I’ve read that the new version of microsoft’s instant messenger is out, so i decided to try it out even though i use trillian for such activities.
The install file is the usually unneccessarily big, 15 megs. I know it’s not a problem for those with broadband connection, but what’s with the remaining dial-up users?
The install itself is quick compared to other MS applications’, and pretty simple. I don’t adwise anyone to read the agreement it requires you to read to start the setup, because i did read some parts of it, and it’s simply scary. Rather live in the fool’s paradise, believe me, you would instantly stop using any Live! product if you read that writing.
After install the upgraded messenger launches automatically, the installer does not offer the chance to avoid this start. After logging a window with “discover live!” title or something like that pops up and offers to enlighten us about the new services. Be careful, the links open in IE (Get FireFox!).
The first surprise comes when the main window appears with the contact list (screenshots at the end of the post). Not only the messenger groups appear, that we have set in the previous version, but the groups from the Hotmail account too. It also reorganizes all groups, and puts everyone, who does not have live messenger into a separate group, no matter where they were before. Note, that we also get a nice little advert at the bottom of the contact list.
The chat window hasn’t changed much. It almost looks the same, the only difference is that instead of rounded corners we get sharp ones. I like it better this way. Luckily it remembers and displays the background we set in the older version, so at least this part is convenient. I think that the so-called new features, the video and voice calling is no way different from the old video and voice message service (i couldn’t try it, because i don’t have a camera neither a microphone).
It’s funny that we can send and receive messages while in invisible mode (so the others should not see us), and they’re informed that we are in invisible mode. Then what’s the point in being invisible? Also, we can now send messages to offline users, which will be sent when they log in.
This time we can search the contact list for an username or a phone number to contact. Pretty useful if we have loads of contacts (unlike me) and are unsure where the person we look for is on the list.
The “i don’t know what’s their name” cards – the ones that pop up if you click on the user avatar – got a new design too, a bit more transparent, a bit more light.
It’s better than Trillian in one thing: it displays asian letters in the contact list and everywhere. I miss that a lot from Trillian.
There are possibly many more new and amazing possibilities and services built in, but i don’t want to write an overall test of the new messenger, just to give a quick overview of the most used parts of the program.
As a closing word i shall say my opinion: nothing special. The main services has not changed much, so it’s mostly only a graphical revamp and some new possibilities to overthrow Skype and the other messengers. Scary the thing i read on the website of live!: they plan to integrate the Yahoo! messenger too. This either means that MS bought Yahoo! or they’re preparing for a new, big copyright and monopoly cause.
To finish, i’ll give you a few screenshots (really few, only three…). Naturally all are in hungarian, since the installer automatically configures the application to the default operating system language. Oh, and i still rather use Trillian.
Rating: 4/5 – nothing special
