While Messenger 2009 beta operates similarly to Messenger 8.5, the geniuses at Microsoft’s Redmond, Wash. labs took a page from our dream journals to create what I hope to be one of the most well-received IM clients of 2009. After initial testing, I found very little to complain about; in fact, while I could spend an entire week talking about all the cool things the beta alone can do, I decided to isolate my praise to nine cool features which make Windows Live Messenger 2009 my choice for the best IM release of the new year.
Nine Reasons to Love Messenger 9.0
- Vista’s Glassy Look. Taking a page from Vista, Messenger 2009 features a brand new “glassy” look on all the client’s windows, helping it to mesh better with Microsoft’s latest OS. The crystal-cleanliness of the entire client gives the IM a sleeker look outside the original blue and green outfit.
- Toolbar Redesign. Veteran users will note developers have since moved Messenger’s myriad of tabs and the toolbar from the top and sides of the client to a new location along the bottom of the client window. Likewise, developers dabbled in a minimalist approach for the chat windows, minimizing the space of the toolbars and leaving room for what is most important: Your conversations.
- What’s New For users of Windows Live products, keeping up with all your friends can be a tricky endeavor; now, using the What’s New section, you can toggle through a live, chronological feed and see what your friends are doing across the Live platform.
- Groups and Categories. Before you start organizing your contacts into groups, be forewarned: the 2009 Messenger experience is a little different from version 8.5. Now, your friends will go into “categories.” Meanwhile, you can pair different folks into “Groups” which help facilitate Messenger 9.0’s powerful new group chat feature. The development illustrates a strong commitment to streamlining communications and the group chat feature is no exception.
- Sharing Photos. Want to show everyone those brilliant photos from your vacation? Sharing pics on Messenger 2009 has never been easier. Simply drag from your computer and drop the image in the chat window. Instantly, it appears. This is by far the coolest development in Messenger to date.
- Match Faces with Names. Remember the little iconic green man that graced each Messenger contact? He has since been replaced with buddy icons, avatars and the real-life photos of all your IM contacts.
- Favorite Contacts. We all have a small circle we talk to most on IM and now, Messenger 2009 makes it easier to find them on our contacts list with the “favorites” category. Organize this section at anytime; when your favorites sign-on, you’ll see them up top, front and center. Simple and effective.
- Live Search. Ever had to open a browser in the middle of your IM session to search for a contact or perhaps find out how your stocks are doing? Now you can access Windows Live Search via Messenger and streamline your Internet activities with one single application.
- Scene Change. For the most colorful personality, a brilliant library of Live Messenger scenes and skins are available to help dress your client for any occasion or mood.
