14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is gearing up to make available for download the gold version of Windows Live Messenger 9.0/2009. The Redmond company has so far managed not to indicate a delivery deadline for the next version of its instant messaging client. In this regard, Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc only mentioned that the next version of Windows Live Messenger, along with the additional services and applications making up the Windows Live Wave 3 release, would start being rolled out to end users soon.
"Windows Live Messenger, the No. 1 instant messaging service worldwide with more than 330 million active customers, now includes more personalization, a "what’s new" feed with updates from contacts across the Web, drag-and-drop photo sharing in the conversation window, a favorites list to designate the most important contacts, and group IM to chat simultaneously with up to 20 people at the same time," Microsoft revealed.
In mid-September 2008, Microsoft made available for download Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) Beta Build 14.0.5027.908. The Beta version continues to be up for grabs as the Redmond company moves onward to the RTW (release to web) version of the IM client. Version 9.0 (2009) of Windows Live Messenger has been overhauled in terms of the graphical user interface and will offer end users new features and capabilities including: Groups, What’s New Feed, Personalization, Photo sharing, etc.
Windows Live Messenger will deliver "a unified contact list where you control permissions – who can see when you’re online, whether they can view your profile, or which of your groups they can access. Anywhere you see people, you can e-mail them or send them and instant message. You’ll also have a simple and polished way to share photos and files. Since we’re all about connecting people, we’ve made groups part of your e-mail, IM, and photo experiences. Your group can have its own website, calendar, shared files, network, and other ways of keeping on top of what matters to the group," explained Brian Hall, general manager for the Windows Live Business Group.
