The beta has now started, all accepted connect testers for the program can now download build "0064" of Windows Live Messenger 8.1 from Microsoft's beta website, Connect.
JCXP.net is reporting that the build aims to give users better roaming support, such as display pictures being stored remotely and being able to set different locations were your contact's can see it. Various websites are reporting the following changes also:
Improved Vista Compatibility
New Personal Expressions UI (Winks and Emoticon menus, etc)
New Personal Status Message options
A new branding platform
Improved re-authentication at sign in
Roaming display pictures
New platform architecture in key areas such as automatic updates and object store (where your personalized data is kept on your computer)
A sign-out option
My status on the beta is currently at "Pending", let's hope Microsoft starts allowing others into the program.
Download: Microsoft Connect (Testers Only)
News Source: JCXP.net
Screenshots: JCXP.net Forums
JCXP.net is reporting that the build aims to give users better roaming support, such as display pictures being stored remotely and being able to set different locations were your contact's can see it. Various websites are reporting the following changes also:
Improved Vista Compatibility New Personal Expressions UI (Winks and Emoticon menus, etc) New Personal Status Message options A new branding platform Improved re-authentication at sign in Roaming display pictures New platform architecture in key areas such as automatic updates and object store (where your personalized data is kept on your computer) A sign-out option My status on the beta is currently at "Pending", let's hope Microsoft starts allowing others into the program.
Download: Microsoft Connect (Testers Only) News Source: JCXP.net Screenshots: JCXP.net ForumsConfusing times with Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta testers
on Mon 04 Sep 2006 (10:52 GMT) (1920 views)
on Mon 04 Sep 2006 (10:52 GMT) (1920 views)
I am still a little confused myself with this whole situation, but I'll try and make sense of it all here. Basically people who were signing up to beta test the Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta have been receiving acceptance e-mails.
Currently connect testers who beta tested the Windows Live Messenger 8.0 betas have automatically been re-accepted to the beta. They were sent emails a few days ago and had to click a link to activate their testing role. These testers have had this opportunity ever since they were accepted to beta test MSN Messenger 7.0 nearly two years ago. However, some connect testers have not received any re-activation emails yet and the whole situation is becoming confusing.
Also I have heard rumors that people who have never been a connect tester for Messenger have started to be accepted for the 8.1 beta. I have also had a few contacts now saying they have been accepted despite not being a connect tester before, but all this seems in the minority, it could even be regional.
So if you are a current connect tester for Windows Live Messenger 8.0 and have not received any re-activation emails of any kind, try contacting Microsoft, but this only applies if you are a connect tester, and I am not even sure if that will work. If you want to apply to become a new connect tester (like me) visit this link and fill in the correct details. Good Luck.
Currently connect testers who beta tested the Windows Live Messenger 8.0 betas have automatically been re-accepted to the beta. They were sent emails a few days ago and had to click a link to activate their testing role. These testers have had this opportunity ever since they were accepted to beta test MSN Messenger 7.0 nearly two years ago. However, some connect testers have not received any re-activation emails yet and the whole situation is becoming confusing.
Also I have heard rumors that people who have never been a connect tester for Messenger have started to be accepted for the 8.1 beta. I have also had a few contacts now saying they have been accepted despite not being a connect tester before, but all this seems in the minority, it could even be regional.
So if you are a current connect tester for Windows Live Messenger 8.0 and have not received any re-activation emails of any kind, try contacting Microsoft, but this only applies if you are a connect tester, and I am not even sure if that will work. If you want to apply to become a new connect tester (like me) visit this link and fill in the correct details. Good Luck.
Chris4 reported that a new connect website survey was up today. The survey is meant to invite connect users to beta test the new Windows Live Messenger 8.1 version. It seems that after a "rushed version" Microsoft has decided to start a new testing phase, probably to wipe out the remaining bugs, and to test the Yahoo! Messenger compatibility.
Let's hope that they can wipe the major bugs out and release a version that is safe from password stealers. Maybe this time, Windows Live Messenger users will be able to always stay online, instead of randomly getting kicked off Messenger. Good luck to the Windows Live Messenger developers team!
Connect Website Survey (requires a Microsoft Connect account) (Link fixed)
Windows Live Messenger password security flaw
Let's hope that they can wipe the major bugs out and release a version that is safe from password stealers. Maybe this time, Windows Live Messenger users will be able to always stay online, instead of randomly getting kicked off Messenger. Good luck to the Windows Live Messenger developers team!
Connect Website Survey (requires a Microsoft Connect account) (Link fixed) Windows Live Messenger password security flawIt seems that the Windows Live Mail beta may have actually ended yesterday, Friday 18th August.
Several testers have received emails telling them this: (Kahuna being the original codename for the beta)This has also apparently been confirmed on the newsgroups.
If the beta is over then this will probably mean that the release cannot be far off, which will surely affect all existing Hotmail users. This upgrade will definately affect a lot of users and spread the Windows Live name even further.
But will there be a further update before the release? Screenshots of a possible future release were seen earlier this week in an advertising research survey sent to some users. The screenshots were originally posted on Andre Da Costa's blog. Darren Straight then posted some better quality screenshots of the same survey showing differences to the current M7 release, including Windows Live graphic branding, new icons, a small calendar in the left menu, an improved 'Today' page, and better integration with Windows Live Contacts.
However with a release of Windows Live Mail the @live.com and @windowslive.com email address promised in June (which reference to mysteriously and suddenly disappeared shortly after) will also surely have to become available around the same time.
Source: AeroXperience
Windows Live Mail M8 (unconfirmed) screenshots
@live.com and @windowslive.com email addresses information
Several testers have received emails telling them this: (Kahuna being the original codename for the beta)
Hey Kahuna-ists!
WOW! It's been over a year since we have started this beta. Some of you were there from the beginning, some have come along as we progressed, but regardless of when you joined, you hold one thing in common: you have pounded on Kahuna and helped us make it the best web-based e-mail system yet.
you have spoken and we've listened to you. Closely. you have submitted over 1800 pieces of feedback. You have made over 6000 posts to the newsgroup. You have sent us countless mails and IMs.
We've gone from a few hundred testers to a staggering seven million people.
But now, for the sad news, we'll be shutting of the feedback form this Friday. Not because we're tired of hearing from you, but because, after all this time, we're ready to say goodbye to our baby and send it off into the world. If you do happen to have a really big ticket item, something you think should prevent us from letting everyone enjoy the beauty of Kahuna, please, tell us now! We really want to know about that!
I'm sure some of you have a few questions for the team behind Kahuna so here comes the good news: we have an online chat set up for next Wednesday, August 23rd, where you'll get the opportunity to get those answers to life's persistent questions.
. What will happen to my active bugs?
. What happens with the newsgroup? The connect site?
. Will there be a beta of the next web-based e-mail client?
. Can I be a part of it?
. Who will win the World Series/Superbowl/Event of Your Choice?
And, most importantly,
. Where is my Frisbee?????
Please come and join us for the chat on the 23rd from 4-5pm Pacific Time and we can answer these, and many other questions, for you. And since we know the whole time zone conversion thing can get tricky, we strongly recommend grabbing the .ics file from [link removed] which can be imported into many popular calendaring programs.
Thank you for your testing and making this beta an outstanding success!
-Arne
Window Live Beta Team
If the beta is over then this will probably mean that the release cannot be far off, which will surely affect all existing Hotmail users. This upgrade will definately affect a lot of users and spread the Windows Live name even further.
But will there be a further update before the release? Screenshots of a possible future release were seen earlier this week in an advertising research survey sent to some users. The screenshots were originally posted on Andre Da Costa's blog. Darren Straight then posted some better quality screenshots of the same survey showing differences to the current M7 release, including Windows Live graphic branding, new icons, a small calendar in the left menu, an improved 'Today' page, and better integration with Windows Live Contacts.
However with a release of Windows Live Mail the @live.com and @windowslive.com email address promised in June (which reference to mysteriously and suddenly disappeared shortly after) will also surely have to become available around the same time.
Source: AeroXperience Windows Live Mail M8 (unconfirmed) screenshots @live.com and @windowslive.com email addresses informationTwo weeks/ 5 posts ago (dam news is slow!) I posted about the upcoming Screenshot Sender 4. Well a public beta has been released and wow, it's something else.
The program is, to sum up, fantastic, it's clean, works great and has some amazing features. If you use or have used Screenshot Sender in the past you would of knew that parts were buggy. Well that seems to of been stamped out, I can save and even upload screenshots without hassle. I can't say much more than try it, it has got to be the most professional script for Messenger Plus! Live so far.
View some screenshots of Screenshot Sender 4
Download Screenshot Sender 4 beta
The program is, to sum up, fantastic, it's clean, works great and has some amazing features. If you use or have used Screenshot Sender in the past you would of knew that parts were buggy. Well that seems to of been stamped out, I can save and even upload screenshots without hassle. I can't say much more than try it, it has got to be the most professional script for Messenger Plus! Live so far.
View some screenshots of Screenshot Sender 4 Download Screenshot Sender 4 betaWell it appears that "just days away" was a bit of an over estimate! The integration between Windows Live and Yahoo! Messenger launched in beta last night.
Contacts on the different services are currently able to do things including sending each other messages, emoticons and nudges - and can even see each other's personal messages. The only feature missing at the moment appears to be the ability to share files. Apparently there is no noticeable delay when communicating between Windows Live and Yahoo! Messenger.
As the interoperability is being released in beta it needs to be enabled for your account here, at ideas.live.com. As well as you needing to be on this beta to be able to contact Yahoo! buddies any you do want to chat to must be using the new beta version of "Yahoo! Messenger with Voice", and enable it for their Yahoo! account by joining the beta here.
But if you are wanting it enabled for your Windows Live Messenger account you better hurry: apparently to begin with only 500,000 users will get it enabled. Then more people will be able to use it by recieving invites from existing users, as was done with the Windows Live Messenger beta. This is to make sure that the transition to using MSNP14 will go smoothly, and the number of users should be slowly increased until everyone will have it enabled.
However, beware if you are currently using Messenger Plus! Live - by joining the beta you upgraded your account and enable the new protocol (MSNP14) which conflicts with Messenger Plus! Live. Nicknames become replaced with numbers: Windows Live Messenger contacts' names become a "1" and Yahoo! Messenger names become "32" in things like the event viewer. As we previously announced, Patchou plans to release Messenger Plus! Live 4.01 soon and he has said that this issue will be fixed in it, and that it should be out this weekend.
This is only the first version of the integration and Microsoft and Yahoo! plan to add a few more cross-network features in the future.
Sign up for the beta (with a Windows Live Messenger account)
Sign up for the beta (with a Yahoo! account)
More info at Windows Live Messenger team blog
Info about changes within Messenger by the MSNP14 upgrade
Microsoft press release about the interoperability
Download Windows Live Messenger (version 8)
Download Yahoo! Messenger with Voice beta (version 8)
Info from Patchou about Messenger Plus! Live 4.01
Contacts on the different services are currently able to do things including sending each other messages, emoticons and nudges - and can even see each other's personal messages. The only feature missing at the moment appears to be the ability to share files. Apparently there is no noticeable delay when communicating between Windows Live and Yahoo! Messenger.
As the interoperability is being released in beta it needs to be enabled for your account here, at ideas.live.com. As well as you needing to be on this beta to be able to contact Yahoo! buddies any you do want to chat to must be using the new beta version of "Yahoo! Messenger with Voice", and enable it for their Yahoo! account by joining the beta here.
But if you are wanting it enabled for your Windows Live Messenger account you better hurry: apparently to begin with only 500,000 users will get it enabled. Then more people will be able to use it by recieving invites from existing users, as was done with the Windows Live Messenger beta. This is to make sure that the transition to using MSNP14 will go smoothly, and the number of users should be slowly increased until everyone will have it enabled.
However, beware if you are currently using Messenger Plus! Live - by joining the beta you upgraded your account and enable the new protocol (MSNP14) which conflicts with Messenger Plus! Live. Nicknames become replaced with numbers: Windows Live Messenger contacts' names become a "1" and Yahoo! Messenger names become "32" in things like the event viewer. As we previously announced, Patchou plans to release Messenger Plus! Live 4.01 soon and he has said that this issue will be fixed in it, and that it should be out this weekend.
This is only the first version of the integration and Microsoft and Yahoo! plan to add a few more cross-network features in the future.
Sign up for the beta (with a Windows Live Messenger account) Sign up for the beta (with a Yahoo! account) More info at Windows Live Messenger team blog Info about changes within Messenger by the MSNP14 upgrade Microsoft press release about the interoperability Download Windows Live Messenger (version 8) Download Yahoo! Messenger with Voice beta (version 8) Info from Patchou about Messenger Plus! Live 4.01All the managed beta (via Microsoft Connect) testers of Windows Live Messenger have been informed today that the beta program is now over.
An email was sent to each one thanking them for their help, testing and work:
How much longer can it be now until the full release? (well, probably not Friday!)
An email was sent to each one thanking them for their help, testing and work:
Dear Windows Live Messenger Beta Tester,
As we get closer to the final release of Windows Live Messenger 8.0, it is time that the managed beta come to a close. Thank you for all your wonderful contributions to this beta and for putting the voice of the customer into our best version of Messenger yet. Here are few of the many areas where your feedback made a difference:
-Improved sign-in performance. Thanks to your feedback, Windows Live Messenger 8.0 has the fastest sign-in of any version of Messenger.
-New UI and color changing. After many tries, your feedback helped us "get it right."
-Great new features such as Sharing Folders, Offline IM and Live Contacts. You found many great bugs that improved the quality of each of these.
-Overall quality. Your relentless testing and reporting of memory leaks, crashes and UI glitches greatly improved this version of Messenger.
How much longer can it be now until the full release? (well, probably not Friday!)
Patchou has posted a thread on the Messenger Plus! Forums saying that we can expect a public beta version of Messenger Plus! Live within the next 30 Days. Patchou has stated that the beta version will be a "pretty reliable product". I think this is a good move, as Windows Live Messenger is still in beta it will be good for the public to test out Messenger Plus! Live.
Patchou has just returned from a 2 week break in Disney World, and is catching up on what has been going on. He has noticed the huge demand for the product, and because of Windows Live Messenger's new big promotion, more and more people want Messenger Plus! Live. The beta will be as stable as possible, and not be meant for reporting bugs etc, but to make people happy using the software. However, this is not the first news of the public beta, already we fished out some news, that no one took seriously, looks like we were right after all.
When the beta is released, you can find it right here.
Patchou's Thread on the Messenger Plus! Forums
Messenger Plus! website news page
Messenger Plus! Live Website
Patchou has just returned from a 2 week break in Disney World, and is catching up on what has been going on. He has noticed the huge demand for the product, and because of Windows Live Messenger's new big promotion, more and more people want Messenger Plus! Live. The beta will be as stable as possible, and not be meant for reporting bugs etc, but to make people happy using the software. However, this is not the first news of the public beta, already we fished out some news, that no one took seriously, looks like we were right after all.
When the beta is released, you can find it right here.
Patchou's Thread on the Messenger Plus! Forums Messenger Plus! website news page Messenger Plus! Live WebsiteWell well well. It seems the popular add-on, Messenger Discovery Live, an update to Messenger Discovery is nearly ready for its official release, and to make sure everything is going to plan a beta has been dished out to the public. The new 6 months of code is now fully compatible with Windows Live Messenger and contains some exciting new features, such as spell checking and a new contact manager (very nice indeed).
There are heaps of features in the program, some unique and cool sounding ones at that, but as always, there is some criticism. The way it hooks onto messenger is not always user friendly, and still it uses the system tray to show what is going on. Also positioning and design of things just seems a little unprofessional. However, bugs don't seem to be such a huge problem this time, and because it is a beta things can change and if they do, wow, this program will be a Windows Live Messenger must. Give it a try today!
View a screenshot of the hot new program
Download Messenger Discovery Live beta
Visit the Messenger Discovery Live Website
There are heaps of features in the program, some unique and cool sounding ones at that, but as always, there is some criticism. The way it hooks onto messenger is not always user friendly, and still it uses the system tray to show what is going on. Also positioning and design of things just seems a little unprofessional. However, bugs don't seem to be such a huge problem this time, and because it is a beta things can change and if they do, wow, this program will be a Windows Live Messenger must. Give it a try today!
View a screenshot of the hot new program Download Messenger Discovery Live beta Visit the Messenger Discovery Live WebsiteToday testers received a very special new build of Messenger Plus! Live. Custom emoticon sounds have been 100% recoded back in, so has the auto accept feature. Also events notifications have made an appearance. Patchou has also stated that a new design will soon be coming to the program to match the latest Windows Live Messenger build, so it seems everything is coming together now.
Events notifications is a new feature, which has been on my list for a while. You select the contact/ contacts you want and you can receive notifications on what they do. For example, when they change status or sign and a toast notification is displayed when they do.
Custom sounds have been improved. Sounds can last up to 12 seconds now, and with improvements on getting random sounds and using the library all up and finished, we are looking at a very professional Messenger Plus! Live. Bugs are being tested for right now, this is a major new build, and all sorts can happen. Remember there is no leak, I am an official tester, and I will not provide any leak for you. You should be looking forward to the official release it really is an improvement of everything you have seen.
Thanks to exoendo.net for the screenshots
View the new custom emoticon sounds
View the events notifcations feature
Events notifications is a new feature, which has been on my list for a while. You select the contact/ contacts you want and you can receive notifications on what they do. For example, when they change status or sign and a toast notification is displayed when they do.
Custom sounds have been improved. Sounds can last up to 12 seconds now, and with improvements on getting random sounds and using the library all up and finished, we are looking at a very professional Messenger Plus! Live. Bugs are being tested for right now, this is a major new build, and all sorts can happen. Remember there is no leak, I am an official tester, and I will not provide any leak for you. You should be looking forward to the official release it really is an improvement of everything you have seen.
Thanks to exoendo.net for the screenshots
View the new custom emoticon sounds View the events notifcations feature
Messenger Stuff