Windows Live Messenger 9.0 beta already over?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

I found the following email in my inbox today:

Hello Windows Live Messenger beta testers!

Thank you for all of your efforts to help us test the latest version of Windows Live Messenger. You are some of our most engaged and passionate customers and over the last several months you've shown us just how much you care. You've sent us more than 1000 bugs and suggestions, provided valuable feedback on Windows Live Messenger v9.0 beta in three different surveys, and posted nearly 5000 messages in the newsgroup. We value your feedback - the good and the bad - and we are ready to begin using that feedback to enhance Windows Live Messenger.

For the past several months we've been gathering feedback from not only you, but also from past beta testers' comments, other external Windows Live Messenger customers, and Microsoft employees. We've compiled a thorough list of feedback, and it's now time to shift our focus to building the new version of Windows Live Messenger. Therefore, on June 24, we will close the official beta testing program.

Before the program closes we want to make sure we've reviewed and responded to all of the bugs and suggestions you sent in. The bug form will remain open through the end of this week. The newsgroup and Connect site will remain open after the bug and suggestion forms close so you can see our responses to your bugs and discuss them with other beta testers. This is a lengthy process, so we appreciate your patience as we respond to the remaining bugs and suggestions.

The good news is that even after the beta program closes you will still be

able to use the v9.0 Beta build. Please note, since the Connect site will be closed, there will be no way to download the bits from Microsoft should you want to install the build on a new or rebuilt machine. Installations you already have will continue to work.

If you have any last suggestions or bugs you want to send us, get them in by June 6 when the bug and suggestion forms will close.

Thank you again for your enthusiasm for Windows Live Messenger and all of your efforts during this beta program. There will be another beta later this year that includes the changes we're working on now, and we hope you'll participate in that and continue to send us your thoughts!

The Windows Live Messenger Team

Receiving e-mail messages from programs in which you are a participant is a mandatory part of your participation on Microsoft Connect. You can end your participation in a program at any time by visiting Your Dashboard (http://connect.microsoft.com/dashboard/) page and choosing "End Your Participation" for that program. If you do not wish to receive non-program related e-mails from Microsoft Connect, change the contact preference you have set on Your Profile (http://connect.microsoft.com/profile.aspx). This is an unmonitored e-mail address, so do not reply to this message.

Weird - they only released one beta back in November 2007, and that's it? Hm.

[BajiRav]

I got it too. I stopped paying attention when they started closing all issues as "by design" or "will not fix". Pretty stupid waste of time IMO.

[Andrew S.]

Yeah, I got the same e-mail message, too.

[Rudy]

yea i got it last night

[Shaun N.]

I also stopped testing it when they stated they wouldn't fix alot of reported bugs

[Smigit]

I don't think it's "over" but rather they are closing it for now. the beta came out VERY early and basically right after 8.5 finished. It seems to me they are getting feedback and now will be implementing the changes needed ect and working towards a more complete build and in the future may reopen it. Probably closed the beta to prevent any swaping with request durring the actual development phase.

Thats how I read the email anyway but I admittedly don't frequent the newsgroups so it's possibly I'm right off the money.

[Calum Veteran]

Yeah, they have closed this beta. But in the email it stated that they were just going to be working on adding features from the feedback & fixing certain bugs from the bug reports; before releasing another beta (beta 2) later in the year. Thus, it will be a while before the final version of WLMessenger 9 & there will definately be at least another beta.

Edited June 4, 2008 by cJr.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

to be honest.. there isn't anything wrong with WML 8.5... I don't see the need for WLM 2008 aka 9.0

[+Mystic MVC]

to be honest.. there isn't anything wrong with WML 8.5... I don't see the need for WLM 2008 aka 9.0

Speak for yourself. :(

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 constantly reports that I have a new email (or several) when I don't. I'll go to check my Hotmail Inbox and it will be empty. When that issue is also occurring, it does not show when I receive a new email, it just will continue to say 2 emails in my inbox (even if they're none).

[Calum Veteran]

to be honest.. there isn't anything wrong with WML 8.5... I don't see the need for WLM 2008 aka 9.0

Actually, WLMessenger 8.5 is Windows Live Messenger 2008 (look at the 'About' option); therefore, WLMessenger 9.0 will probably be Windows Live Messenger 2009.

I do see a point in a newer version, although maybe not too many new core features or much of a new user interface - I hear they are allowing developers to create 3rd party applications for it (without the need for MsgPlus), so if that is right, then I do see a point in it :)

I do like some of the new features announced for it - especially the option to be able to have animated GIF images as your display pic :p

[Sean B. Veteran]

Actually cJr, the "Windows Live Messenger 2008" was a one time deal, according to a few developers. And for those who're wondering what this beta (Actually the correct term would be Alpha) was all about, here's a semi-in-depth artcile :).

[tsupersonic]

I also don't see a point for a new IM version. The functionality of WLM 8.5 works fine. How much more work can MS possibly put on WLM? I think they should release a new version with some user interface improvements and then, optimize WLM (it's kind of a memory hog), and call it a day.

[simsie]

The main issues with WLM is the unstable backend. Random errors where people can't sign on, or messages can't be sent etc. Awful performance when playing with appear offline. Sharing folders are just glitchy at best, although that may have improved now.

From what I understood bugs in the beta marked as Postponed were going to be added or atleast considered for WLM9...