MSN Web Messenger is coming!

[BigBlueBall News]

dwergs

July 25, 2004

MSN is about to release an online version of its popular Instant Messaging service, reports Mess with MSN Messenger. This means you will be able to chat with your contacts very similar like you do with MSN Messenger but using just a web browser on any computer (at school, at work, at a friend’s house or anywhere you can’t install the MSN Messenger software). Much like -and probably as Microsoft’s reaction to- the currently available third party services like WBMSN.net and e-Messenger.net.

The only requirements to use MSN’s official web-based MSN Messenger are:

• A web browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Netscape 7.0 or later, or Mozilla 1.6 or later, running in Microsoft Windows;
  
• An Internet connection (56 Kbps or faster recommended);
  
• A Microsoft .NET Passport. If you have a hotmail.com or msn.com account, you already have a Passport.
  
• Popups enabled on the service’s web site if you are using popup blocker software.
  

MSN Web Messenger, as the service is called, is currently being beta-tested. A full version can be expected later this year at http://webmessenger.msn.com. During the trial the number of simultaneous connections to MSN Web Messenger is limited and that’s why I’m not publishing a direct link to the beta-site as of yet (although it’s not hard to guess the address).

Here’s an overview of the features likely to be included in MSN Web Messenger:

• group conversations,
  
• customization of your text font, size and color,
  
• emoticons (no custom emoticons!),
  
• send and receive e-mail messages,
  
• add contacts to your contact list.
  

Most probably not included in the web-based client are:

• audio/video conversations,
  
• "fun & games" applications,
  
• file exchange,
  
• display pictures, window backgrounds and custom emoticons.
  

First-ever screenshots are available at Mess with MSN Messenger.