not just meant to chat to friends, it is designed to enable productivity. When the complete version is released, expect an in-depth feature on all the individual changes.

View more information and a selection of screenshots
View the Microsoft product page for Messenger for Mac