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Windows Live Messenger Gets Social with Facebook and Twitter

by Amar Toor on April 29, 2010 at 01:30 PM

A lot has happened since Windows first launched its Live Messenger instant messaging service 14 years ago. Social networking has expanded digital communication beyond simple text, and smartphone technology has expanded it beyond the computer. In response, then, Windows has decided to revamp Live Messenger in the hopes of bringing it up to speed with a rapidly changing landscape.

Windows outlined the new messaging system in a blog post yesterday, citing these changing patterns in IM behavior as the primary impetus behind the overhaul. The new Live Messenger features high-definition video chat, video messages, and interactive games, as well as enhanced multi-tasking capabilities. Users will also be able to access files on their PCs, Bing search results and any photos and videos stored on Facebook or SkyDrive. But perhaps the most obvious change to the system is its integration with major social networking sites, like Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace, among others.

Live Messenger users will soon be able to aggregate all their contacts and news feeds from various social networking sites, and prioritize them according to their "favorites." The idea, then, is to aggregate, without overflowing. Later this year, Windows plans on integrating Facebook Chat into its IM framework, as well, allowing users to access their Facebook contacts via Live Messenger. Smartphone users will also be able to download special Live Messenger apps, and a new Messenger Companion for Internet Explorer will allow people to share links and comments from any third-party site .

For now, Windows is planning on releasing its new Live Messenger on a piecemeal basis, starting with a handful of individuals, before gradually opening up to the broader public. It's not yet clear when exactly that will happen, but you can follow all the latest developments over at the Windows preview site. [From: WindowsBlog]

Tags: chat, facebook, im, InstantMessaging, InstantMessenger, linkedin, LiveMessenger, SocialNetworking, top, twitter, web, windows

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