A status update on Facebook, a mini blog-post on Twitter or an update of a network addition on LinkedIn can all be viewed and operated through one platform – thanks to a new and upgraded version of the Windows Live Messenger from Microsoft.
Microsoft seems to have topped its rivals in the online chat messenger space as it provides an interface for users to view updates and interact on social networking sites apart from the regular chat features, without manually logging in. Contacts from these networking sites and other online chat messengers like Gmail can also be integrated onto the new Windows Live Messenger. Additional features on the Messenger include options to appear online/invisible to particular users or a group.
“People are part of multiple social networks and through this they acquire many friends. Where Messenger comes in here is that you can chat with these people as well on a more regular basis,” says Mr Rathin Lahri, Director Online Business for Microsoft.
The new upgraded version of the messenger also allows sharing of videos from YouTube, pictures and video calling using HD picture quality even on a normal broadband connection.
Microsoft also unveiled an upgraded version of its MSN Hotmail, which integrates emails from other services like Gmail and Yahoo into the Hotmail Inbox.
Lahri said additional features here include online chat via email like the ones Gmail and Yahoo offer and grouping of emails in the form of a chain mail.
Lahri said the new version of Hotmail has also implemented more effective measures in cleaning out spam by using stringent screening of mails.