Microsoft reveals MSN Messenger 6.0

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Over the last couple of days we have been going a little Messenger mad. But today Microsoft themselves have joined in the fun and decided to reveal to the world that a MSN Messenger 6 does exist. Is this because of our recent news about what those Messenger folk have been up to?

Suprisingly I awoke this morning to read a Microsoft Press Release in my inbox stating exactly what I stated yesterday just without the release dates and missing the fact MSN will be launching their MSN Radio Plus service v.soon.

According to Microsoft, MSN Messenger will include :

Significant improvements to the user interface
New personalization features
Integrated game capabilities that allow users to play checkers, double solitaire and other Zone.com games live via MSN Messenger
Integrated video and voice features that offer live, face-to-face communications between customers of MSN Messenger. Previously available as an add-on service from Logitech, consumers can take advantage of integrated webcam functionality, which allows them to show live pictures to their online buddies. Audio voice features are also available, enabling consumers to talk to each other using their PC's microphone and speakers. For Windows® XP users, video conferencing, or synchronized video and audio, will be available with MSN Messenger version 6.

Not much different from our exclusive yesterday, although they failed to mention about the logging. Check out our story yesterday and MSN's "sneak peak" page where you can see what Messenger 6.0 really looks like.

Screenshot: Webcam Support

Screenshot: New inbuilt games

View: View Our Exclusive details on Messenger 6.0

View: Microsoft's Messenger 6.0 Sneak Peak

News source: Microsoft PressPass

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(2 replies) #1 me101 on 12 May 2003 - 14:13

The sneakpeak link dunne work...

#1.1 Neobond on 12 May 2003 - 14:17

[QUOTE]Check out our story yesterday and MSN's soon to be "sneak peak" page which is currently a 404 at time of writing this.[/QUOTE]

#1.2 whistlerxp on 12 May 2003 - 14:21

lol nobody reads the stories anymore

(1 reply) #2 Yakkob on 12 May 2003 - 14:20

Microsoft don't seem to think that the 75, yes, you heard me right 75 new emoticons are *cough* 'most important' ...

#2.1 creamhackered on 12 May 2003 - 14:24

That is because they are dazed and confused. When you see these emoticons then you'll be taking your dead face and shoving it...

(1 reply) #3 als345 on 12 May 2003 - 14:42

Hey it still works at [URL=http://messenger.msn.ca/support/sneakpeek.asp]http://messenger.msn.ca/support/sneakpeek.asp[/URL]

Last edited by 11000 on 12 May 2003 - 14:49

#3.1 creamhackered on 12 May 2003 - 14:53

[neoquote=#3.0 by als345]Hey it still works at [URL=http://messenger.msn.ca/support/sneakpeek.asp]http://messenger.msn.ca/support/sneakpeek.asp[/URL] [/neoquote] Yup and I just updated the post

#4 Spectre on 12 May 2003 - 14:56

built-in games? kickass!

i hope they'll be easily accessible, like emoticons

(2 replies) #5 Koyder on 12 May 2003 - 15:01

Damn, Microsoft again seems to have proven itself to have no idea about UI designin.

#5.1 whistlerxp on 12 May 2003 - 15:08

Ehhh... That's the same design as MSN 8 And in my experience, people like MSN 8's design

#5.2 Eduardo on 12 May 2003 - 15:46

are you kidding? of course they took two or three iterations to make it right, but this UI is very good for me. In fact, there are several other IMs copying the MSN UI. Please explain me (technically) why this UI doesn't work. (don't tell me: "because I dont like it")

#6 OrangeSoul on 12 May 2003 - 15:07

great update, nice Design

#7 DjmUK on 12 May 2003 - 15:07

Anyone else notice one of the new emoticons on that sneak peak page: [IMG]http://messenger.msn.ca/images/47_47.gif[/IMG] Well, shut my mouth

#8 DjmUK on 12 May 2003 - 15:08

#5 what do you mean no idea about UI - just because you don't like it, don't mean no-one does...I myself am quite impressed with it. It gets better and better.

#9 creamhackered on 12 May 2003 - 15:09

If this works and gets past Windows Server 2003's firewall then I'll celebrate

#10 Krankerz on 12 May 2003 - 15:09

I love the design. I hated the Windows Messanger design and sound, which is why I use MSN Messanger 5.0. The colors are easier on the eyes and the sounds aren't as annoying. I can tell they've worked well on the design and hopefully they've upped the ante on the sounds again!

#11 net-cruizer on 12 May 2003 - 15:16

Sweet!!! Looks good. I may go back to MSN Messenger again afterall, unless Windows Messenger 5 gets any better.

#12 MaRkY on 12 May 2003 - 15:18

Looks great

(1 reply) #13 OrangeSoul on 12 May 2003 - 15:38

i hope they fixed the NAT file send problem

#13.1 killuminati on 12 May 2003 - 16:54

they already fixed that in MSN Messenger 5.0 Just make sure you open the right ports.

#14 Dark Vageta on 12 May 2003 - 15:41

whens this Getting Dropped i want now !!!!

#15 Bizzard on 12 May 2003 - 15:45

looks kick ass! i cant wait for it. Im a big fan of msn messenger service

(1 reply) #16 Spyder on 12 May 2003 - 16:00

[quote]Integrated video and voice features that offer live, face-to-face communications between customers of MSN Messenger. Previously available as an add-on service from Logitech, consumers can take advantage of integrated webcam functionality, which allows them to show live pictures to their online buddies. Audio voice features are also available, enabling consumers to talk to each other using their PC's microphone and speakers. For Windows® XP users, video conferencing, or synchronized video and audio, will be available with MSN Messenger version 6.[/quote] interesting! appears this is ramping up to replace Windows Messenger on XP. this appears to further confirm what Cream has been saying regarding MSN Messenger for home users, and Windows Messenger for corporate. at any rate.. if MSN Messenger 6 integrates all of the features that Windows Messenger on XP has, as well as REPLACING it (not installing 2 messengers as it does currently), I'll switch.

#16.1 JaggedFlame on 13 May 2003 - 12:17

If WM is going to be a corporate IM, I doubt it will get "replaced" by MSNMS. The distinction will probably be clearer, though.

#17 chorpeac on 12 May 2003 - 16:03

Excellent, I think this is a welcome upgrade to version 5! I like the SS's

#18 chorpeac on 12 May 2003 - 16:06

I just wish they would get rid of this windows XP Messenger and MSN Messenger. Make the darn things the same product!

#19 Windy on 12 May 2003 - 16:08

The most important question yet to be asked is will the API be visible to us Xp programmers?!?!?

#20 cheekymonkey on 12 May 2003 - 16:14

It has been obvious for a while really that MS was going to align the UIs of MSN Explorer and Messenger. Once it became apparent that Windows Messenger was going to have a corporate focus, a la Greenwich, then it became logical to have a consistant design for the MSN products. Why launch Messenger from within MSN Explorer for it to appear with a basic, old style UI? Heck, Windows is going / has gone all shiny so why not an app for the home user? Let's just hope that MSN Messenger never goes as wacky as 3 Degrees though. As Spyder said, well done Monsieur Creamy!!

#21 Spidoinkel on 12 May 2003 - 16:27

How come the guy says "get ready to king me" when they just started? my guess is that hes gonna lose.

#22 killuminati on 12 May 2003 - 17:05

I just came...

#23 xStainDx on 12 May 2003 - 17:24

Microsoft Has some real talented Artists under their belt =O)

#24 stezo2k on 12 May 2003 - 18:24

wow, that looks amazing

cant wait to use it

(1 reply) #25 Spyder on 12 May 2003 - 18:37

i can't view the screenshots

i get this message The image “http://messenger.msn.com/images/msnmsgr6.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. weird huh?

#25.1 scarbittenross on 12 May 2003 - 22:47

This is a problem with Firebird/Mozilla.. just use IE instead

#26 kainashi on 12 May 2003 - 18:41

it gets the look of msn 8.x, love it.

#27 Kombatant on 12 May 2003 - 19:36

Plz tell me that i am going to be able to enlarge the webcam window so it's not stamp-sized on high resolutions like it is today... that's why i still use Netmeeting...

#28 Drimacus on 12 May 2003 - 19:58

i just hope it'll get leaked soon

#29 reaper1576 on 12 May 2003 - 20:34

looks like a nice improvement it looks a bit like WMP9

#30 hobsgrg on 12 May 2003 - 20:37

looks very nice

#31 dafinga on 12 May 2003 - 20:50

azzz

#32 Dessimat0r on 12 May 2003 - 20:59

Its "Sneak Peek"

#33 DjmUK on 12 May 2003 - 22:22

[b]#25 Spyder[/b] the link works for me.

#34 longwilli on 12 May 2003 - 22:25

ok i am gunna say it, IT LOOKS LIKE A FRIGGING TOYBOX

there its said

#35 Joshie on 12 May 2003 - 23:35

Initial impression: 1) Yucky interface. Great features, sure. But that looks like an interface that screams "YOU CAN'T SKIN MEH NO MATTER HOW BAD YOU WANT TO! AHAHAHAHA" 2) Is this the first implementation of buddy icons? I don't remember it in any previous version. It's about time. But I bet there's still... 3) No profiles. A lot of people will step up and say they aren't that important, and the cheesy member profiles are perfectly fine...but no. No. They suck. I want AIM style profiles. But oh well.

#36 Tai on 13 May 2003 - 01:59

Looks good

... hope they have a resume send/receive for files ...

#37 Chiefie on 13 May 2003 - 03:02

Just wondering... will it hide the window border (like WMP8/9) and only show up when you float/hover your mouse over the edge. I like the UI interface ONLY if it hides the window border and keep just the MSN8.x's UI... i reckon it would look better, without the window border on the whole time.

#38 c0de1 on 13 May 2003 - 07:19

Sounds great but is there also a option to appear offline and still can chat ?? that will be awesome... i think

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