Mac Mojo: Audio/Video support in Messenger for Mac next year

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One of the nifty features missing in the Messenger for Mac is Audio/Video (A/V) support. It is not possible to do a video or audio chat using the Messenger for Mac. The recent update, Messenger for Mac 7 added A/V support for corporate services (works with Office Live Communications Server 2007) but not for personal services (Windows Live Services). Mac Mojo, the Office for Mac team announced today that A/V support for personal services will be available next year as an update on Messenger for Mac.

Mac Mojo team said that the new release of Windows Live Messenger, which is currently in beta delivers a new A/V protocol which makes easier to deliver A/V support in Messenger for Mac. The new protocol developed is cross-platform compatible and this becomes more easy to develop for Mac. This is a much wanted update by many Messenger for Mac users for a long time as they had to choose another service like Skype for A/V support.

Mac Mojo team also added that the plan is to deliver a beta version of A/V in 2009 along with some additional features in both personal and corporate services. You can also visit the MacBU booth at the Macworld this year for a live demo!

#1 jmcgrew on 19 Dec 2008 - 04:48

Thank God! To bad the beta wasn't as public as the windows version.

#2 Digix on 19 Dec 2008 - 05:06

Finally thank you microsoft it's taken a decade or so but you listened and finally start delievering.

(2 replies) #3 PureLegend on 19 Dec 2008 - 06:32

We already knew this. In fact, I believe they showed it off at the last Macworld. They're just dragging their feet over it.

#3.1 Digix on 19 Dec 2008 - 07:14

PureLegend said,

Either way it saves a whole lot of time from messing round with skype which is a pain or AIM 6.x and ichat.

#3.2 Chaks on 19 Dec 2008 - 07:38

I think that would have been a demo with Office Live Communications Server. The new protocol has come out with the new Windows Live Wave Messenger which was not there during last Macworld.

#4 John. on 19 Dec 2008 - 07:52

Good news. I'm looking forward to not having to pray that skype is working.

#5 +kraized on 19 Dec 2008 - 08:32

So its coming next year but they don't say when. End of 2009 IMO.

(4 replies) #6 LTD on 19 Dec 2008 - 10:26

Instead of using MS' ported software, I'd prefer to see more time and energy put into developing our own resources, such as Adium. Getting A/V implemented on that hasn't been easy, but it'll get there.

#6.1 Chaks on 19 Dec 2008 - 10:32

LTD said,

I dont see any harm in using Microsoft products in a Mac. I dont think Messenger for Mac is a port. I think it is written for Mac using the same protocol that they use for their Messenger service. As the article says, they now have new cross-platform protocol.

#6.2 Smethead on 19 Dec 2008 - 12:40

Chaks said,

But Messenger:Mac is fugly :p

#6.3 PureLegend on 19 Dec 2008 - 13:14

I dont see any harm in using Microsoft products in a Mac.

Have you used any? They do try, I'll give them that, but Microsoft's Mac offerings aren't exactly brilliant.

#6.4 giga on 19 Dec 2008 - 14:23

Now if they would open that protocol, it would allow for some actual competition between developers to improve their software. Consumers benefit that way.

#7 cardg on 20 Dec 2008 - 12:17

Offline messages reading is all i want.
Its quite basic for not have been implemented yet!

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