Tag - Mac
Messenger for Mac 7 released
on Tue 29 Apr 2008 (21:25 GMT)
on Tue 29 Apr 2008 (21:25 GMT)
Messenger for Mac 7, the official Windows Live Messenger client for Macs, has finally been released.
The main improvement is the much-awaited introduction of audio and video chats, although if you're a non-business user of Messenger for Mac you will probably be disappointed. The A/V features require your network to be running Office Communications Server, but chats can be made to people on other networks using OCS and even to Windows users running Office Communicator. Business users also get updates to make Messenger for Mac more like Office Communicator, for example more presence information.
Regular users of Messenger for Mac, who use their Windows Live IDs to sign in, will see no sign of these new features. Instead, the main thing they have to look forward to in the new version is being able to give contacts nicknames and to search through contacts in a way similar to the 'word-wheel' in Windows Live Messenger for PCs. Another new addition is integration of the Mac OS X Bonjour technology.
The audio and video features for non-corporate users seem no closer either:
>> Download Messenger for Mac 7 (official source)
>> Find out more about Messenger for Mac
>> Release announcement at the Office for Mac team blog
>> Find out more about the new A/V features (and the lack of them)
>> Get help for the new version
>> Information about corporate use and deployment
The main improvement is the much-awaited introduction of audio and video chats, although if you're a non-business user of Messenger for Mac you will probably be disappointed. The A/V features require your network to be running Office Communications Server, but chats can be made to people on other networks using OCS and even to Windows users running Office Communicator. Business users also get updates to make Messenger for Mac more like Office Communicator, for example more presence information.
Regular users of Messenger for Mac, who use their Windows Live IDs to sign in, will see no sign of these new features. Instead, the main thing they have to look forward to in the new version is being able to give contacts nicknames and to search through contacts in a way similar to the 'word-wheel' in Windows Live Messenger for PCs. Another new addition is integration of the Mac OS X Bonjour technology.
The audio and video features for non-corporate users seem no closer either:
"We provided a look at our roadmap late last year and we remain on track--delivering A/V support to our corporate users and continuing to work with the Windows Live team to make A/V support available for (consumers)," senior marketing manager Amanda Lefebvre said in a statement.
>> Download Messenger for Mac 7 (official source)
>> Find out more about Messenger for Mac
>> Release announcement at the Office for Mac team blog
>> Find out more about the new A/V features (and the lack of them)
>> Get help for the new version
>> Information about corporate use and deployment
Messenger for Mac 7 makes another appearance
on Tue 29 Jan 2008 (19:45 GMT)
on Tue 29 Jan 2008 (19:45 GMT)
There was been some confusing rumors over MSN Messenger for Mac. Some websites have suggested that the client was being re-branded as something new, containing a fresh re-design and finally adding features such as video conversations. Back in November last year we reported:
Some photos has been circulating around the Internet of the new program on display, which you can view here. All I can say is it looks very cool and I'm looking forward to the official release.
>> View the photos at Flickr
>> View Mac Mojo's post about development
MS will no longer update the MSN Messenger for Mac, but they are going to release a brand new client for Mac OS X that is according to him 'Really, really cool and awesome' but he would not provide any more details due to his NDA.
According to the Mac BU [Business Unit] they've reached a milestone in the development process of Messenger for Mac 7.0 with the recent launch of a private beta with new Audio and Visual capabilities for a select group of enterprise customers using Office Communication Server 2007.
Some photos has been circulating around the Internet of the new program on display, which you can view here. All I can say is it looks very cool and I'm looking forward to the official release.
>> View the photos at Flickr
>> View Mac Mojo's post about development
Confusion over the future of MSN Messenger for Mac
on Sun 11 Nov 2007 (10:34 GMT)
on Sun 11 Nov 2007 (10:34 GMT)
This week has raised confusion about the future of MSN Messenger for Mac. Along with information about Windows Live Messenger 9, rumors suggested that the program would be re-designed for the better:
Microsoft then responded to this well received piece of news. This was summed up by ZDNet:
So MSN Messenger for Mac won't be re-branded, but it will get a lot of new exciting features to attract a wider market.
MS will no longer update the MSN Messenger for Mac, but they are going to release a brand new client for Mac OS X that is according to him 'Really, really cool and awesome' but he would not provide any more details due to his NDA.
Microsoft then responded to this well received piece of news. This was summed up by ZDNet:
As it turns out Office 2008 for Mac will include Messenger for Mac 6.0 [out of] the box [...]
According to the Mac BU [Business Unit] they've reached a milestone in the development process of Messenger for Mac 7.0 with the recent launch of a private beta with new Audio and Visual capabilities for a select group of enterprise customers using Office Communication Server 2007.
According to the Mac BU [Business Unit] they've reached a milestone in the development process of Messenger for Mac 7.0 with the recent launch of a private beta with new Audio and Visual capabilities for a select group of enterprise customers using Office Communication Server 2007.
So MSN Messenger for Mac won't be re-branded, but it will get a lot of new exciting features to attract a wider market.
Messenger for Mac 6.0.3 released
on Wed 22 Aug 2007 (15:31 GMT)
on Wed 22 Aug 2007 (15:31 GMT)
Just a quick post to tell you that Messenger for Mac, the official Microsoft messaging client for Mac, was updated to version 6.0.3 yesterday.
It doesn't seem to be a major update, changes include:
>> Download Messenger for Mac 6.0.3
>> View a screenshot
>> Read ValSpy's review of version 6.0.2

It doesn't seem to be a major update, changes include:
improved performance during file transfers and improvements to Kerberos authentication. It also introduces support for the Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian languages.
>> Download Messenger for Mac 6.0.3
>> View a screenshot
>> Read ValSpy's review of version 6.0.2

Experiencing problems with Messenger for Mac?
on Sat 28 Jul 2007 (17:39 GMT)
on Sat 28 Jul 2007 (17:39 GMT)
I've just been over at mess.be where I read a short piece of rather interesting news. Safari 3.0, Apple's update to its infamous web browser has been a public beta for a couple of months now. What made people turn heads is that Safari was now Windows compatible, a first time for the web browser.
However Mac users who use Safari 3.0 and the Mac version of MSN Messenger have been experiencing problems. Messenger keeps on crashing and it seems to be related to the new Safari. If you are also experiencing difficulties, try downgrading Safari and see if the issue is resolved.
The bug is caused by Microsoft's Messenger clients having a habit of using particular web browsers to use Messenger. You probably notice the Internet Explorer clicks when you open some windows, well that is caused by Messenger rendering pages using Internet Explorer (not your default browser). I find it an annoying issue that MSN/ Windows Live Messenger requires a particular browser to work. If you uninstalled Internet Explorer, you would notice many Windows programs not working. The same also applies to Macs.
However Mac users who use Safari 3.0 and the Mac version of MSN Messenger have been experiencing problems. Messenger keeps on crashing and it seems to be related to the new Safari. If you are also experiencing difficulties, try downgrading Safari and see if the issue is resolved.
The bug is caused by Microsoft's Messenger clients having a habit of using particular web browsers to use Messenger. You probably notice the Internet Explorer clicks when you open some windows, well that is caused by Messenger rendering pages using Internet Explorer (not your default browser). I find it an annoying issue that MSN/ Windows Live Messenger requires a particular browser to work. If you uninstalled Internet Explorer, you would notice many Windows programs not working. The same also applies to Macs.