Mac Messenger still trying to find its voice
Updated at 10:35 a.m. to note that the product has been released.
Microsoft released the latest version of its instant-messaging program for the Mac on Tuesday, though it still continues to trail its Windows counterpart when it comes to features.
The biggest change in Messenger 7 for Mac is the ability for corporate users running Office Communications Server to engage in video and audio chats with one another. For non-corporate users, the biggest changes are the ability to give nicknames to contacts and search within one's list of contacts.
Microsoft declined to offer any update on when video chat for consumers would arrive.
"We provided a look at our roadmap late last year and we remain on track--delivering A/V support to our corporate users and continuing to work with the Windows Live team to make A/V support available for (consumers)," senior marketing manager Amanda Lefebvre said in a statement.
Video chat has been available for some time on the Windows side and is a staple of Apple's iChat instant-messaging program, which is compatible with AOL's instant-messaging program, but not buddy lists from Yahoo or MSN/Windows Live.
I couldn't find a live link to Messenger 7 on Microsoft's Mac site on Tuesday, but I'll update the blog with a link when it goes live.
Update: It's now available from Microsoft's Mac downloads page and from CNET Download.com.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
Thanks,
Ina
:)
MSN do so under protest when the networks at their schools block
AIM ports in the classrooms.
regularly I wouldn't know about any updates. That is one of the
reasons I read tech news sites, to find about new or updated
products.
With this, it will not let us log in using Messenger 7. They should
have let it work with older communicators
ads like the windows version?
http://www.adiumx.com/
- Why, Microsoft? WHY NO A/V FOR PERSONAL?!
- by espeed623 April 29, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
- I was really hoping for A/V features so that I wouldn't have to be
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(9 Comments)stuck using Windows for my A/V communication. But I guess M$
likes making the poor Mac user use Windows for A/V in Messenger.
I am disappointed in you, Microsoft. Don't create hype for features
that us non-corporates won't have.