Windows Live Messenger library 2.0 released
Posted by absorbation on Fri 08 Aug 2008 (22:08 GMT) (1612 views)
Some good news for developers here, the web API for Windows Live Messenger has received a significant new build number, building on a healthy and well used set of tools, that have been taken advantage of in many first, and third party programs. Below is a short list of the changes within the update:

  • Sorted contact collections: New OnlineContacts and OfflineContacts collections list contacts in sorted order to make it easier for applications to show sorted contact lists.
  • Contact display picture links: Contact display picture links are now returned but with respect user privacy, there is some special handling required to use them in applications.
  • Customization for the Sign-In Control: color schemes can now be defined for the Sign-In Control.
  • A new URL for loading the library: Library files are now content distributed globally; applications should see improved library load time.
  • Hosted static images for status icons and Messenger logos: GIF and PNG static images for applications to use for displaying user status are now being hosted.
  • URL strings for Messenger resources: The library returns a set of market-specific URLs for applications to display links to required Microsoft pages such as the privacy statement. This is to enable applications to move the Sign-In Control out of view when it is not needed.
  • Sign-In Control returns extended authentication results: The Sign-in Control has been updated to return more detailed information about user authentication results.


This update should give web messengers the option to customise their MSN/ Windows Live Messenger features, or polish and perfect current ones. The new library may also result in some interesting new applications that use Microsoft's popular IM client. However, it is just good to hear some development news about Messenger, as we have hit a bit of a dry spell recently.

Source: Windows Live Messenger development blog via ars technica via Fanatic Live