Windows Live Messenger Goes Public

Microsoft on Tuesday opened up its Windows Live Messenger Beta to the public, as well as introducing bundled VoIP service Windows Live Call in six additional markets. Additionally, Uniden and Philips have introduced cordless phones that would be compatible with the Live Call service.

The Live Call service is being provided by Verizon in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. Beginning next week, Live Call will expand to Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands, the company said.

Windows Live Contacts will also be used in the service, allowing for a single contact list across Windows Live Mail, Messenger and Spaces. Users can choose which contacts they want updated automatically, and as that contact updates their information, it would be updated in the users contact list.

"With powerful sharing, collaboration and communications tools designed to put the user firmly in control of their communications experience, Windows Live Messenger is a key part of the foundation of Windows Live," MSN and Windows Live corporate vice president Martin Taylor said.

"The several million consumers already in the managed beta have been giving us great feedback, and we're excited to make the beta of Windows Live Messenger to users worldwide."

The Windows Live Messenger service counts some 230 million users worldwide, Microsoft claims.

Download Windows Live Messenger Beta via FileForum.