Strangley I'd have expected a beta version of Windows Live Mesenger 2010 to have appeared around the end of 2009, so that they could get as much fixed as possible for an early 2010 release, but as it goes it appears even the Beta hasn't been released yet.

However there are screenshots of an apparent upcoming Beta that have been leaked online. These can be found on this article. http://www.msgstuff.com/news/post/611-windows-live-messenger-2010-leaked-screenshots-reveal-new-features/

Interestingly MSN appears to have decided to listen to users for once. Apparently one of the most demanded feature for many years has been tabbed conversations. Now for those who use Messenger Plus, you'll know this is already available (I beleive it's available in Messenger Plus itself, although I could be wrong and it could be a downloable extra script). However its a popular requested feature and there are many out there who will refuse to instal messenger plus.

The new version will also include social network intergration. A rumour for the last version, 2009, also claimed to include upcoming multi video conversations, which proved wrong. This however might have simply been something MSN where developing, and it wasn't ready in time, although there is currently no word about this feature. We will just have to wait and see.

Well it's looking good... I wonder when their releasing it.

I'd expect a beta soon. Apparently it's going to be a full spring release so I heard.

I just hope their going to fix some of the problems that MSN has. It's not bad at the moment but often can have annoying bugs that instead of fixing they simply try to cover them up by throwing new stuff, new features of the top of them.

The problem is there simply throwing good stuff over bad stuff, which isn't good. You could say it's like going to one of those all you can eat buffet places where they pour hot food over cold food thats been there for a while.

I suppose on the good side it's free. There are lots of applications out there that run out of ideas so they simply put on a new coat of paint. They do a new layout, and make people think its actually new, when simply its the same thing with a new look. Sometimes they will put one new feature on so that they can say it has something new on, but the price your paying for you should really get more.

But we don't even pay for MSN so it's quite good for the service they privide.

They must make a ton off adverts though.

I generally don't like the updates, I only updated to the latest msn (or Windows Live) about a month ago because I can't be bothered to deal with working it all out again. It also slows my computer down.

Lucky theres really not that much change with the design/layouts usually with the new versions of windows live messenger.

I'm using my old computer atm after my main one died, and this is still using an RC1 of Windows 7 - a public Beta Microsoft where giving out for free a while back. I'm used to using xp and only tried it like once because I was bored really.

Using Windows 7 and used to XP takes quite a bit to get used to. For example when you hover over open applications e.g. my Firefox Browser - at the bottom, you get a list of open windows - same with MSN. The file folder thing is quite a good idea which gives you all the open folders - it makes things cleaner. Also you can hide individual icons in the taskbar. The problem is if your used to how XP works it can take a bit to get used to, and I'm not sure if there is an option to revert to the old xp style.

Vista users probably won't have any isues as I beleive in design and so, Windows 7 is pretty the same, or at least similar. I did the same thing with Vista, tried it on my main PC actually (was this one at the time). But after a few compatible issues I reverted back to XP and have since never really touched Vista.

P.S. The big issue really for Windows 7 and any current future upgrade from XP is what can it do for me? Windows 7 might look a bit different, and do things differently, but when it comes to what I use a computer for theres nothing it can do that XP can't. Does anyone else actually feel that way?

It is indeed looking good!