Microsoft upgrades MSN Messenger and names it Windows Live Messenger

Microsoft has upgraded its popular instant messenger, the company said. The new messenger had been available in test form for some time. The Windows Live Messenger will make its official debut tomorrow.

The chatting software had earlier been called MSN Messenger. The new program, Windows Live Messenger, which is offered as an upgrade to the earlier MSN - and like most other instant messengers, is available for free. Almost all the chatting softwares had been instant successes among a wide range of people from businessmen to teens.

In addition to the usual chatting via messages, Windows Live Messenger also provides video calling and an easy way to share files among the users. The major competitors for the new Windows Live Messenger in the market are Yahoo and AOL. Both offer chat softwares and are also in the process of addition of new exciting features to make chatting more easy and effective.

Instant messengers have evolved rapidly after their introduction in the early stages of the World Wide Web. All offer voice chats, and except for Google Talk, offer video option too. Quality of the video and voice options have improved much over the years. The video call option in Windows Live Messenger is offered by Logitech International and enables full-screen video.

Some have called the new Windows Live Messenger a more business oriented IM. Perhaps, the so-called Unified Contacts is what makes them think so. Or the Shared Folders feature. At least from our point of view, neither of them are path breaking or paradigm changing.

According to Windows Live vice-president Martin Taylor, the Live Messenger represents Microsoft's desire to "bring together all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web," Microsoft had started the "Live" brand some time back and Windows Live Messenger is one of the products to come under the new brand. The brand renaming was done to give a boost to the web-based products.

According to comScore Media Metrix, MSN Messenger s the most globally used chatting software with 204.6 million users in April.

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Microsoft upgrades MSN Messenger and names it Windows Live Messenger