Big changes at MSN

Ant · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 18.25

I've just been reading an article about a major shake-up to MSN coming soon. To cut a long story short, MSN Messenger is changing into 'Windows Live Messenger', Hotmail is going to be 'Windows Live Mail' and the famous MSN butterfly is retiring!

Also coming soon is 'Microsoft Office Live', a new set of Internet-based services for growing and managing a business online. Image here.

Other changes include Windows Live Safety Centre, Windows Live Favourites and Windows OneCare Live.

Somehow I can't imagine people saying 'I'll be on Windows Live Messenger tonight', but apparently everything is going to be integrated so it should be interesting.

Here's a screenshot of the Messenger 8 contact list.

Sources: Live.com, Developer's Blog, Neowin, Mess with MSN Messenger.

James H · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 18.44

Antz wrote:I've just been reading an article about a major shake-up to MSN coming soon. To cut a long story short, MSN Messenger is changing into 'Microsoft Live Messenger', Hotmail is going to be 'Microsoft Live Mail' and the famous MSN butterfly is retiring!

Also coming soon is 'Microsoft Office Live', a new set of Internet-based services for growing and managing a business online. Image here.

Other changes include Windows Live Safety Centre, Windows Live Favourites and Windows OneCare Live.

Somehow I can't imagine people saying 'I'll be on Microsoft Live Messenger tonight', but apparently everything is going to be integrated so it should be interesting.

Here's a screenshot of the Messenger 8 contact list.

Sources: Live.com, Developer's Blog, Neowin, Mess with MSN Messenger.

I think they've missed out London Live

Luke-H · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 18.55

As long as I can still use Windows Messenger, I'm happy. I don't need any of the extras in MSN, I'm happy using a program without ads, winks, custom emoticons (which everybody seems to use nowadays. So annoying), display pictures etc. It sends messeges, I can use webcam and voice if I want to, I'm happy.

Jamez · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 19.13

the MSN name is universally known by people around the world. It would be madness to change the name of such an incredibly popular brand.

I love the MSN butterfly logo - I think it's perfect.

Why change something if it isn't broke? :roll:

Chris · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 19.14

The "Live" stuff sound utterly wanky.

It seems stupid to axe one of their most well known brands, replacing it with something unheard of.

wells · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 19.30

And people will still call it MSN, I just cant imgan people saying be on Live Messenger tonight.

wells · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 19.37

nodnirG kraM wrote:they *don't* own the copyright of everything you send/receive.

But that would hardley bother your average MSN/Hotmail User.

Ant · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 19.51

nodnirG kraM wrote:And to get rid of the Hotmail name is ... frankly suicide!

Yeah, a big mistake there! That will effect MSN quite a bit, as Hotmail is worldwide brand. I wonder what the e-mail domain will be. @live.com maybe?

I take it no accounts will be transferred to live.com then?

David · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 20.00

There is a site at live.com, it's a Windows site and has a load of RSS feeds.

Charlie Wells · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 20.51

Looks like this will be the new site for hotmail and messenger, as it's got information about it.
http://ideas.live.com/

Ant · Wed 02 Nov, 2005 21.20

Charlie Wells wrote:Looks like this will be the new site for hotmail and messenger, as it's got information about it.
http://ideas.live.com/

Yeah, Live.com looks a bit dodgy in Firefox but they're fixing the problem. Already made my homepage on IE though.