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Wave 3: Windows Live Hotmail
Posted by absorbation on Wed 27 Aug 2008 (13:25 GMT)
As Wave 3 news starts to trickle out, we are learning more and more about updates to Windows Live products. LiveSide have the scoop on the new Wave 3 version of Windows Live Hotmail, with new details about the (finally) included built in web messenger:

  • Speed: The coming soon page says that for broadband users, the new Hotmail will be up to 70% faster on sign in (50% for non-broadband users). That's a pretty big claim, and one which should provide for some interesting testing once the beta is open to the public.
  • Ever-increasing storage: Microsoft have carefully avoided using the phrase "unlimited storage", as Yahoo has done, but in a sense this is what is being offered. The figures we last heard for this were the the existing 5GB free accounts would be getting growth of 250MB per month, but this is pre-beta and could have changed and so our usual disclaimer applies. Obviously the PR definitely looks better leaving the figures out, but a free inbox of 8GB by the end of year 1 gives us a warm feeling. (For comparison, Gmail is currently on 7GB and still growing.)
  • New UI: Along with the new Wave 3 UI, in particular the new header and themes available shown below, the new promotion site suggests that the classic and full versions of Hotmail will be combined together. This potentially means that full functionality could be available across all browsers. Also worth mentioning here are improvements around dealing with spam.
  • WebIM built-in: This feature doesn't really need much explaining and should be a popular addition. From what we've heard it'll support most of the basic needs such as presence, notifications and chat via the WebMessenger dogfood. Yes its been a while since we've spoken about that!
  • Integrated Calendar: No surprise if you're on the new Windows Live Calendar beta to hear there will be integration between the two services.
  • Easier to send group emails: Thanks to the new Windows Live Groups service (go ABCH!) it'll be easier to email all those contacts in one go.

So some interesting news there, but could this be the time that we finally see an official Windows Live Messenger online client and that Windows Live beats Google's mail service?

>> Source: LiveSide - Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3: What's New
>> Windows Live Hotmail 'coming soon' promotional page

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Invites going out to beta test Windows Live Wave 3 products
Posted by absorbation on Wed 27 Aug 2008 (10:42 GMT)
With every major step in a program's development comes a testing phase, some of which become open to a large user base of testers. Ars Technica reports that "many Windows Live applications are expected to be updated with the roll out of Wave 3, while others will be discontinued. Over the weekend, members of the Butterfly community (MSN/Windows Live testers who have been recognized by Microsoft for their hard work) received invites to participate in 'the next Windows Live beta program' with very limited seats open." [emphasis added] Below is an extract from a Microsoft email, concerning Wave 3 testing:

In a week's time, we will send out mass invitation to previous Windows Live beta testers, which means you probably will receive a second invitation for this beta. When you receive the second e-mail, please ignore it. Do NOT take the nomination survey because by that time you should already be approved in this beta, there is no need to waste your time and ours.

We do not currently know if this also includes Windows Live Messenger 9. A couple of things suggest it would: M2 has been expected for a while now and this is common method of gaining beta testers for the program. However, the leak of the other day may delay or even stop this beta phase of Windows Live Messenger in fear of another beta being leaked (which it always does when a large amount of testers start using it).

>> Source: Ars Technica's One Microsoft Way blog

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A-Patch update for leaked Windows Live Messenger
Posted by absorbation on Tue 26 Aug 2008 (13:45 GMT)
Just a quick post here to let you know you can patch all the elements you don't like out of the M1 build of Windows Live Messenger 9 leaked a couple of days ago.

The new version is missing some features, due to the dramatic changes Windows Live Messenger 9 has created. It sure feels nice to remove all the advertisements, buttons, etc, you don't want to look at and that bloat up Messenger. Then again you probably get more out of the vast array of skins for Windows Live Messenger 8.5, I know I've already gone back to using Oil Slick.

>> Download A-Patch for Windows Live Messenger 9 M1
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Windows Live Messenger 9 build 14.0.3921.0717 leaked
Posted by absorbation on Sun 24 Aug 2008 (11:39 GMT)
There were rumours that M2 of Windows Live Messenger 9 would be released to testers sometime this week. Today a new version of Windows Live Messenger 9 was leaked, showing what was seen in the leaked screenshots of last week. This however, is of the M1 build testers have had for a while, not the new M2 build, which was expected to be out this or even next week. Notable changes include:

  • The program now has real Window handlers, at least in Windows Vista
  • URLs in personal messages now are clickable
  • The groups feature has been updated and become more customisable
  • You can now have a favourite contacts list, which appears before other contacts
  • There are several glossy effects used within the program
  • Display pictures have been moved to the left in conversation windows
  • Conservation messages are now in bullet points when sent
  • You have now the ability to share photos with contacts

The new build does not currently work with Messenger Plus! Live, and will be unlikely to until Windows Live Messenger 9 is officially released.

>> Screenshot: Contact List
>> Screenshot: Conversation Window
>> Screenshot: About Box

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Skin gives Messenger a new look based on leaked screenshots
Posted by absorbation on Sat 23 Aug 2008 (14:30 GMT)
Last week we posted some leaked screenshots, showing the wave 3 style interface of Windows Live Messenger 9 M1. From the comments and opinions I heard these were generally well received, breaking away from the very Vista look of the current version of Windows Live Messenger.

roflmao456 has created a skin based on these screenshots, taking the colour scheme and gradient effects and implementing them into Messenger. The skin isn't great, but it's not disastrous either. Seeing as we have only had a few selected screenshots this has generally been pulled off well. Using the Open Live skinning engine means there are heaps of options to use too.

>> Download Windows Live Messenger 2009 skin, requires Messenger Plus! Live
>> View a screenshot of the skin
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