Playing In A Puddle
As you probably know, the next version of Microsoft’s instant messaging software, Windows Live Messenger 9.0, got leaked to the internet a week ago. Being the sly fox I am (actually, having basic knowledge of the internet,) I managed to get my grubby little paws on it to play with. I didn’t install it on my main computer, my laptop, but I did install it on the desktop with no hesitation.
My first impressions were that it seems exactly the same as Windows Live Messenger 8.5, except with a new feature that I couldn’t use yet. I decided to leave it, for now. With the release of Messenger Plus! Live 4.50, I decided to install it on my main computer. The only reason I didn’t do it sooner is because Messenger Plus! Live wasn’t compatible with this version, but the new version is.
Now that I had two computers with Windows Live Messenger 9.0, I could test out the biggest feature of 9.0, signing in from multiple locations. You may think its a useless feature, and yes, I can see where you are coming from, but for some people, I can see this as a useful feature. I could be logged into Messenger on my main desktop, them I could go and sign in on my Xbox 360 at the same time. Then I could leave it to run to the office and sign in to Messenger on my mobile. When I get to the office, I could sign into messenger from my work computer. I can be logged into all of these places simultaneously and get messages at all of these locations. I also have full control. I can sign off other places and any messages send, will show up on the other places.
I do have to say, this feature is very buggy and it was great to play around with, but when a few conversations were going, the thing didn’t send messages to both of the Messenger instances going. I don’t know if its a bug, a problem with the service being overloaded, or if its because I had Messenger Plus! Live that was conflicting with it somehow (but I doubt it.) It seemed like a great feature and I wish I had more devices that I could use it with. It would be great to play with.
That is really all there is to talk about the Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta. That is the only worthwhile feature to mention. I could quickly mention the dynamic display pictures, animated images as display pictures. This is very early beta so we will see if they add anymore features before the public beta. By them, issues with the multiple sign on should be fixed and working great. I can’t wait to see how this version shapes up.
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