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 Windows Live Messenger 9.0 to ship in February 2009 and without Smart Watch support
Windows Live Messenger 9.0 to ship in February 2009 and without Smart Watch support

dwergs says ( 04 Oct 2008 ):

 

abacus msn direct watchJonathan Kay, a faithful supporter and proud owner of the MSN Direct Smart Watch, has let us know that Windows Live Messenger 9.0 will not support the Smart Watch device. This was announced in an e-mail sent to all MSN Direct customers. People who have paid for the service and would like to keep using it are advised not to upgrade. At some point, Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is bound to become obsolete and the functionality will then expire with it.

The same e-mail alert mentions the "release to market date" for Windows Live Messenger 9.0, setting the date to February 10th, 2008. Ignoring the obvious typo, this means that the final version of Messenger and other Wave 3 products are expected to ship in four months from now.



 A few beers, a Stetson and a Messenger Buddy suit
A few beers, a Stetson and a Messenger Buddy suit

dwergs says ( 02 Oct 2008 ):

 

An anonymous collegue of Jacky Mok, Product Manager for Windows Live at Microsoft Canada, went a bit wild with a Messenger Buddy suit and a cowboy hat. And yes, there are photos. It's the first and hopefully last time you'll see a two legged Messenger Buddy.


>> More silly photos at Windows Live Chronicles.



 Preview: Web Messenger in Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3
Preview: Web Messenger in Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3

dwergs says ( 02 Oct 2008 ):

 

Even if we'd be lucky to see the new Hotmail Wave 3 -I still don't- we're definitely not supposed to see any Web Messenger integration until "early 2009". But Paul from GeekSmack pointed me to a few exclusive screenshots by an anonymous dogfood user, giving a little preview of what's to come.

web messenger in hotmail wave 3We can tell from the screenshots that display pictures, default emoticons, nudges and contact blocking are all supported. The same goes for status changes, but they're currently inconsistent with the limited ones available in Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta. Of course, this is likely to change when everything goes final.

>> View all screenshots here.

[Reported by: Paul from GeekSmack]



 Compo delayed due to server issues
Compo delayed due to server issues

dwergs says ( 02 Oct 2008 ):

 

As you've probably noticed, we're still undergoing some problems here the Mess.be with short downtimes every so often. It would only be fair to get that sorted before we start accepting entries for our competition. Sorry, but stay tuned!



 Mess.be is experiencing technical difficulties again
Mess.be is experiencing technical difficulties again

dwergs says ( 30 Sep 2008 ):

 

Our server is experiencing some problems again which results in random downtimes for most of our visitors, and the temporary unavailability of our collection of free emoticons and display pictures. We're sorry for the inconvenience, but everything should return to normal in a few hours.



 Don't mess with your trash, mess with your trash can.
Don't mess with your trash, mess with your trash can.

dwergs says ( 30 Sep 2008 ):

 

At Mess.be we do like to mess but not to make a mess (except maybe online, and on our desk of course). Nor do I personally approve the crushed coke cans and empty bags of chips that schoolkids leave on my doorstep on a weekly basis. To the bin with them!

In an attempt to start the fight against the environmental mess created by street litter, our Flemish Government has launched a campaign calling on young people to put their waste "in the trash can and nowhere else". In order to attract their attention and demonstrate that garbage makes things ugly, they've left rubbish on popular online destinations such as radio station StuBru, on your default Windows XP wallpaper (download 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024 or 1600x1200) and on that babe wallpaper you like (download 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024 or 1600x1200).

The mere theme of this "messy" campaign would've inspired us to post about it, but they've thrown a free set of "vuilicons" (trashicons) for Messenger into the bargain. The animated emoticons allow you to leave your virtual rubbish in conversation windows, but alas, they forgot to create a Trash Bot to dump your stuff to.

animated msn banana emoticon animated msn cigarette emoticon animated msn coke can emoticons animated msn turd emoticon animated msn water bottle emoticons


>> Visit the campaign website here (Dutch only).



 Windows Live Hotmail update slowly arriving, Messenger bits delayed
Windows Live Hotmail update slowly arriving, Messenger bits delayed

dwergs says ( 30 Sep 2008 ):

 

Microsoft has gradually started rolling out the Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3 update but at some point in October every Hotmail user will have access to the new version. Part of the update are a new, clean look with themes support (not unlike the Windows Live Messenger Scenes in 9.0), a more convenient contact picker and overall faster performance.

Back in August there was some talk of bringing back WebMessenger to Hotmail, but from what we've seen there's currently only the presence of Messenger Display Pictures at (see screenshot). The new About page promises more advanced Messenger integration starting early 2009:

"IM through Hotmail. See if your Messenger contacts are online and say "Hi!"
Let us know if you spot any other Messenger functionalities in the new Hotmail.

>> Check out GeekSmack for more screenshots.



 BeeJiveIM: powerhouse iPhone client available from App Store
BeeJiveIM: powerhouse iPhone client available from App Store

dwergs says ( 29 Sep 2008 ):

 

We briefly mentioned the web-based JiveTalk a year ago, but now there's a native iPhone app available from the same Beejive crew. The multi-IM software costs $15.99 (= €12,99 or £9.49) but its feature-set seems to be worth every buck (euro or quid):

- Be connected even after you close the application (and it's gentle on your battery).
- Get notified instantly when you get a new message (requires with MobileMe or Exchange/ActiveSync push email).
- Uses your existing data plan: no per-message charges.
- Works with multiple IM networks and multiple accounts per network: AIM/iChat, MSN, Yahoo!, GoogleTalk, ICQ, Jabber and MySpace IM.
- Quick switch between multiple simultaneous chats.
- Landscape option: type with a larger keyboard.
- Chat history: Email chat logs to save chat history.
- SMS out, chat with your SMS buddies through AIM or Yahoo SMS out. Fully integrated with your iPhone/iPod Touch address book.
- Manage your buddy-list, including add/remove, nicknames, groups, block, approve/deny requests.
- Sort/group/search your buddy list.
- Control your own availability: set auto-away and custom status messages, be invisible, change privacy controls.
- Configurable alerts, customizable sounds, vibrate settings.
- Buddy icon support: view your friends' icons, set your own.
- Customizable chat skins & emoticon support.
- Click to browse, call, or send an email directly from the chat screen.
- Coming soon: group chats, emoticons and full hyperlink support.
beejiveim

Apart from some bickering on its price (which is slightly higher compared to your average iPhone app), we've seen nothing but good comments about BeeJiveIM. Those not content with free and less powerful alternatives such as Palringo, Agile Messenger, HeySan, JiveTalk, eBuddy or Meebo, should definitely consider BeeJiveIM for staying connected 24/7 to friends, family, colleagues and clients.

>> More screenshots over at The Boy Genius Report

>> Buy BeeJive
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