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BigBlueBall provides news, tips, tricks and support for all major instant messengers including AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, ICQ, Trillian, and many more. Read on...
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MSN Messenger is the fastest growing instant messaging program, and currently ranks #2 (behind AIM/ICQ). I'll be honest, regardless of what you think of Microsoft or Bill Gates, MSN Messenger has the best interface and is the easiest instant messenger to use. It's clean and extremely functional. No, not perfect, but a very well-designed application.
MSN Messenger News
WLM9 on the way?
As reported in mess.be another Beta build of WLM9 has appeared (build 14.0.3921.717) Don't get too excited, because you won't be able to download it yet. Some new highlights:- New look, with colors and headers resembling the new Windows Live header
- New Groups feature
- DP pictures are now displayed on the left-hand side in conversation windows (hopefully Microsoft will give users the choice of making it appear on the right-hand side like v8.5)
- New Photo sharing feature.
Posted by Philip - 8 comments
Windows Live Messenger comes to the Blackberry
Even though the rumors remain unconfirmed, a new collaboration between the two companies has been announced for this year. The deal involves the integration of Windows Live services on the BlackBerry platform. The results of this collaboration will be available over the next few months. This means that the users will be able to enjoy their e-mail and also instant messaging services from their BlackBerry. Users will be able to work with a HTML supported e-mail and also links, graphics and contact photos will be available. The instant messaging will allow group chats, an avatar picture, emoticons, chat logging and it will also offer the send / receive files feature.
"When you think about our Web services, all of those will very much have a strong and stronger mobile component for them moving forward," Phil Holden, a Microsoft director for mobile services said, according to InformationWeek. He also added: "It's really about extending the PC access to the mobile phone in ways that are very similar."
The new phones shipped will come equiped with the services and users who already own the phone will be able to download it. Unfortunately, people won’t be able to enjoy Windows Live services without their carrier’s permission.
Posted by Jeff - 3 comments
Watch videos with your friends on WLM
Microsoft has launched a new online service in 20 countries which will allow users to watch video clips at the same time as a network of friends and chat via Windows Live Messenger.The new service called Messenger TV will offer a range of clips on MSN Video including MTV shows and music clips from providers such as Sony BMG.
The firm hopes the ability to watch clips with friends on different computers will create a new social experience and attract users who already spend hours on social networks.
"Online video has exploded in popularity over the last year, but to date it has been something people watch on their own. Messenger TV is set to change all that," said John Mangelaars, the vice-president, EMEA, of consumer and online for Microsoft.
"Watching video online can now be a social experience, as people watch videos together, make comments and share reactions."
The service will launch in 20 countries including many European countries, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Brazil, Canada and Mexico but not the United States.
Posted by Yahooligan - 9 comments
Another (forced?) upgrade to WLM8.5 coming soon
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First, everyone running Windows XP or Windows Vista will get a prompt encouraging you to upgrade. When you accept the upgrade, the new unified installer will launch and start upgrading Messenger. While it’s installing, you’ll have the option to download and install other Windows Live applications. You don’t have to take any of them, but we think you’ll like them and hope you’ll give them a try.
It will take a couple of weeks for us to get this upgrade out to all users, so if you don’t get it right away don’t worry, it’s coming. If you don’t want to wait, you can go to http://get.live.com/messenger/overview to download and install Messenger 8.5 right now.
After everyone’s gotten the optional upgrade, those of you still running a beta version of Messenger 8.5 will receive a required upgrade to the final version. When this phase kicks in you’ll be blocked from logging in until you complete the upgrade. The final version is even better and more stable than the beta versions, we want you to have the best experience possible!
A special note for those of you running Messenger 8.5 Beta on Windows XP 64-bit or Windows 2003 Server: the final version of Messenger 8.5 will not install or run on your OS. We don’t want you to get stuck out in the cold so you will not receive the mandatory upgrade to the final version. However, these operating systems won’t be supported by future Messenger versions. You may stay on your current beta version, or to get to a more stable final version we recommend that you uninstall Messenger 8.5 and go back to Messenger 8.1.
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I've been using the final version of WLM8.5 ever since it came out last year, and can report that it is very stable and has been running without any problems.
Posted by Philip - 2 comments
Messenger Plus Live 4.50 Released!
Today Patchou released the Messenger Plus Live 4.50 update to its 22 million users. What he described as a minor update developed into a 6 month project of allowing skinning of Windows Live Messenger!Yes, you heard correctly. You can now import, flick through and change skins from within Messenger!
The biggest features in this update are:
- Skinning
This feature allows skins to be directly applied to messenger without having to over-write any files or do the difficult file crossing/copy-n-pasting that you had to do in the good 'ol days. Because it is done in memory it means you can install as many as you want at once while being able to switch in-between. The best part is that you can easily make your own :) - Windows Live Messenger 9
The new version is completely compatible with the new Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta that we reported on earlier. - Feature Improvements
Both the built in script editor and the chat log viewer have been massively updated - Plenty of other things...
All of which can be found here.
To go along with the new version of the program, a new version of the website has been launched which you can find here:
Messenger Plus! Live - The Windows Live Messenger Extension
Other Links:
Posted by Stigmata - 2 comments
Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta Leaked
Just a few short weeks ago Microsoft officially issued Windows Live Messenger (WLM) 8.5, and they have already begun beta testing of the next version of their popular instant messaging software. Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta was released yesterday to 5,000 "official" beta testers (i.e. "not you"). But diehard WLM fans now can get their fix: the beta has been leaked to the public.
What's in the new Windows Live Messenger 9.0 beta? There are a number of new features, including:- Sign-in from multiple locations simultaneously. Logging in with the same account from a second computer won't automatically log you out on the first computer. You can now be logged in from more than one location. Most likely, Microsoft is thinking you'll use this to be logged in on your PC, your phone and your Xbox all at the same time.
- Animated GIF display pictures! This feature has been requested for years, and it looks like it's finally here to stay. The beta even includes two (lame) sample animated GIFs, but of course you can browse and select your own images.
- Links in your personal status message. Now they are clickable, live links to your blog or favorite website (hint: BigBlueBall.com).
- "Signature" Sounds. This is a sort of custom ringtone that you can specify. Your contacts will hear this sound on their computer whenever you sign-in. I'm a little wary of this feature. It could easily get really annoying, but it will be fun to see how people use it.
More Screenshots
Sign out from here
Your Signature Sound
Creating a custom Signature Sound
Links
Posted by Jeff - 7 comments
Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Final is here!
Get the latest WLM8.5 Final here plus a host of other goodies, including Hotmail, Windows Live Mail (now v1.0), Spaces, Photo Gallery, Writer, etc. Select what you want from the list, it's that simple. But remember: for a proper install of the new WLM, it's recommended that you uninstall your older version first. WLM8.5 Final's version number is 8.5.1302.1018.Enjoy!
Posted by Philip - 0 comments
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Random Display Picture
Courtesy of MessengerModsDisplay pictures are a cool way to express your personality, your mood, or your sense of style. Our sister site MessengerMods has over 1,000 free display pics, custom emoticons and chat backgrounds for MSN Messenger. They also have a step-by-step guide for changing your display pic, creating your own pics and more. Check it out!
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