Microsoft Messenger for Mac is getting Audio / Video support as soon as next year, the Office for Mac Team has announced on its blog. Mac Mojo has also revealed that the new functionality is cross-platform-compatible. Windows Live Messenger support will also be included, the development team promises.

“I wanted to take a moment and share with you the progress we are making with Messenger for Mac,” writes Anav, of the Mac Mojo team. “This year we successfully delivered Audio and Video (A/V) support in the corporate service (works with Office Communications Server) of Messenger for Mac 7. We are now on the path to implement A/V support in the personal service (which will work with Windows Live service), and uses the same protocol as the corporate service.”

“I'm glad to say that the upcoming release of Windows Live Messenger, currently in beta, delivers the new A/V protocol that enables us to deliver A/V support in Messenger for Mac. It is cross-platform compatible, and will work with Windows Live Messenger. This is a huge milestone that will enable us to continue moving forward with Messenger for Mac development.”

The plan is to deliver a beta version of Messenger for Mac supporting A/V sometime in 2009 (an exact date isn't specified). “We are also working on additional features in both the personal and corporate service of Messenger for Mac for the next version of Messenger,” the same post reveals. Microsoft's Mac Team promises to provide more details on the same blog soon.

However, those attending the Macworld 2009 expo might get lucky and see the new functionality showcased before its official introduction as an update to the actual application. For those dropping by, the team will be showing off the new version of Messenger for Mac at the MacBU booth.

Download Microsoft Messenger 7.0.1 (Free)