14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft takes today what is to be only the first out of 20 steps spread throughout the duration of this year and that will amount to the complete and global Windows Live services. Windows Live Messenger is MSN's upgrade and is the heart of the Windows Live initiative.
The product is offered free by Microsoft and it brings to the table all of the traditional options that are implied with Instant Messaging but adds a few new features. Users will not only be able to connect and write to one another but will also have the option to drag-and-drop files and send them via messenger to their interlocutor but they will also be able to share whole folders. Furthermore the new Windows Live Messenger offers free PC-to-PC calls and rather inexpensive PC to phone calls along with the possibility of making video calls.
Microsoft even brought Jack Sparrow and a sneak preview of the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" in the equation as an usual publicity stunt trademark of the Redmond company. The 240 million users will have exclusive access to "Dead Man's Tale" an interactive online adventure that will allow them to win a berth aboard Jack Sparrow's ship, the Black Pearl.
"Windows Live is all about giving consumers the tools and services they need to be in control as they stay connected to the people they care about, on top of the information that is important to them, and better protected across all their online activities," said Martin Taylor, corporate vice president of Windows Live and MSN at Microsoft. "The launch of Windows Live Messenger represents a significant 'down payment' on the Windows Live vision and an important milestone for the business. We're proud and excited to release this product to consumers, who have helped shape the service during our beta process so we could deliver an experience that unifies their online communications experience across voice, video, sharing and more."
Windows Live Messenger is available for download here.