Tag - Windows-Live-Messenger
Continuing with the vast amount of Windows Live Messenger 9 converge, it appears that the M2 build of Windows Live Messenger 9 – released to a few selected testers recently – has had some screenshots "leaked" (or are they M3 mockups?). LiveSide found the new screenshots and have the scoop on the new features we can see in them:
All in all this news sounds great. It looks like Wave 3 has brought out the best in Windows Live Messenger and taken the program a lot further than past updates have, including taking into consideration a lot of suggestions made in previous betas. There also appear to be other new features hidden away in those screenshots so keep your eyes peeled!
There have, however, been conflicting statements by some M2 testers who claim not to have the same design as the one shown within the screenshots which adds more light to the theory that these are M3 (or final version) mockups. But then again we'll will just have to wait and see.
>> View screenshot 1 of WLM 9 M2
>> View screenshot 2 of WLM 9 M2
- Personalisation – We've talked about the new Wave 3 header before, but what we haven't really talked about is how it can be personalised. With Wave 3, the header allows for theming across Windows Live using "scenes", meaning that the UI you see in Messenger is also the UI you see on the web. As the image on the right shows, users can select their own background image – maybe its time for some LiveSide themed screenshots? This was discussed in one of our first ever interviews with Phil Holden over 2 years ago, so its great to see this finally come to fruition.
- Simplified header - As well as having the new Wave 3 UI, the header at the top of the contact list has also had a redesign, removing a lot of the clutter. Gone are many of the buttons like Windows Live Call, Windows Live Today, Spaces, Mobile messaging etc, leaving just a simplified Hotmail notification icon on the right hand side. This is something we're not so surprised about, we heard a while ago that usage of these extras was very low (think less than 1 percentage of all users).
- Improved Personal Status Message (PSM) – The PSM was first introduced in Messenger v7 along with the music PSM, showing your contacts what you are listening to. Since then not much has changed, despite some intrepid investigators noticing that there are Office and Games icons contained within Messenger for use in this area. With Wave 3 this upgraded PSM allows users to show both their regular status and music updates at the same time.
- The new buddy icons - There's two parts to this. The most obvious point is the removal of the messenger buddy icon to be replaced with a coloured tile [the andyman adds: more similar to those in Microsoft Office Communicator]. Then there’s also the new new online presence indicator, which both colours the tiles and surrounds display pictures in the form of a glow. See the Favorites at the top of the contact list for an example of this. Presumably green is available, orange is away and red is busy - could we also see this implemented at the top of the new Wave 3 header for online services?
- The "What's new feed" - This is my pick for underrated killer feature. Much like the existing Spaces homepage and the Facebook news feed, this displays notifications showing what your contacts are doing. Check out what playlists your Zune friends have made, or what files they’ve added to Skydrive for example. This should drive cross-platform integration in a big way, and turn Windows Live into a truly cohesive web platform. Can you tell I like this? See also the individual contact feed in the conversation window showing new photos are being shared online.
- Tabs – No not the kind you chat through, the kind that links to other online services which Microsoft wishes to promote. These have been moved from the side of the contact list down to the bottom, just above the advertisement, saving screen real estate and making them less intrusive.
We ran through some of the other new features already in our first post about Messenger Wave 3, here’s a quick summary:- Favourite Contacts - these are the contacts you are most interested in. Positioning this special group of contacts at the top gives you at-a-glance information about their status and activities
- Groups – Allowing groups of contacts to communicate with each other through Group IM, this update takes the existing multi-party chat functionality to a new level. Of course it also opens up others scenarios such as sharing files and photos.
- PhotoShare application - This is a new application that allows users to transfer photos to their contacts for viewing. The main part of the conversation window shows a large preview for one of the photos, with the right hand side column showing smaller previews for the upcoming photos
All in all this news sounds great. It looks like Wave 3 has brought out the best in Windows Live Messenger and taken the program a lot further than past updates have, including taking into consideration a lot of suggestions made in previous betas. There also appear to be other new features hidden away in those screenshots so keep your eyes peeled!
There have, however, been conflicting statements by some M2 testers who claim not to have the same design as the one shown within the screenshots which adds more light to the theory that these are M3 (or final version) mockups. But then again we'll will just have to wait and see.
>> View screenshot 1 of WLM 9 M2
>> View screenshot 2 of WLM 9 M2
As discussed earlier this week, invitations have been sent out to apply to beta test Wave 3 in Windows Live products. Below is part of the email Microsoft sent users:
So those of who you received the email, looks like you have a chance of beta testing the new Windows Live Messenger/ other Windows Live products. One thing we noticed during the survey however, was a question saying "Do you have friends that use Messenger and would like to participate in a beta with you so that you can test new features together?". Could this hint at the ability to invite further friends to the product? We doubt it, as Microsoft did claim this was a small scale beta, but one can always speculate.
The Windows Live Team invites you to be an extension of our development process by giving us feedback on our software. You'll be helping us ensure that we deliver a great experience to all Windows Live users.
As a Windows Live beta tester you'll have an opportunity to try out multiple Windows Live products as part of a single beta program! As always, this beta program contains all of the great components you've come to expect from a Windows Live beta, including the ability to file bugs and talk to the product teams in private newsgroups.
Unlike past betas, this is a small-scale beta with a very limited number of open seats. The nomination survey will close as soon as we reach our target number. If you want to participate in this beta, please act quickly. (Early entry doesn't guarantee final approval)
As a Windows Live beta tester you'll have an opportunity to try out multiple Windows Live products as part of a single beta program! As always, this beta program contains all of the great components you've come to expect from a Windows Live beta, including the ability to file bugs and talk to the product teams in private newsgroups.
Unlike past betas, this is a small-scale beta with a very limited number of open seats. The nomination survey will close as soon as we reach our target number. If you want to participate in this beta, please act quickly. (Early entry doesn't guarantee final approval)
So those of who you received the email, looks like you have a chance of beta testing the new Windows Live Messenger/ other Windows Live products. One thing we noticed during the survey however, was a question saying "Do you have friends that use Messenger and would like to participate in a beta with you so that you can test new features together?". Could this hint at the ability to invite further friends to the product? We doubt it, as Microsoft did claim this was a small scale beta, but one can always speculate.
With every major step in a program's development comes a testing phase, some of which become open to a large user base of testers. Ars Technica reports that "many Windows Live applications are expected to be updated with the roll out of Wave 3, while others will be discontinued. Over the weekend, members of the Butterfly community (MSN/Windows Live testers who have been recognized by Microsoft for their hard work) received invites to participate in 'the next Windows Live beta program' with very limited seats open." [emphasis added] Below is an extract from a Microsoft email, concerning Wave 3 testing:
We do not currently know if this also includes Windows Live Messenger 9. A couple of things suggest it would: M2 has been expected for a while now and this is common method of gaining beta testers for the program. However, the leak of the other day may delay or even stop this beta phase of Windows Live Messenger in fear of another beta being leaked (which it always does when a large amount of testers start using it).
>> Source: Ars Technica's One Microsoft Way blog
In a week's time, we will send out mass invitation to previous Windows Live beta testers, which means you probably will receive a second invitation for this beta. When you receive the second e-mail, please ignore it. Do NOT take the nomination survey because by that time you should already be approved in this beta, there is no need to waste your time and ours.
We do not currently know if this also includes Windows Live Messenger 9. A couple of things suggest it would: M2 has been expected for a while now and this is common method of gaining beta testers for the program. However, the leak of the other day may delay or even stop this beta phase of Windows Live Messenger in fear of another beta being leaked (which it always does when a large amount of testers start using it).
>> Source: Ars Technica's One Microsoft Way blog
Just a quick post here to let you know you can patch all the elements you don't like out of the M1 build of Windows Live Messenger 9 leaked a couple of days ago.
The new version is missing some features, due to the dramatic changes Windows Live Messenger 9 has created. It sure feels nice to remove all the advertisements, buttons, etc, you don't want to look at and that bloat up Messenger. Then again you probably get more out of the vast array of skins for Windows Live Messenger 8.5, I know I've already gone back to using Oil Slick.
>> Download A-Patch for Windows Live Messenger 9 M1
The new version is missing some features, due to the dramatic changes Windows Live Messenger 9 has created. It sure feels nice to remove all the advertisements, buttons, etc, you don't want to look at and that bloat up Messenger. Then again you probably get more out of the vast array of skins for Windows Live Messenger 8.5, I know I've already gone back to using Oil Slick.
>> Download A-Patch for Windows Live Messenger 9 M1
There were rumours that M2 of Windows Live Messenger 9 would be released to testers sometime this week. Today a new version of Windows Live Messenger 9 was leaked, showing what was seen in the leaked screenshots of last week. This however, is of the M1 build testers have had for a while, not the new M2 build, which was expected to be out this or even next week. Notable changes include:
The new build does not currently work with Messenger Plus! Live, and will be unlikely to until Windows Live Messenger 9 is officially released.
>> Screenshot: Contact List
>> Screenshot: Conversation Window
>> Screenshot: About Box
- The program now has real Window handlers, at least in Windows Vista
- URLs in personal messages now are clickable
- The groups feature has been updated and become more customisable
- You can now have a favourite contacts list, which appears before other contacts
- There are several glossy effects used within the program
- Display pictures have been moved to the left in conversation windows
- Conservation messages are now in bullet points when sent
- You have now the ability to share photos with contacts
The new build does not currently work with Messenger Plus! Live, and will be unlikely to until Windows Live Messenger 9 is officially released.
>> Screenshot: Contact List
>> Screenshot: Conversation Window
>> Screenshot: About Box
There has been confusion circulating the internet recently over WPF coming to Windows Live Messenger 9. Although this is true, it seems to be heavily misinterpreted. To put it simply, Windows Live Messenger 9 will not have FULL Windows Presentation Foundation by its first official release.
The news that it would do spread quickly, and with good reasons; it was positively received in Yahoo! Messenger for Vista and it would only make sense that Microsoft would mimic their own technology in a piece of software where it appeared natural to do so.
So why won't it be added? Well a source has said that full WPF will only come if it was probably implemented. Adding full WPF would require an entire re-code on the main structure of Messenger, something a piece of software that is so very visually based would take a significant development period to implement. Although full WPF hasn't been ruled out as coming to Windows Live Messenger, in order to make it to a high standard it would require more time and therefore will not come to version 9.
To sum up, full WPF won't be coming to Windows Live Messenger version 9, although some WPF effects will be present. This does not rule out it coming in the future: if anything it seems likely and, although nothing is confirmed, it has been strongly hinted at. If it ever did, it would be implemented well.
The news that it would do spread quickly, and with good reasons; it was positively received in Yahoo! Messenger for Vista and it would only make sense that Microsoft would mimic their own technology in a piece of software where it appeared natural to do so.
So why won't it be added? Well a source has said that full WPF will only come if it was probably implemented. Adding full WPF would require an entire re-code on the main structure of Messenger, something a piece of software that is so very visually based would take a significant development period to implement. Although full WPF hasn't been ruled out as coming to Windows Live Messenger, in order to make it to a high standard it would require more time and therefore will not come to version 9.
To sum up, full WPF won't be coming to Windows Live Messenger version 9, although some WPF effects will be present. This does not rule out it coming in the future: if anything it seems likely and, although nothing is confirmed, it has been strongly hinted at. If it ever did, it would be implemented well.
Some WPF effects will be present but they will not be fully utilised in Messenger, at least not for the next major release.
In addition to the screenshots that are being circulated around the internet showing the upcoming build of Windows Live Messenger 9.0, we have some information to update our readers regarding the overall design of the new version as well as a new feature we're going to be seeing. As we announced a few days ago, Windows Live Messenger 9.0 will use WPF effects. These effects have been confirmed to be limited in Milestone 1 (M1) of the new version, however in the coming months we will see a complete UI using WPF effects.
The screenshots that are being circulated at this time do not show the WPF features because the build being shown is M1. We can confirm that M2 has been released internally and is currently being tested by internal dogfood testers. By the time we enter beta phase (which should be less than a month away), we will see some nifty WPF features. So if you haven't made the transition to Windows Vista, now would be the time to because Messenger is not the only thing we're going to see taking advantage of Vista only technology. Wave 3 of Windows Live is going to be the best wave we've seen, so keep checking back for more information!
Oh, and if you don't have a Microsoft Zune, we'd highly suggest you get one because there's been some awesome new features added to Windows Live Messenger that will make your Zune experience 10x better. One feature we've been told we're going to see in the next build of Windows Live Messenger is complete synchronization with your display status and your Zune Social status.
As always we've more to come. Check back with Messenger Stuff frequently for the latest information on Windows Live Messenger 9.0 and subscribe to our RSS feed for more exclusive news as we get it (or are allowed to publish it!).
The screenshots that are being circulated at this time do not show the WPF features because the build being shown is M1. We can confirm that M2 has been released internally and is currently being tested by internal dogfood testers. By the time we enter beta phase (which should be less than a month away), we will see some nifty WPF features. So if you haven't made the transition to Windows Vista, now would be the time to because Messenger is not the only thing we're going to see taking advantage of Vista only technology. Wave 3 of Windows Live is going to be the best wave we've seen, so keep checking back for more information!
Oh, and if you don't have a Microsoft Zune, we'd highly suggest you get one because there's been some awesome new features added to Windows Live Messenger that will make your Zune experience 10x better. One feature we've been told we're going to see in the next build of Windows Live Messenger is complete synchronization with your display status and your Zune Social status.
As always we've more to come. Check back with Messenger Stuff frequently for the latest information on Windows Live Messenger 9.0 and subscribe to our RSS feed for more exclusive news as we get it (or are allowed to publish it!).
Our post this week gained some extreme attention, which has seen a sharp spike in users. Well the snowball effect seems to be in place as it appears Inky, once a Windows Live intern, has published some exclusive screenshots of the new version of Windows Live Messenger:
Well, it appears Microsoft haven't really integrated the WPF effects very well, if at all, in these leaked screenshots. However I make one thing clear: it will be coming, and we have seen it. I guess now we will have to wait to see how things develop.
Edit: Apparently the screenshots shown are not of the latest build and are believed to be old. Our inside source claims the design has been tweaked and changed again in the latest version, using the WPF effects we talked about this week.
>> Screenshot: Contact list
>> Screenshot: Conversation
>> Screenshot: Sharing photos
>> Screenshot: About box
>> Source: mess.be
Update: See this newer post for more exclusive information regarding the next version of Windows Live Messenger, its new interface, and these leaked screenshots.
In the feature department quite a few things have been added and changed as well. The biggest of which is the new Groups feature (while the old groups are renamed to Categories). A Group is a special chat room to which you can invite your buddies, and which stays on your contact list until you delete it (making it an instant multi-party conversation). The group will appear to be online when a another buddy in the group is also online. With a group, you can share files, photos, chat history, etc. (More coverage on Liveside). Aside from groups, there's another new entry in the contact list: the Favorites category. This category is always shown at the top, and when contacts are added to them their full details are shown in your contact list (similar to the "Show all contact details" feature in v8.5). The favorites category is also shown on older clients, where it will display as a regular category.
Along with the new UI of the conversation window (most noticeably the display pictures appearing at the left side of the conversation), a new feature has also been added: photo sharing. You can add or remove photos from the current session, and browse through them while you and your buddy discuss the currently displayed photo. Although we couldn't try it out in detail yet, this promises to make it much easier to show all those holiday and party photos to your buddies.
The build in question is the first milestone after the questionable BETA period which was closed at the end of June, with a new second milestone already coming up. We can't wait to see what turns up in the next few months... Seeing as the most-requested features haven't been added yet (Messenger Team, we're looking at you!). We will keep you posted.
Along with the new UI of the conversation window (most noticeably the display pictures appearing at the left side of the conversation), a new feature has also been added: photo sharing. You can add or remove photos from the current session, and browse through them while you and your buddy discuss the currently displayed photo. Although we couldn't try it out in detail yet, this promises to make it much easier to show all those holiday and party photos to your buddies.
The build in question is the first milestone after the questionable BETA period which was closed at the end of June, with a new second milestone already coming up. We can't wait to see what turns up in the next few months... Seeing as the most-requested features haven't been added yet (Messenger Team, we're looking at you!). We will keep you posted.
Well, it appears Microsoft haven't really integrated the WPF effects very well, if at all, in these leaked screenshots. However I make one thing clear: it will be coming, and we have seen it. I guess now we will have to wait to see how things develop.
Edit: Apparently the screenshots shown are not of the latest build and are believed to be old. Our inside source claims the design has been tweaked and changed again in the latest version, using the WPF effects we talked about this week.
>> Screenshot: Contact list
>> Screenshot: Conversation
>> Screenshot: Sharing photos
>> Screenshot: About box
>> Source: mess.be
Update: See this newer post for more exclusive information regarding the next version of Windows Live Messenger, its new interface, and these leaked screenshots.
You may have already heard that, along with the rest of Windows Live wave 3, the next version of Windows Live Messenger (version 9.0) will have a new user interface.
After being tipped off by an unaffiliated yet trustworthy source who – naturally – doesn't want to be identified, Messenger Stuff can now reveal that the new interface will use the graphics effects available through WPF [Windows Presentation Foundation] where supported (i.e. with a decent graphics card and .NET 3.0 framework installed).
To put it simply, this finally means that we will see transparency effects in the various windows of the program, possibly similar to those already seen in Yahoo! Messenger for Vista. My bad, looks like I misunderstood the information from my source and everyone else took it out of context! We are led to believe that the actual design has not changed much but the WPF effects have been integrated well in what is bound to be a popular new addition.
In other version 9 news, the Messenger team – as with nearly everyone else inside Microsoft – are still keeping their cards close to their chest. Whilst we do know about the knew interface and that they have moved on from a milestone 1 build to a beta 2 build (seemingly counting this an an alpha build, not beta 1), we do not yet know as much about the new features.
Presumably some, if not all, of the new features will be different to those in the aforementioned alpha version if they are not being publicly disclosed. Also, since all the other Windows Live software and services seem to be getting better integration with one another Messenger might get more integration as well, including with the mysterious "Groups" and "People".
After being tipped off by an unaffiliated yet trustworthy source who – naturally – doesn't want to be identified, Messenger Stuff can now reveal that the new interface will use the graphics effects available through WPF [Windows Presentation Foundation] where supported (i.e. with a decent graphics card and .NET 3.0 framework installed).
In other version 9 news, the Messenger team – as with nearly everyone else inside Microsoft – are still keeping their cards close to their chest. Whilst we do know about the knew interface and that they have moved on from a milestone 1 build to a beta 2 build (seemingly counting this an an alpha build, not beta 1), we do not yet know as much about the new features.
Presumably some, if not all, of the new features will be different to those in the aforementioned alpha version if they are not being publicly disclosed. Also, since all the other Windows Live software and services seem to be getting better integration with one another Messenger might get more integration as well, including with the mysterious "Groups" and "People".
The Windows Live Messenger 9 beta program closed this week and looking back over the whole experience brought this question back to my mind: was this beta program public dogfood? All signs point to a big "yes" ... [long post alert!]
The actual beta program was designed to gather feedback on the totally new features (animated display pictures, signature sounds, multiple points of presence, etc) and suggestions about what people want from the new version. Releasing a build like they did at the early stage they were at in the development cycle meant that they could get good user input and feedback and actually have time to implement changes and improvements to the software.
This is unlike most of the betas we have been seeing recently (e.g. Windows Live wave 2 beta) where the changes to the software are already mapped out and beta testing only appears to be to check that it doesn't crash on "real-world" PCs and that there are no major bugs. This beta seemed to show a real shift in the way Messenger is developed, which could be attributed to the Sinofsky effect.
Microsoft need to improve their Messenger client to stay on top of the game and what better way of attracting new users (and persuading current ones to keep using it) that including new features that people actually want and not just their own ideas. Despite lots of criticism of the way this Messenger beta was handled, we are being led to believe that big changes have been happening to the software behind the scenes during all this time of unusual inactivity and silence from the development team.
They don't want these major changes and additions to the software leaked to the public and hence weren't too bothered when the things that the public knew about anyway were leaked through news and the leaking of the beta software itself. The leaking of the beta (which could easily have been prevented by Microsoft but surprisingly wasn't) also meant that they could see how the servers coped with the new features - all of which are fairly server intensive - which is one of the purposes of dogfood releases.
The closure of the beta program seems like a logical step at the moment as, with no new version since late November last year, there is nothing really left to test. Not much is known about the next beta version so, as always, everything is left to be seen in the next few months when it is released into the wild, readying itself for a final release with the rest of the Windows Live wave 3 suite in late 2008 (or early 2009).
Want some wildly guessed tips for the new version anyway? Look out for a possible new UI, changes to audio and video chats (including multi-person functionality), Windows Live Groups integration, "Echoes" integration, and Office/Office Live (Workspace) integration (and/or even Live Mesh integration).
Please note: the usual standard blogging disclaimer applies; the views expressed here are the views of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of their associated employers, companies or organisations.
Thanks to LiveSide for the image and plethora of links.
The actual beta program was designed to gather feedback on the totally new features (animated display pictures, signature sounds, multiple points of presence, etc) and suggestions about what people want from the new version. Releasing a build like they did at the early stage they were at in the development cycle meant that they could get good user input and feedback and actually have time to implement changes and improvements to the software.
This is unlike most of the betas we have been seeing recently (e.g. Windows Live wave 2 beta) where the changes to the software are already mapped out and beta testing only appears to be to check that it doesn't crash on "real-world" PCs and that there are no major bugs. This beta seemed to show a real shift in the way Messenger is developed, which could be attributed to the Sinofsky effect.
Microsoft need to improve their Messenger client to stay on top of the game and what better way of attracting new users (and persuading current ones to keep using it) that including new features that people actually want and not just their own ideas. Despite lots of criticism of the way this Messenger beta was handled, we are being led to believe that big changes have been happening to the software behind the scenes during all this time of unusual inactivity and silence from the development team.
They don't want these major changes and additions to the software leaked to the public and hence weren't too bothered when the things that the public knew about anyway were leaked through news and the leaking of the beta software itself. The leaking of the beta (which could easily have been prevented by Microsoft but surprisingly wasn't) also meant that they could see how the servers coped with the new features - all of which are fairly server intensive - which is one of the purposes of dogfood releases.
The closure of the beta program seems like a logical step at the moment as, with no new version since late November last year, there is nothing really left to test. Not much is known about the next beta version so, as always, everything is left to be seen in the next few months when it is released into the wild, readying itself for a final release with the rest of the Windows Live wave 3 suite in late 2008 (or early 2009).
Want some wildly guessed tips for the new version anyway? Look out for a possible new UI, changes to audio and video chats (including multi-person functionality), Windows Live Groups integration, "Echoes" integration, and Office/Office Live (Workspace) integration (and/or even Live Mesh integration).
Please note: the usual standard blogging disclaimer applies; the views expressed here are the views of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of their associated employers, companies or organisations.
Thanks to LiveSide for the image and plethora of links.
In case some of you missed Mix 08, there is now an official Windows Live Messenger Developer blog. For all of the API monkeys out there, this new blog is going to be the source of the new API releases for Windows Live Messenger. Here's a short message from the lead software developer, Steve Gordon:
View: The Official Windows Live Messenger Developer Blog
In short, our team is focused on delivering APIs that enable all developers to build rich presence, IM and contacts experiences anywhere on the web that will delight users. We'll do our best to ensure that our APIs are simple to consume and provide you with the right functionality to build whatever you might dream up. To date, we've released an IM Control and Presence API that enables your users to embed their presence and a conversation window into your site. More...
View: The Official Windows Live Messenger Developer Blog
So the first Windows Live Messenger 9.0 beta has finally expanded past just butterflies and MVPs to some specially selected testers of previous versions.
There are apparently about 5000 people officially (on Microsoft Connect) testing version 9.0.1407.1107, described by Microsoft as an alpha version and dubbed in the About window as 'Version 2009'. In the welcoming email to testers the Messenger team said:
Here at Messenger Stuff we are 100% against leaks and don't want to jeopardize the beta in any way. For this reason we will not be hosting or linking to any of the leaked setup files. However, we understand that many of you will like to know the changes, so I'm quoting a small changelog from mess.be:
The current version of Messenger Plus! Live (4.23) is "incompatible" with the new beta but Patchou has already said that the latest version of Messenger Plus! Live (version 4.50), due for release in the first week of December, will be compatible. A version of A-Patch has already been made for the new beta.
>> View screenshots in our gallery
There are apparently about 5000 people officially (on Microsoft Connect) testing version 9.0.1407.1107, described by Microsoft as an alpha version and dubbed in the About window as 'Version 2009'. In the welcoming email to testers the Messenger team said:
Please note that this is a private beta for a very small audience only - Windows Live Messenger 9.0 isn't ready for wide distribution yet. By entering the beta, you're agreeing to use the client and send us feedback, and to not share it with anyone else. Doing so is against the Terms of Use. If the build gets out too widely and starts causing problems on the service we may have to shut it down. We don't want to do that and we know you don't want that to happen, so please keep it to yourself.
Here at Messenger Stuff we are 100% against leaks and don't want to jeopardize the beta in any way. For this reason we will not be hosting or linking to any of the leaked setup files. However, we understand that many of you will like to know the changes, so I'm quoting a small changelog from mess.be:
- Sign-in and messaging in multiple locations - You asked for it, now you have it! You can now sign into Messenger from more than one computer at a time, up to four at once. Simply sign into Messenger from one computer, install Messenger on another computer and sign in using the same account. (Only works if all computers are running Messenger 9.0 Beta. Currently enabled only for users whose Windows Live ID country is US or Canada.)
- Signature sounds – Pick your own personal sound that your contacts will hear when you sign into Messenger (only works if you and your contacts have Messenger 9.0 Beta).
- Per contact sounds - Pick unique sounds for each of your contacts. You will be able to tell from across the room who is sending you a message.
- SPIM Reporting - If users send you unsolicited messages or invitations that you consider spam, you can block them and report them as spammers. If you report a user as a spammer, the messenger service will collect this data and put appropriate restrictions on the spammer accounts. All reports of spammers are kept confidential.
- Animated Display Pictures – Show your moves! Messenger now supports animated .gif files as display pictures.
- Link in Personal Status Message – URLs in Personal Status Messages are hot and clickable in the Messenger contact list.
- Behind the Scenes Changes – Architectural changes that modified how things work but shouldn't have changed how things look
- Changes to sign-in, connectivity, presence, sending text IM’s, voice & video featuresWindows Live Contacts Server – wlcomm.exe runs in the background to keep your contacts’ information up-to-date and helps Messenger sign you in faster
The current version of Messenger Plus! Live (4.23) is "incompatible" with the new beta but Patchou has already said that the latest version of Messenger Plus! Live (version 4.50), due for release in the first week of December, will be compatible. A version of A-Patch has already been made for the new beta.
>> View screenshots in our gallery
For everyone who is celebrating Thanksgiving, we at Messenger Stuff would like to wish you a safe and tummy filled holiday!
A few days ago invitations to the Windows Live Messenger 9.0 BETA were sent to ~1000 testers. At this point we're all under NDA, so no information or screenshots can be made available. The public beta should be starting soon so keep your eyes on your inbox because it's first come first serve. As soon as the word is given, we're going to feature a full review of the beta as well as some possible invites for our readers! So, keep checking back for updates!
A few days ago invitations to the Windows Live Messenger 9.0 BETA were sent to ~1000 testers. At this point we're all under NDA, so no information or screenshots can be made available. The public beta should be starting soon so keep your eyes on your inbox because it's first come first serve. As soon as the word is given, we're going to feature a full review of the beta as well as some possible invites for our readers! So, keep checking back for updates!
As part of Windows Live Wave 2 there are a huge amount of Windows Live beta products being released this week. For the first time we have seen in years Microsoft actually set a release date, scheduled for the 7th of November for Windows Live Messenger. However, mess.be have managed to get their hands on the build a day early, marking the new version of Windows Live Messenger 2008 (build 8.5.1302.1018).
So what are the changes? Well, err, hum, ahhh, I don't know. Bug fixes seem to be part of the update and with no word on the development blog I'm confused if this release is actually different. I'm finding a lot of issues still present (does anyone find the sounds are way too loud?) and the design has not been perfected yet.
I'm going to be harsh here, but this is the worse release of Messenger I have had experience of. No new features, more bloat and a general lack of improvement all add up to a poor release. The installer also has issues (I didn't click agree or navigate anything). Who is the project manager?
Messenger Plus! Live works perfectly with the new build but I'm not sure current 8.5 skins will work (some may, some may not, I will confirm later).
>> View screenshots of the update
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018
>> Download A-Patch for the new build
>> Source: mess.be
So what are the changes? Well, err, hum, ahhh, I don't know. Bug fixes seem to be part of the update and with no word on the development blog I'm confused if this release is actually different. I'm finding a lot of issues still present (does anyone find the sounds are way too loud?) and the design has not been perfected yet.
I'm going to be harsh here, but this is the worse release of Messenger I have had experience of. No new features, more bloat and a general lack of improvement all add up to a poor release. The installer also has issues (I didn't click agree or navigate anything). Who is the project manager?
Messenger Plus! Live works perfectly with the new build but I'm not sure current 8.5 skins will work (some may, some may not, I will confirm later).
>> View screenshots of the update
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018
>> Download A-Patch for the new build
>> Source: mess.be
There has been a lot of activity around the Messenger world in the past week regarding Windows Live Messenger 9.0. Internal builds are ready and are indeed being passed around to the internal beta team. Included in this alpha version of WLM 9.0, are new API components. We've been told that there is a new UI that millions of users requested when Windows Live Messenger 8.0 was released worldwide.
This new API includes some very neat Vista sidebar gadgets, such as a contact and their status. Clicking on the docked contact would allow you to open a chat, drag text, drag-and-drop files, images, and music automatically. A Messenger Lite version with no more than 600 lines of code but includes many features that Windows Live Messenger 8.0 has.
A release date has not been announced, but thanks to Paul we've been told that Windows Live Messenger 9.0 should reach managed beta phase by early December to late December.
Check back for updates and more exclusive information!
This new API includes some very neat Vista sidebar gadgets, such as a contact and their status. Clicking on the docked contact would allow you to open a chat, drag text, drag-and-drop files, images, and music automatically. A Messenger Lite version with no more than 600 lines of code but includes many features that Windows Live Messenger 8.0 has.
A release date has not been announced, but thanks to Paul we've been told that Windows Live Messenger 9.0 should reach managed beta phase by early December to late December.
Check back for updates and more exclusive information!
For most users, Windows Live Messenger is an excellent piece of software, serving a common purpose: communicating. It gets a bit buggy a few times, blocks your connections for an unknown reason, decides to lose a few message here and there, but still makes you very happy when it actually does work, which is almost always lately.
Now I certainly do not want my first post to show a biased side of me (I am a proud user of Windows Live Messenger, and have been for as long as I can remember using a computer). Yet, anyone who's ever looked around at other IM software, such as Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, GAIM or Skype (well, it does have a chat feature) know that the software has something that is somehow wrong.
Some blame the new Installer (which I do believe will win the Grammy for 'worst setup process' of the year), other mention the software being bloated with useless features (I can't say I don't agree) and several others hold the buggy code responsible for it (people do believe that it's what's inside that counts).
My point of view is a bit different, I do believe everything mentioned above does help the software being way less desirable (don't you kids go thinking dirty now), but something else 'bugs' me (yes, I see the irony of the chosen words right there).
I think it all has to do with the features which are wrongly integrated in the software. Don't get me wrong, a lot of them have a good purpose (at least to me) but they seem to have been thrown in there in such a rush, that no planning, analysis or just common thinking efforts were used to develop the ideas.
Take for example the chat logging feature, which has been there for as long as I can remember (I might not be that old, but that still means a several number of years). To this day, chat logging is still put up in the simplest way, allowing no emoticon saving, no encryption possible, no management what's so ever of the logging and barely a color/font reproduction. I'd also mention the design of the chat log page to be simply unpleasant, but it's not that important to me (again, it's what's inside that counts).
Exporting/Importing a list of contacts also joins my list of disappointingly coded features; the idea is brilliant but actually letting us select who we want to be in the new list would've been way better. Allowing people to create lists of contacts for work, social events and being able to distribute it without the hassle of opening the file with notepad and editing it manually would be something that I'd consider essential in such a feature.
The 'add nickname' feature is also poorly implemented, although it does what you want it to do hence change the user's original nickname to one you chose, there is no way to know (unless you right click and look manually at the e-mail) which contact is who (something that could be useful when having a friend with two e-mail accounts, or just two friends sharing the same name).
Another instance of this situation could is the contact's details as it's called. The idea of keeping personal information private or not, depending of who sees it is very well thought, but it gets to be such a hassle to give permission to each of your contacts who decided wanted your phone number. Not to mention that the Space to Messenger update is most of the time not only late, but very buggy. Creating some kind of business card which you could send to the contacts you want would be perfect, and easier to manage.
A lot of other features and options could be mentioned, making this Windows Live Messenger’s biggest problem (at least by me): not fixing/developing what is present in the software, yet keeping on implementing other new features.
Now I should probably apologize for not only forgetting to introduce myself earlier, but also for putting you to sleep during this essay. My name's albert, and I’m a new msgstuff poster, and I’ll be looking forward to your comments.
Till the next news, see you at the forums.
Now I certainly do not want my first post to show a biased side of me (I am a proud user of Windows Live Messenger, and have been for as long as I can remember using a computer). Yet, anyone who's ever looked around at other IM software, such as Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, GAIM or Skype (well, it does have a chat feature) know that the software has something that is somehow wrong.
Some blame the new Installer (which I do believe will win the Grammy for 'worst setup process' of the year), other mention the software being bloated with useless features (I can't say I don't agree) and several others hold the buggy code responsible for it (people do believe that it's what's inside that counts).
My point of view is a bit different, I do believe everything mentioned above does help the software being way less desirable (don't you kids go thinking dirty now), but something else 'bugs' me (yes, I see the irony of the chosen words right there).
I think it all has to do with the features which are wrongly integrated in the software. Don't get me wrong, a lot of them have a good purpose (at least to me) but they seem to have been thrown in there in such a rush, that no planning, analysis or just common thinking efforts were used to develop the ideas.
Take for example the chat logging feature, which has been there for as long as I can remember (I might not be that old, but that still means a several number of years). To this day, chat logging is still put up in the simplest way, allowing no emoticon saving, no encryption possible, no management what's so ever of the logging and barely a color/font reproduction. I'd also mention the design of the chat log page to be simply unpleasant, but it's not that important to me (again, it's what's inside that counts).
Exporting/Importing a list of contacts also joins my list of disappointingly coded features; the idea is brilliant but actually letting us select who we want to be in the new list would've been way better. Allowing people to create lists of contacts for work, social events and being able to distribute it without the hassle of opening the file with notepad and editing it manually would be something that I'd consider essential in such a feature.
The 'add nickname' feature is also poorly implemented, although it does what you want it to do hence change the user's original nickname to one you chose, there is no way to know (unless you right click and look manually at the e-mail) which contact is who (something that could be useful when having a friend with two e-mail accounts, or just two friends sharing the same name).
Another instance of this situation could is the contact's details as it's called. The idea of keeping personal information private or not, depending of who sees it is very well thought, but it gets to be such a hassle to give permission to each of your contacts who decided wanted your phone number. Not to mention that the Space to Messenger update is most of the time not only late, but very buggy. Creating some kind of business card which you could send to the contacts you want would be perfect, and easier to manage.
A lot of other features and options could be mentioned, making this Windows Live Messenger’s biggest problem (at least by me): not fixing/developing what is present in the software, yet keeping on implementing other new features.
Now I should probably apologize for not only forgetting to introduce myself earlier, but also for putting you to sleep during this essay. My name's albert, and I’m a new msgstuff poster, and I’ll be looking forward to your comments.
Till the next news, see you at the forums.
Looks like this piece of news is a few days old, but nevertheless I'll post it anyway. The new Windows Live Messenger 8.5 beta build released last week, which was believed to contain minor bug fixes and tempt Messenger users into using the new Windows Live Installer actually has significant improvements to video calling:
I want small improvements like this to be applied all over Windows Live Messenger. You all must have a pet hate feature that you find horrible to use (adding emoticons or sending files to a contact for example). I've also noticed the Messenger team are blogging a lot more and there appears to be some new faces.
>> Source: MessengerSays blog
My name is Aaron, and I'm a PM for the Messenger Voice, Video and Sounds team. We recently released an update to our earlier 8.5 Beta (which Jason pointed out earlier) that has many improvements to video call, especially on Vista. If you've occasionally run into audio jitter or noise in a Video Call, our latest version should help. We also improved echo support and a small issue with the volume sliders.
I want small improvements like this to be applied all over Windows Live Messenger. You all must have a pet hate feature that you find horrible to use (adding emoticons or sending files to a contact for example). I've also noticed the Messenger team are blogging a lot more and there appears to be some new faces.
>> Source: MessengerSays blog
In follow up to yesterday's news, Windows Live Installer has been released and comes with the installation of Windows Live Messenger 8.5 beta 2 (build 8.5.1288).
So what's new? Well nothing really noticeable, just bug fixes according to the offical Messenger blog. Nevertheless, the build is just really to attract users to the new installer as there is no separate download at the moment, unless you download the files below. Here are some facts about the update:
Personally, beta is still bloated and annoying to use for me. All my settings have been modified and I'm finding more and more annoying little bugs. If this is what the finished product will be I'm sticking with 8.1. I'm sure these will be addressed by the final release though.
>> View our pictures of Windows Live Installer
>> Download Windows Live Suite Installer
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (English) (Mirror)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (Spanish)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (Dutch)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (Arabic)
So what's new? Well nothing really noticeable, just bug fixes according to the offical Messenger blog. Nevertheless, the build is just really to attract users to the new installer as there is no separate download at the moment, unless you download the files below. Here are some facts about the update:
- Windows Live Installer has come under very heavy criticism, all comments tend to be negative, I believe a lot of this comes down to the speed and ease of use of the program.
- It is not compatible with x64 editions of Windows. Unless you try this hack.
- A-Patch and Mess Patch have been updated to work with the new Windows Live Messenger beta.
- Messenger Plus! Live is fully compatible with the new build according to creator Patchou.
Personally, beta is still bloated and annoying to use for me. All my settings have been modified and I'm finding more and more annoying little bugs. If this is what the finished product will be I'm sticking with 8.1. I'm sure these will be addressed by the final release though.
>> View our pictures of Windows Live Installer
>> Download Windows Live Suite Installer
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (English) (Mirror)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (Spanish)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (Dutch)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288 (Arabic)