MSN Messenger 7.0 BETA leaked!

[ladie_vennom]

Back in May, 2003 we exclusively revealed MSN Messenger 6.0. This time around it's 6.0's bigger brother, 7.0. MSN Messenger is clearly progressing in this early look at 7.0. You now have the ability to sign in as busy/away/offline etc which will please a lot of people. 3 Degrees is finally encorporated into MSN Messenger (something I had been writing about for more than a year). The interface is cleaner, smarter and the features are great!

Winks: Winks allow you to send kisses, hearts and all sorts of silly cartoons to your contacts.

Nudge: Nudge allows you to send a "shake" to your contact. Both your own and your contacts MSN Messenger window will shake, much like how Internet Explorer windows shake using the correct javascript.

Download packs: Download packs will allow users to grab winks/emoticons/display pictures and backgrounds straight from MSN. As these currently don't work we were unable to test them.

Games: Chess Club, Bankshot Billiards Club are included if you're a Instant Games Clubhouse member. Standard Checkers/Solitaire Showdown/Bejeweled/Minesweeper Flags and Tic Tac Toe are still included.

Activities: Activities allow you to share files, calendars, photos and perform tasks such as remote assistance.

Deluxe Display Pictures: Although these are unavailable it seems like MSN are going to supply animated display pictures.

The build in question is 7.0.0205 and carries the beta tag throughout. The main MSN Messenger window is redesigned to show your display picture and includes the ability to scroll through tabs. There's no new options in the main options menu but you can change the position of the tab icons. When a contact signs in using MSN Messenger 6 or above you get the contacts display picture on the sign in toast. Custom emoticons are still the same, they still do not animate or allow animated GIFs etc. Check out the screenshots below for more features and the general user interface. MSN Messenger 7.0 is expected to be released into beta on November 11 with a general "MSN Messenger Wave 10" release as late as February 2005. We'll keep you updated but for now enjoy the screenshots.

Screenshot: Install | Sign in as | Contact List | #2
Screenshot: Contact Window | Options | #2 | #3
Screenshot: Winks | Emoticons | Nudge | Winks - 3 Degrees
Screenshot: Download Packs | Activities | Games | Contact Card
Screenshot: About MSN Messenger 7

Source: www.neowin.net

Want to try the new BETA? Download a copy NOW! Visit here for a list of mirrors.

[Jeff]

If anyone runs across a download link, let me know.

[David]

quote:
Nudge: Nudge allows you to send a "shake" to your contact. Both your own and your contacts MSN Messenger window will shake, much like how Internet Explorer windows shake using the correct javascript.

I really hope that is not implemented imporperly...it could really be abused.

[Jeff]

I think that we'll see more than just winks brought over from threedegrees. One of the cool features of threedegrees is the ability to create and share a music playlist in real-time. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those P2P music capabilities snuck into MSN Messenger 7 before it goes live.

[Doomer]

Link = ban here, like neowin?

[shifter]

quote:Originally posted by Doomer

Link = ban here, like neowin?

Uh, the Administrator just asked for a link three posts ahead of yours. What do you think the answer is?

[detn8r]

quote:Originally posted by Doomer

Link = ban here, like neowin?

Neowin is associated with Microsoft. I honestly find it funny that they are offering to ban members posting a link to download it, but allowing their members to post like it's a spam pit of hell. But oh well.
I just think creamhackered wants the braging rights of posting a beta download link before others do =)

[Deadeye]

February is a long time from now, does anyone know when the beta version will be released?

-edited-
Sorry, didnt notice that in my excitement.

[Phil]

quote:MSN Messenger 7.0 is expected to be released into beta on November 11

It's right there in the topic!

[Fanatic]

Once the beta gets out, there's no putting the genie back in the lamp. It will be available SOMEWHERE if you're determined to find it. Remember what happened with the MSN 5 beta last year? Some sites had it linked, and then Microsoft contacted them and "asked" them to take the links down? But MS didn't contact ALL sites -- some still had it -- and some will again.

But really, who gives a rip? From the initial screen caps (which Neowin took down at MS's request) it doesn't look like such a big deal. I mean, whoooooo I get to see MY OWN display pic in the contact list. Big deal! It doesn't really seem like it should be a major release, but more like a 6.x upgrade with minor enhancements.

What I'm more interested in is whether the MSN protocol will change (again) and break Trillian/GAIM/Jabber/et.al. (again).