Have you been drooling over the latest screenshots of Windows Live wave 3? Now get yourself in on the action. Microsoft is launching the official Windows Live Wave 3 beta today.
Watcher of all things Microsoft Live, LiveSide.net has the links to the official downloads from Microsoft, that include the latest versions of Live Messenger, Movie Maker, Mail with Calendar synchronization, Writer, Photo Gallery, Family Safety and the Outlook Connector. These downloads have been confirmed as functional, and in the case of Windows Live Messenger will install "Version 2009, build 14.0.5027.908"
Download: http://g.live.com/1rebeta3/en/wlsetup-all.exe
Here's a list of changes and new bits in the new Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta (14.0.5027.908) that went live today- Change your dashboard background ("scenes"), big inbox icon to the right, Personal Status Message separated from "music you're currently listening to", colored display picture frames to show current status, new buddy list icons, What's new feed and relocated promotional tabs.
- Favorites and Groups features, left-aligned display pictures in the convo window, added Segoe UI font
New discoveries:
- Hover-over contact options menu (Send an IM, send an e-mail, etc.)
- New Layout tab in Tools > Options allows you to customize the appearance of your contact list window (screenshot).
- New (softer) sounds for contact signing in, new e-mail, incoming/outgoing voice or video call, new Windows Live Alert and nudge.
- System sounds now have the same editor as signature sounds.
- Links in display names are not clickable. Those in PSMs are.
- Say goodbye to "Out to lunch", "In a call" and "Be right back". The Messenger statuses are now limited to "Available", "Away", "Busy" or "Appear offline".
- New "What I'm listening to" icon.
- Chat history button added to conversation window.
- Sharing folders feature makes room for Windows Live Skydrive: Click Files > Publish files online in the conversation windows. NOTE: Clicking "View your online files" in the hover menu on your own Display Picture opens a faulty link (skydrive.live-int.com instead of skydrive.live.com)
- New Display Picture options for webcam owners: Webcam snapshots and Tile with moods.
- Clicking your Display Picture in the main window allows you to change your Display Picture again (in 8.5 this just showed your contact card).
- Word wheel now offers Search for profiles and Live Search options.
- Invites you to add MessengerTV@live.com, the Messenger TV bot, to your contact list