Previously we have only heard about the new Windows Live Messenger add-in feature through unofficial sources. Today, Ken Levy, product planner for Windows Live, has blogged promoting it to developers and to get some feedback:
In our continued effort to empower developers interested creating components for customizing Windows Live Messenger 8.0 via the extensibility model, we have set up functionality in Windows Live Messenger try out and test the new Add-ins feature. Add-ins are API hooks to customize, extend, and build upon the Windows Live Messenger client application. We plan to release this Add-in SDK as a download for msdn.com in early June, so beta feedback on the Add-ins SDK need to be sent to us by the end of May.
The add-in feature is not active by default and the add-in section in the Options dialog is hidden. To enable the add-ins section in the Options dialog, create a .reg file containing the following text, and then import the file to the registry. Alternately, download the reg file and run it.
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger]
"AddInFeatureEnabled"=dword:00000001
Microsoft has issued a press release announcing that the beta of Windows Live Messenger is now public:
Microsoft today announced that the new Windows Live Messenger beta is available broadly to the public for download at the Windows Live Ideas Web site. The beta of Windows Live Messenger, which is the next generation of MSN Messenger, the most widely used instant messaging service with more than 230 million customers worldwide, includes customer-driven feature enhancements that make it even easier for consumers to stay in touch with the people and information that matter most to them. Windows Live Messenger was previously available for beta testing by invitation only. The beta also makes PC-to-phone calling available in six additional markets.
I am guessing that this doesn’t take effect immediately, because at the time of writing this, it still requires an invite to sign in. Also, the WLM page at Windows Live Ideas still mentions “signing up”. A new day in Redmond, and that’s all changed. No invite is required and there’s a download link at the ideas page.
The public beta release of Windows Live Messenger has a fresh look and feel — it is easy to personalize and features a toolbar that provides one-click access to customers’ favorite services. Some features include the following:
- Windows Live Call with Verizon Web Calling service
- Cordless phones designed exclusively for Windows Live Messenger
- Windows Live Contacts
- Unified contacts
- Sharing Folders
- Offline instant message (IM)
- Video conversation
View the whole press release for extended information.
Better late than never: you can find the release notes for this latest refresh at the Messenger Support Space.
Most notable is obviously the UI changes, everything has been fitted to match the general Windows Live theme, which has also resulted in new buddy icons (status icons).
There is also a list of known issues, such as this:
Sharing is not supported on unsigned versions of Messenger, such as if a third-party Messenger add-in is installed.
Grr!
Sure are hearing a lot about the Hack Day event last month (see [1], [2], [3]). This time I’m reporting about a Channel 9 video called Windows Live Hack Day 2006 which was published on Tuesday. The summary is as follows:
How do you tryout a bunch of APIs (including Search, Expo, and more) all at once? You have a Windows Live ‘Hack Day’, gather developers together into one place, feed them and set them loose trying to build as many cool apps as they can.
To keep an eye on further videos related to MSN & Windows Live, I recommend subscribing to these feeds: MSN & Windows Live
A new beta refresh has been unleashed for testing. What’s new? From what I’ve seen personally, just minor GUI fixes and thank you, the dancing sign-in buddys have been fixed. Leah’s posting from the WLM blog gives the hint that this could be the final beta.
This version is like a final draft – a last chance to make any crucial changes/bug fixes. You won’t see many changes between this version and the final release. Feel free to keep making feature requests, though - we’ll add them to the list for the next versions.
So is the FINAL build soon? We’ll soon see.
