... or 'what Windows Live 'wave 2' means for Windows Live Messenger'.
Let's face it. So far Windows Live hasn't been a complete success: branding confusion and lack of direction. The next generation (aka Windows Live "wave 2" - it being the next "wave" of products to be released) aims to turn that around and add some structure to the impressive collection of products that make up Windows Live.
This is being done with a "software plus services" (S+S) strategy. The web-based products are the services and the downloadable programs are the software that link in with a variety of the services, creating a more unified and integrated experience. For example, Windows Live Mail is the software where Windows Live Hotmail is the service, and the new Windows Live Folders service will be partly linked with a revamped version of the Windows Live FolderShare program.
But when did this site turn back into the Windows Live newsreel of syndication that it once was back when I had more time? It didn't, so onwards to the Messenger-related info ...
The next version of Windows Live Messenger, 8.5, will be released as part of "wave 2" sometime this summer or autumn (fall), the main change it brings with it being a new interface as we and the beta release have already shown you.
However the build number and UI are not the only changes. As with most Messenger releases the program has been "optimised" as have the sign-in times (which, at least in my case, are much quicker). Also, the installer has been changed to the new "Windows Live suite" installer which is much friendlier to use and installs into a 'Program Files/Windows Live/Messenger' folder. As well as this the new installer allows Messenger to be updated using Microsoft Update, as we have already seen. This means that in the future Messenger will be able to automatically update itself to the latest version and that update downloads will not be so big as the whole setup does not have to be downloaded again.
Windows Live "wave 2" will also bring some less obvious changes to Windows Live Messenger. First of all you will (finally) be able to get an @live email addresses to use as your Messenger account amongst other things. You will also probably start to see @live contacts adding you to their contact lists as they update to new accounts too.
There will be more integration with other Windows Live products too. For example, if you have the Windows Live Mail software installed on your computer then all the links in Messenger that would have previously opened up Windows Live Hotmail in a new browser window will now open up Windows Live Mail instead. There are also going to be added safety features such as integration with Windows Live Family Safety and possibly Windows Live OneCare as well.
Then, as I have alreadyreported speculated, Windows Live Web Messenger is also due for release. It is even more likely now that we will see it as part of "wave 2" as it is surely the "service" component in the Messenger part of the S+S strategy, where Windows Live Messenger is the "software".
It looks like Windows Live is finally coming together and that us Messenger users will be among those to see the benefits. Stay tuned to our RSS feed for all the latest news and views over the summer!
Let's face it. So far Windows Live hasn't been a complete success: branding confusion and lack of direction. The next generation (aka Windows Live "wave 2" - it being the next "wave" of products to be released) aims to turn that around and add some structure to the impressive collection of products that make up Windows Live.
This is being done with a "software plus services" (S+S) strategy. The web-based products are the services and the downloadable programs are the software that link in with a variety of the services, creating a more unified and integrated experience. For example, Windows Live Mail is the software where Windows Live Hotmail is the service, and the new Windows Live Folders service will be partly linked with a revamped version of the Windows Live FolderShare program.
But when did this site turn back into the Windows Live newsreel of syndication that it once was back when I had more time? It didn't, so onwards to the Messenger-related info ...
The next version of Windows Live Messenger, 8.5, will be released as part of "wave 2" sometime this summer or autumn (fall), the main change it brings with it being a new interface as we and the beta release have already shown you.
However the build number and UI are not the only changes. As with most Messenger releases the program has been "optimised" as have the sign-in times (which, at least in my case, are much quicker). Also, the installer has been changed to the new "Windows Live suite" installer which is much friendlier to use and installs into a 'Program Files/Windows Live/Messenger' folder. As well as this the new installer allows Messenger to be updated using Microsoft Update, as we have already seen. This means that in the future Messenger will be able to automatically update itself to the latest version and that update downloads will not be so big as the whole setup does not have to be downloaded again.
Windows Live "wave 2" will also bring some less obvious changes to Windows Live Messenger. First of all you will (finally) be able to get an @live email addresses to use as your Messenger account amongst other things. You will also probably start to see @live contacts adding you to their contact lists as they update to new accounts too.
There will be more integration with other Windows Live products too. For example, if you have the Windows Live Mail software installed on your computer then all the links in Messenger that would have previously opened up Windows Live Hotmail in a new browser window will now open up Windows Live Mail instead. There are also going to be added safety features such as integration with Windows Live Family Safety and possibly Windows Live OneCare as well.
Then, as I have already
It looks like Windows Live is finally coming together and that us Messenger users will be among those to see the benefits. Stay tuned to our RSS feed for all the latest news and views over the summer!
Ever since Windows Live was announced in November 2005 a new version of Microsoft's official web messenger for MSN/Windows Live Messenger has been expected.
The first release of Windows Live Messenger came around in June 2006 but Windows Live Web Messenger was nowhere to be seen. Now, nearly a year later, there has still been no sign of it and people continue to struggle with the outdated, slow and featureless MSN Web Messenger.
Rival instant messaging networks such as Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk have released their own fresh web messengers fairly recently and even third-parties such as eBuddy have taken advantage of the lack of progress from Microsoft and released very good web messengers that support Windows Live Messenger.
It is known that Windows Live Web Messenger is in development, but how much longer will it be?
Well, earlier this year LiveSide said that Microsoft's "next generation web messenger" will be around "this summer" (whether it will be in the form of a private or public beta or even the final release has yet to be discovered), and earlier this week Microsoft commented that "Changes are coming in a future release" in response to a suggestion to improve MSN Web Messenger on the private Windows Live beta Connect site.
So will Windows Live Web Messenger finally make an appearance this summer? It seems increasingly likely but all we can do is wait and see.
View our list of existing web messengers
The first release of Windows Live Messenger came around in June 2006 but Windows Live Web Messenger was nowhere to be seen. Now, nearly a year later, there has still been no sign of it and people continue to struggle with the outdated, slow and featureless MSN Web Messenger.
Rival instant messaging networks such as Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk have released their own fresh web messengers fairly recently and even third-parties such as eBuddy have taken advantage of the lack of progress from Microsoft and released very good web messengers that support Windows Live Messenger.
It is known that Windows Live Web Messenger is in development, but how much longer will it be?
Well, earlier this year LiveSide said that Microsoft's "next generation web messenger" will be around "this summer" (whether it will be in the form of a private or public beta or even the final release has yet to be discovered), and earlier this week Microsoft commented that "Changes are coming in a future release" in response to a suggestion to improve MSN Web Messenger on the private Windows Live beta Connect site.
So will Windows Live Web Messenger finally make an appearance this summer? It seems increasingly likely but all we can do is wait and see.
View our list of existing web messengersYesterday evening Microsoft released several more of their Windows Live services. Windows Live Search, Windows Live.com and Windows Live Local / Local Search have all lost their beta tags and been let out into the real world.
By Thursday, Windows Live Search will have completely replaced MSN Search and will be the search engine used on both the Windows Live and MSN homepages. A summary of all it's new features is available at the Windows Live Search blog and more information is on it's product page.
Information about the latest release of Live.com can be found on it's blog and info about Live Local on their's.
Windows Live Mobile has also just released an update (although it doesn't appear to be out of beta yet) allowing you to view you Live.com page on your mobile device. More information courtesy of their blog.
Microsoft press release
Windows Live Search and Live.com factsheet
Windows Live Local factsheet
Team blogs:
Live.com
Windows Live Search
Windows Live Local
Windows Live Mobile
By Thursday, Windows Live Search will have completely replaced MSN Search and will be the search engine used on both the Windows Live and MSN homepages. A summary of all it's new features is available at the Windows Live Search blog and more information is on it's product page.
Information about the latest release of Live.com can be found on it's blog and info about Live Local on their's.
Windows Live Mobile has also just released an update (although it doesn't appear to be out of beta yet) allowing you to view you Live.com page on your mobile device. More information courtesy of their blog.
Microsoft press release Windows Live Search and Live.com factsheet Windows Live Local factsheetTeam blogs:
Live.com Windows Live Search Windows Live Local Windows Live MobileWell over its development we have reported changes with Windows Live Spaces, and now it has finally gone Live and is better than ever. The new design, new code and of course new features all speak for themselves and blogging has never been so easy.
Signing up is simple, either click the spaces icon in MSN or Windows Live Messenger, or visit this link. Then add your details and create your space. Windows Live Spaces looks and feels so much more professional than MySpace, now the most popular website in the US. So why not convert to a better blog system today!
Sign up for your Windows Live Space
View the Microsoft press release with the feature changes
Signing up is simple, either click the spaces icon in MSN or Windows Live Messenger, or visit this link. Then add your details and create your space. Windows Live Spaces looks and feels so much more professional than MySpace, now the most popular website in the US. So why not convert to a better blog system today!
Sign up for your Windows Live Space View the Microsoft press release with the feature changesRemeber the Windows Live Search activity for Windows Live Messenger we told you about in April? Well it's finally been updated and now supports image search (and Internet Explorer 7).
The image search not only allows you to search for images and then share the url of an image with your contact but it also lets you drag-and-drop it to be your display picture or conversation window background. Another new feature is a spell checker.
Unfortunately the image searching is currently only available in English (so only in mainly English speaking countries UK, US and Australia). However soon it will offer support for 32 more markets as well as Instant Answers and a user tutorial.
Elsewhere in the Windows Live world, Windows Live Toolbar was officially launched out of beta last night. Available for Internet Explorer only, some of the features it offers include:
Windows Live Gallery is a place where you can go to find any Live.com Gadgets, Windows Live Toolbar buttons, Windows Desktop Search add-ins, Windows Live Messenger activities, bots and add-ins, Windows Live Search macros, and other extensions to personalise Windows Live services.
It gives developers, who can find out how to make these things at Windows Live Dev, a chance to showcase their creations and gives users the opportunity to expand the way they use Windows Live services.
Also, Windows Live Mail has just been upgraded to M7. There hasn't been any announcement from the team yet but it looks like the upgrade was successful on all servers. New features include a new loading screen (along with quicker loading), a new Today page, checkboxes for message selection in the inbox and a photo uploader for mail messages.
Windows Live Search activity update info
Windows Live Search activity initial info
Windows Live Search activity instructions
Windows Live Toolbar site
Windows Live Toolbar features
Download Windows Live Toolbar
Windows Live Gallery
Windows Live Dev
Windows Live Mail M7 improvements list and info
Windows Live Mail
The image search not only allows you to search for images and then share the url of an image with your contact but it also lets you drag-and-drop it to be your display picture or conversation window background. Another new feature is a spell checker.
Unfortunately the image searching is currently only available in English (so only in mainly English speaking countries UK, US and Australia). However soon it will offer support for 32 more markets as well as Instant Answers and a user tutorial.
Elsewhere in the Windows Live world, Windows Live Toolbar was officially launched out of beta last night. Available for Internet Explorer only, some of the features it offers include:
- Search from any Web page
- Guard against Web fraud and viruses
- Turn addresses into maps from any web page
- Collect, Save and Share with Onfolio
Windows Live Gallery is a place where you can go to find any Live.com Gadgets, Windows Live Toolbar buttons, Windows Desktop Search add-ins, Windows Live Messenger activities, bots and add-ins, Windows Live Search macros, and other extensions to personalise Windows Live services.
It gives developers, who can find out how to make these things at Windows Live Dev, a chance to showcase their creations and gives users the opportunity to expand the way they use Windows Live services.
Also, Windows Live Mail has just been upgraded to M7. There hasn't been any announcement from the team yet but it looks like the upgrade was successful on all servers. New features include a new loading screen (along with quicker loading), a new Today page, checkboxes for message selection in the inbox and a photo uploader for mail messages.
Windows Live Search activity update info Windows Live Search activity initial info Windows Live Search activity instructions Windows Live Toolbar site Windows Live Toolbar features Download Windows Live Toolbar Windows Live Gallery Windows Live Dev Windows Live Mail M7 improvements list and info Windows Live MailA bit as been happening to promote Windows Live recently, mainly the launch of Inside Live - an official site by Microsoft.
The site currently features two video interviews, aiming to promote different features of Windows Live services. One interview is with Leah Pearlman, a program manager on the Windows Live Messenger team, and the other with Reeves Little, a program manager on the Windows Live Mail team. They basically talk about different features that are in the different services and why you should use them.
The other main promotion of Windows Live seems to have been around some Microsoft campus'. Niall Kennedy photographed a special mail box which has been made with Windows Live Mail branding on the side on the Redmond campus. View the image on his flickr account. As well as this, futileboy caught some shots of a Windows Live Messenger golf cart. View the images: 1, 2, 3. These promotional pieces both contain the address http://golive which has obviously been set up internally by Microsoft for its workers to find out more about Windows Live.
In other news, live.com has been updated again, with new features including the choice to switch between a search only or personalized (with gadgets) page layout, support for more languages (the list is so big it will go off-screen for most people) and the appearance of the Windows Live ID icon next to the sign in/out text.
Also, some official Connect butterfly testers of Windows Live Messenger have started to receive their gift - a Windows Live Messenger laptop case/bag. TheSteve from the Fanatic Live forums has photographed his, showing the design of it - a picture of the Windows Live Messenger buddies on the colour scheme of white and grey, with a reflective strip and the Windows Live Messenger logo also on it (note: the image has Fanatic Live watermarked on it, this is not on the bag).
Finally, it is thought that tabbed chats will become a feature of Windows Live Messenger very soon. It has already been confirmed that they will come sometime and it is a highly requested feature. But now over at mess.be Inky, who is currently doing an internship at Microsoft with the Windows Live team, has said:It is believed that this feature will be tabbed chats, although this will sadly see an end to one of the much loved features of Messenger Plus! Live, where it is already successfully available. However if it is tabbed chats then will this feature arrive before full Yahoo! Messenger integration?, and will it require more beta test versions of Messenger?
Inside Live
MessengerSays blog post about Leah on Inside Live
MailCall blog post about Reeves on Inside Live
Reeves Little's blog post about being on Inside Live
Niall Kennedy's flickr
Niall Kennedy's photo of the Windows Live Mail mail box
futileboy's flickr
futileboy's photos of the Windows Live Messenger golf buggy/cart: 1, 2, 3
Info about/links to images: Darren Straight
Live.com team blog post about new languages supported
Live.com team blog post about search/personalised page toggle
Live.com
Fanatic Live article about Windows Live Messenger laptop bag
TheSteve's photo of his Windows Live Messenger laptop bag (at Fanatic Live)
Inky's report at mess.be
The site currently features two video interviews, aiming to promote different features of Windows Live services. One interview is with Leah Pearlman, a program manager on the Windows Live Messenger team, and the other with Reeves Little, a program manager on the Windows Live Mail team. They basically talk about different features that are in the different services and why you should use them.
The other main promotion of Windows Live seems to have been around some Microsoft campus'. Niall Kennedy photographed a special mail box which has been made with Windows Live Mail branding on the side on the Redmond campus. View the image on his flickr account. As well as this, futileboy caught some shots of a Windows Live Messenger golf cart. View the images: 1, 2, 3. These promotional pieces both contain the address http://golive which has obviously been set up internally by Microsoft for its workers to find out more about Windows Live.
In other news, live.com has been updated again, with new features including the choice to switch between a search only or personalized (with gadgets) page layout, support for more languages (the list is so big it will go off-screen for most people) and the appearance of the Windows Live ID icon next to the sign in/out text.
Also, some official Connect butterfly testers of Windows Live Messenger have started to receive their gift - a Windows Live Messenger laptop case/bag. TheSteve from the Fanatic Live forums has photographed his, showing the design of it - a picture of the Windows Live Messenger buddies on the colour scheme of white and grey, with a reflective strip and the Windows Live Messenger logo also on it (note: the image has Fanatic Live watermarked on it, this is not on the bag).
Finally, it is thought that tabbed chats will become a feature of Windows Live Messenger very soon. It has already been confirmed that they will come sometime and it is a highly requested feature. But now over at mess.be Inky, who is currently doing an internship at Microsoft with the Windows Live team, has said:
Besides my own top secret work, I can assure you some really cool things are coming your way (and some very soon!), including one of the most requested features for Windows Live Messenger. Of course, being a Microsoft employee now, I can't reveal too much information (or rather barely anything at all!) so you will have to be patient... But it is definitely worth waiting for!
Inside Live MessengerSays blog post about Leah on Inside Live MailCall blog post about Reeves on Inside Live Reeves Little's blog post about being on Inside Live Niall Kennedy's flickr Niall Kennedy's photo of the Windows Live Mail mail box futileboy's flickr futileboy's photos of the Windows Live Messenger golf buggy/cart: 1, 2, 3 Info about/links to images: Darren Straight Live.com team blog post about new languages supported Live.com team blog post about search/personalised page toggle Live.com Fanatic Live article about Windows Live Messenger laptop bag TheSteve's photo of his Windows Live Messenger laptop bag (at Fanatic Live) Inky's report at mess.beMess.be and MSMobiles.com have recently posted more on the Windows Live Mobile software for Windows Mobile 5 that is currently being tested in beta. Both have copies of the software, MSMobiles offer lots of screenshots and a great review whilst mess.be have screenshots and a video.
MSMobiles review and screenshots
Mess.be screenshots
Mess.be video
First screenshots and more info about features
MSMobiles review and screenshots Mess.be screenshots Mess.be video First screenshots and more info about featuresRemember the second UK Windows Live Session back in May when Windows Live Mobile was revealed. Well after recruiting some beta testers for it, it recently began testing and now some screenshots have now emerged.
The beta only works on Windows Mobile 5 (apparently it can't be back ported very well to Windows Mobile 2003 as it would be missing features that Windows Mobile 5 can offer) and features include Windows Live Messenger, Mail, Contacts, Search, Local Search; the ability to add RSS feeds, and several other applications. In addition to sending text information, it can send and receive pictures (and take them using a camera on your smartphone), documents and voice clips.
Pictures can also be sent directly to your Windows Live Space, and nudges can be sent from a PC to a smartphone running it causing the phone to vibrate (you can't send a nudge from the mobile phone though).
Source (translated): legendsky's blog
View screenshots of Windows Live for mobile
The beta only works on Windows Mobile 5 (apparently it can't be back ported very well to Windows Mobile 2003 as it would be missing features that Windows Mobile 5 can offer) and features include Windows Live Messenger, Mail, Contacts, Search, Local Search; the ability to add RSS feeds, and several other applications. In addition to sending text information, it can send and receive pictures (and take them using a camera on your smartphone), documents and voice clips.
Pictures can also be sent directly to your Windows Live Space, and nudges can be sent from a PC to a smartphone running it causing the phone to vibrate (you can't send a nudge from the mobile phone though).
Source (translated): legendsky's blog View screenshots of Windows Live for mobileA new video has appeared on media site 10 showing some demonstrations of new Windows Live Messenger features. The video between Sean from the Windows Live team and interviewer Laura consists of new things like sharing folders, Live Contacts, PC to landline calling, messenger phones and LifeCams being explained.
There is also a big feature on the new Messenger activity Dead Man's Tale, available through a bot. This is a promotion for the next Pirates of the Caribbean film, Dead Man's Chest, and involves mini games and puzzles.
Also, the Windows Live teams are doing some filming for Channel 9 this week. It will apparently be posted in a few weeks and we'll get to hear from four different developers about the technical side of Messenger.
Edit by absorbation:
I found this so funny. The interview is cringe worthy as the interviewer with her big microphone just looks so confused. We don't really learn that much, it sums up the new features and explains them in a personal way. It really is for people that are totally new to Windows Live Messenger.
Interview on The 10 Show
Dead Man's Tale website
Free Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest messenger content
There is also a big feature on the new Messenger activity Dead Man's Tale, available through a bot. This is a promotion for the next Pirates of the Caribbean film, Dead Man's Chest, and involves mini games and puzzles.
Also, the Windows Live teams are doing some filming for Channel 9 this week. It will apparently be posted in a few weeks and we'll get to hear from four different developers about the technical side of Messenger.
Edit by absorbation:
I found this so funny. The interview is cringe worthy as the interviewer with her big microphone just looks so confused. We don't really learn that much, it sums up the new features and explains them in a personal way. It really is for people that are totally new to Windows Live Messenger.
Interview on The 10 Show Dead Man's Tale website Free Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest messenger content
Messenger Stuff