Windows Live Messenger to Come Out of Beta

All of you Microsoft instant messaging fans, prepare your operating systems for the first Live service that drops the beta tag!

According to Bink.nu, Windows Live Messenger will be available to the public in 7 days, on June 16 to be more precise.

In early May, Microsoft allowed all users to take the new messenger, still in beta, for a spin. The new product offered the PC-to-phone feature to six new markets.

Here's a list of all the important features in the new Windows Live Messenger:

- Windows Live Call with Verizon Web Calling service. With one click, users can go directly to the Windows Live Call feature and, through the Verizon Web Calling service, place affordable outbound local voice calls and domestic or international long-distance voice calls over the Internet. The service is already offered to Messenger customers in five countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. As of next week, this calling service will be available in localized languages and currencies for six new markets: Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands.

- Cordless phones designed exclusively for Windows Live Messenger. Beginning today, customers will be able to purchase phones from companies such as Uniden Corp. and Philips that make Windows Live Call available through the handset.

- Sharing Folders. By simply dragging and dropping their files and personal photos of any size to their Windows Live Messenger window, customers can share them with family, friends and colleagues.

- Video conversation. The free synchronized audio and video service in Windows Live Messenger, powered by Logitech International SA, allows customers to view and talk to their friends through their PCs in full-screen video.

Windows Live Messenger is the first Live product to come out of Beta. It seems that it will be followed by Windows Live Search (Desktop), Windows Live Mail Desktop and Windows Live Toolbar.

If you don't have the WL Messenger beta, you can download it from here.