Exclusive: MSN Messenger 7.0 Revealed

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Back in May, 2003 we exclusively revealed MSN Messenger 6.0. This time around it's 6.0's bigger brother, 7.0. MSN Messenger is clearly progressing in this early look at 7.0. You now have the ability to sign in as busy/away/offline etc which will please a lot of people. 3 Degrees is finally encorporated into MSN Messenger (something I had been writing about for more than a year). The interface is cleaner, smarter and the features are great!

Winks: Winks allow you to send kisses, hearts and all sorts of silly cartoons to your contacts.

Nudge: Nudge allows you to send a "shake" to your contact. Both your own and your contacts MSN Messenger window will shake, much like how Internet Explorer windows shake using the correct javascript.

Download packs: Download packs will allow users to grab winks/emoticons/display pictures and backgrounds straight from MSN. As these currently don't work we were unable to test them.

Games: Chess Club, Bankshot Billiards Club are included if you're a Instant Games Clubhouse member. Standard Checkers/Solitaire Showdown/Bejeweled/Minesweeper Flags and Tic Tac Toe are still included.

Activities: Activities allow you to share files, calendars, photos and perform tasks such as remote assistance.

Deluxe Display Pictures: Although these are unavailable it seems like MSN are going to supply animated display pictures.

The build in question is 7.0.0205 and carries the beta tag throughout. The main MSN Messenger window is redesigned to show your display picture and includes the ability to scroll through tabs. There's no new options in the main options menu but you can change the position of the tab icons. When a contact signs in using MSN Messenger 6 or above you get the contacts display picture on the sign in toast. Custom emoticons are still the same, they still do not animate or allow animated GIFs etc. Check out the screenshots below for more features and the general user interface. MSN Messenger 7.0 is expected to be released into beta on November 11 with a general "MSN Messenger Wave 10" release as late as February 2005. We'll keep you updated but for now enjoy the screenshots.

Screenshots removed at the request of Microsoft

Cont...

Currently SCi has released no details of what it's planning to do with Highlander, but creative director Patrick O'Luanaigh weighed in with his thoughts on the franchise, which the company clearly reckons has a lot of potential. You can see his point, too - it is, after all, a game about scary men with big swords hacking each other up.

"There are so many great opportunities with such a rich licence as the Highlander franchise," O'Luanaigh commented. "We will be working closely with Peter Davis and Bill Panzer to develop the Highlander universe further. The concept is ideal for a game."

It's not yet clear whether there will "be only one" Highlander game, but there will be only one 'be only one' gag in this item. Except those two. Ignore 'em. And expect to hear more about Highlander soon.

(5 replies) #1 Mx² on 29 Sep 2004 - 19:57

WOW

Amazing, thanks creamy.

#1.1 idoia on 30 Sep 2004 - 13:43

so this picture was just fake

#1.2 bangbang023 on 30 Sep 2004 - 14:14

That's just a mockup created by some fans of messenger.

#1.3 T.J on 01 Oct 2004 - 18:35

if you give me the link or download file in a email send it to to and you get a free gmail invitation

(everyone can sent the link/file and i mean msn messenger 7 and NOT the screenshots of them. if you send the real beta of msn messenger 7 then ou get a gmail invite

Last edited by John S. on 26 Dec 2008 - 22:12

#1.4 kooji on 02 Oct 2004 - 08:28

hi....i don't have msn messenger 7 but really i wana the free gmail invitation plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz so if u can send it to me to abdmid@yahoo.com plz..i really need it

#1.5 sentoni on 07 Oct 2004 - 14:52

If anyone wants a copy of MSN 7.0 BETA shall mail me at sentoni (at) hotmail (dot) com and tell me what he offers.

#2 empty on 29 Sep 2004 - 19:57

looks a lot like that supposed fake in windows beta

(10 replies) #3 bangbang023 on 29 Sep 2004 - 19:58

Um and people complain about the bloatedness of AIM? I use both but the contact list is getting smaller and smaller in MSN with each major release. Also, things like the nudge and those "winks" or whatever are very similar to what's in YIM 6.0.

I'm not trying to start a flame war, it's just that everyone here praises MSN like crazy and I can't see why.

#3.1 Zone-MR on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:13

Couldn't agree more. Windows Messenger 4.x was nice and clean, looked proffessional, and supported basic IM flawlessly. People began to switch to it, from annoyingly bloated clients like ICQ.

Then they decided to add custom emoticons, advertising banners, MSN today, tabs, a welcome screen, 3 degrees, games, display backgrounds, etc, killing the only advantage MSN had over other clients - simplicity and a clean interface.

Nowadays I just use Miranda IM for everything. It has a great plugin architecture, so I can choose from hundreds of features, but prevent bloat by installing only the ones I need.

#3.2 Ehrihk on 29 Sep 2004 - 22:30

Zone, you need to think about something for a sec. Many IM users are basic computer users who want everything in one spot and who love to mess with useless stuff. These are the same people who use Homestead to make their website and put crap like following trails on the mouse pointer or use the Comet Cursor crap.

We like to keep it simple, but Microsoft isn't aiming at people like us when making software.

#3.3 Slugbait on 29 Sep 2004 - 22:54

QUOTE

Microsoft isn't aiming at people like us when making software

Sure they are. They're still doing Windows Messenger, right? Heck, I just upgraded a few weeks ago to the most-recent build of v5.0...

#3.4 PimpinWithAaron on 29 Sep 2004 - 22:55

bloated? get a life dude

#3.5 bangbang023 on 30 Sep 2004 - 01:31

Yes bloated. I have a life thank you. I use it to provide well thought out opinions on a subject. Why not try to do the same?

#3.6 Rudy on 30 Sep 2004 - 01:32

it is bloated

#3.7 Dale on 30 Sep 2004 - 02:45

wait and see what this really shows up. you might be surprised. overall i agree with bangbang, it has too much of a hype

#3.8 Goalie_CA on 30 Sep 2004 - 05:35

What's not bloated about it. IT would try and walk your dog if it only had little wheels to roll around on.

#3.9 Nidonocu on 30 Sep 2004 - 07:07

MSN is not as bloated as the other IM's, but I actually use Trillian Pro since it supports all 5 mediums and gives me one clean contact list the and the features I need and use. (See talking and filesending.)

#3.10 idoia on 30 Sep 2004 - 13:30

for one I like all those funny things, and many more people do also. the best prove is Mess.be and all the add-ons, custom pics, emoticons, you can put to your messenger . the things I don't like are always easy to hide. just go to toolbars---> show , etc

#4 timdorr on 29 Sep 2004 - 19:58

"Share Fun Activities" - Yeah, looking at someone's calendar is wicked "fun"

(5 replies) #5 Tantawi on 29 Sep 2004 - 19:59

Just, waw

Yahoo was copying MSN 6, now MSN reply with version 7

#5.1 bangbang023 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:00

How the heck did they copy MSN? Yahoo had features that both AIM and MSN just added in, years ago.

#5.2 Tantawi on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:04

Yahoo did copy the whole new look of YIM 6 from MSN 6, the display picture things, etc, it's very similar! Now MSN is adding Winks, and such silly stuff! Like yahoo did... This is just a personal opnion, you can agree or not

#5.3 bangbang023 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:07

If anything, the display picture thing is copied from AIM since it had buddy icons before either of them did.

#5.4 TheShadow on 30 Sep 2004 - 11:59

Nothing nowadays is orignal...

#5.5 comdoc818 on 01 Oct 2004 - 04:18

Tantawi,

Microsoft has had some of YIM's features since threedegrees launched 2003/10/23.

@Matthew

(1 reply) #6 jmc777 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:01

Meh.....not impressed.

#6.1 tiagosilva29 on 30 Sep 2004 - 01:34

Ditto. Plus, I won't be using that if I'll with Linux, almost for sure.

#7 xStainDx on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:01

Creamy Share!!!! You Torture us with this **** all the time!!

(1 reply) #8 Callaway on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:02

Helllooooooo? Where's the enterprise version of Messenger? Com on billy...

#8.1 y_notm on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:38

windows messenger 5 has been out for a while, since LCS2003 was released. That's your enterprise messenger, don't expect to see a msn branded one... um, ever. MSN is for consumers

#9 Mx² on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:02

Yea,

mass pm a secret download link

#10 rbet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:03

really cool!

#11 Sawyer12 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:03

Doesnt look like the main window has changed much, Although its a beta so we shall see how it develops.

#12 Trix on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:03

creamy is the evil! share! now!

please?

#13 welshkid on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:04

sweet

#14 SimNet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:05

i want it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#15 TGD on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:05

I really like the display pics being shown when you a contact comes online. I'm sure it'll be leaked sometime

(1 reply) #16 bingham. on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:05

im not asking where you got it from but how exactly did you get the beta version? are you an actuall beta tester for it or something?

#16.1 Trix on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:06

Cream likes hacking into ms it's his fav hobby

#17 Black Raven on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:05

This looks good i hope it will come out soon.

#18 OfF3nSiV3 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:06

hum..i like the emoticon manager..maybe it has some nice details but msn plus is enough

#19 Daimaah on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:07

Ah, at least something familiar with MSN Concept... I like the new Contact List with the own DP and stuff.

(1 reply) #20 Trajik 2600 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:08

I want offline messaging in MSN, like the Yahoo feature. I'd use yahoo, but all my contacts are on MSN

#20.1 TheShadow on 30 Sep 2004 - 11:56

Try Messenger Discovery, it supports this feature. MD is a bit too buggy for my liking, some great features though

#21 hardgiant on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:08

I'm still using Windows Messenger 4.7

(5 replies) #22 sumeet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:08

Removed

Last edited by 98 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:23

#22.1 Trix on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:10

cool! thanks dude!

#22.2 xStainDx on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:10

lame.

#22.3 sumeet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:12

lol you clicked it

#22.4 sumeet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:24

why link removeD? i never put anything bad

#22.5 msn_crazy_100 on 30 Sep 2004 - 15:14

Please if you have the link send it too me please at daniel-n@ntlworld.com

#23 jcgamer60 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:09

if only it looked like msn concept.....

#24 bingham. on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:09

Damn, i wanna no how u got the beta version

#25 galoosh33 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:09

COOL

#26 jameseuk on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:09

Nudge: Nudge allows you to send a "shake" to your contact. Both your own and your contacts MSN Messenger window will shake, much like how Internet Explorer windows shake using the correct javascript.

now I'm sure another messenger has that feature

#27 Hurmoth on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:10

Awesome! Thanks for the new creamy!

#28 fredfries on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:10

interestingg... although they havent changed much thingss... its purely on the interface level... for the end user itll be different, but for the rest?

#29 bingham. on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:10

whats with the pointless link??

#30 ansti on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:11

Does't look much different. More like a 6.5 than a new version 7.0.

#31 R-Style on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:13

Is there someone got a beta!!!!!!!

(9 replies) #32 chouli on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:19

i'd prefer to get that :

msn concept

Last edited by 32912 on 29 Sep 2004 - 22:53

#32.1 rbet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:45

me too!

#32.2 jameseuk on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:50

would u mind resizing that pic or putting a link to the image,just u've made the page look poo.

#32.3 Faiden on 29 Sep 2004 - 21:05

some features like the image icones in the user list sure

#32.4 nX07 on 29 Sep 2004 - 21:09

Agreed! But hey.. I'll take ether one!!

#32.5 moeburn on 29 Sep 2004 - 21:22

I love the way that in today's society, only black people are cool

#32.6 Axel on 29 Sep 2004 - 21:23

Agreed... that looks way better. Hate the new look of messenger... seems outdated. I like some of the new features but otherwise...

#32.7 robpears on 29 Sep 2004 - 21:35

ye that looks damn good but the new one will do i guess

#32.8 The_Decryptor on 30 Sep 2004 - 03:44

That's one nice concept, very aero-ish

#32.9 Nidonocu on 30 Sep 2004 - 07:08

Um.. I want that concept's babies. O_O

#33 StOrM on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:19

I want it

#34 chorpeac on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:19

I like the options screen, what else is really different? Maybe better firewall breaking support?

#35 diabulos on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:21

Actually, I think the latest version of Yahoo messenger is more mature, fun to use and usable than MSN messenger. MSN messenger many times cannot connect audio or video or P2p window if the user's ISP does not have certain server protocols in place (happens a lot with Latin America and some asian countries. Yahoo works like a charm in all instances. The concept of Weme is daff, Yahoo has a more interesting avatar idea, much like the Sims. Yahoo has radio available and can show weather or news or calendar or contacts from your yahoo account on the lower part of the application windows, allowing you to use a variety of information at a glance, MSN MEssenger has the tabs which I end up not using because many times they freeze, or fail to pull the info like the money tab. Overall, design and in performance, yahoo seems to me classier, more universal and efficient and easier to use than MSN Messenger 6 (or 7 for what I see).

#36 XP_01 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:22

I wish microsoft used some nicer icons

(1 reply) #37 Kushan on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:23

Bloat bloat bloat, I don't see anything there that will make me want to upgrade any time soon except for maybe animated display pics. In fact the only reason I would upgrade is if I got ahold of the Beta, just so I can show off to friends like I did with Version 6 back in July

I think Plus is a better alternative, it adds far more useful things that Microsoft ever will.

#37.1 matric on 30 Sep 2004 - 12:18

Plus IS NOT an alternative. It is simply a program that adds extra functionality to the base program.

#38 divertom15 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:24

Its just to show off

we will all be able to download it at the usual places by this time next week.

(1 reply) #39 R-Style on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:24

is it fake... I don't think so!!!!!!!

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=214051&st=0

#39.1 sumeet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:25

so creamy is a liar?

*smacks whoever says its fake with a trout*

#40 Porp on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:24

Looking Good!

#41 Robbeke on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:25

post of chouli: looks cool

MSN 7 screens: looks so f*cking ugly... i really don't want it

#42 Larney on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:25

chouli, ffs link to that picture? It makes the window far too big...

And nice creamy

#43 TheShadow on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:26

Looking good, now i want a copy

(1 reply) #44 R-Style on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:27

I don't say creamy is an liar.

There are much people say a short time ago that MSN messenger 7.0 will never come out so quikly!!!!!

#44.1 sumeet on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:28

yes whoops read your post wrong

#45 cjb1118 on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:28

Looks nice

#46 R-Style on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:28

Creamy fantastic post!!!!!!!!!

#47 R-Style on 29 Sep 2004 - 20:29

Is it possible to post more screenshots.....

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