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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.
There are also some minor interface tweaks and a new “contacts server.” I noticed that logging in did not always work. Very likely, they don’t have a lot of redundancy in their new servers yet — they were only expecting 5,000 beta testers, after all.
More Screenshots
Sign out from here
Your Signature Sound
Creating a custom Signature Sound
Links
Great news about the development of WLM9.0 Beta, Jeff. However, I should remind members that this IS a beta, and a very early one, I believe. So the advice is still the same: don’t upgrade or install v9.0 if there isn’t any pressing need to do so. WLM9.0 is slated for release sometime in 2008, which won’t be too long.
What updates are you referring to? So far, 9.0.1407.1107 is the only build out right now. Hasn’t been updated since it’s release.
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