With Windows Live Messenger 8.5 barely out the door, it is clear that Microsoft is more or less testing the waters when it comes to the next version of its instant messaging client. But at the same time, Windows Live Messenger 9.0 is far from being at the status of a simple receipt and has been in fact debuted into Beta testing phase. The Redmond company has sent out invitations to a private Beta for Windows Live Messenger 9.0, and in this context revealed that it has already built the foundation for the successor of Windows Live Messenger 8.5.

With version 8.5 still hot, having shipped at the beginning of November, after being previously leaked to the web, Windows Live Messenger 9.0 is not only being dogfooded over at Redmond, but also made available to testers. Still, Microsoft stressed the fact that the private beta program revolves around a very early build of the instant messaging client, and that, as such, stability is a real issue. But a very early testing version does not mean that Windows Live 9.0 Beta is not an evolution compared to its predecessor.

In this context, at the bottom of this article, you will be able to find a list with both the new features added to Windows Live Messenger 9.0 but also with the enhancements introduced to the client, courtesy of mess.be. As for the actual Windows Live Messenger 9.0 beta you know the drill, private means private. This is why your only real option at this point is to download Windows Live Messenger 8.5. But the modifications promised with Windows Live Messenger 9.0, both under the hood and on the surface, will also make it worth your wait.

"New features:
- Sign-in and messaging in multiple locations up to four at once.
- Signature sounds.
- Per contact sounds.
- SPAM Reporting.
- Animated Display Pictures - 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.

General improvements:
- 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 features.
- Windows Live Contacts Server - wlcomm.exe runs in the background to keep your contacts' information up-to-date and helps Messenger sign you in faster."