Microsoft has released the final version of a Windows Live Messenger instant-messaging service  that works on “almost all” phones, according to a company official.

The new Live Messenger release isn’t as full-featured as the customized Windows Live Messenger and other Windows Live services that Microsoft has released in conjunction with Nokia (for its S40 and s60 phones) and HTC (for the T-Mobile Dash). Instead, it’s more of a least-common-denominator-type release.

The new Live Messenger version, which can be downloaded for free from mobile.msn.com, comes in “two flavors,” blogged Phil Holden, Director, Windows Live: A WAP 1.X version and a WAP 2.x version that includes “a decent XHTML/HTML browser in it,” according to Holden. The new Messenger will work on any WAP phones, not just Windows Mobile ones. Holden explained:

“Although this (new Windows Live Messenger build) doesn’t provide the full functionally that you would find on Windows Live for Windows Mobile or Windows Live for Nokia it provides a fast, clean, and simple instant message service for your mobile device that works on almost all phones. The core proposition is that it shouldn’t be a hassle to use mobile instant messaging, with an interface that is familiar and easy to use.”

The just-released Windows Live Messenger build includes:

• Rich emoticons support
• The ability to view and manage up to five active conversations
• THe capability to change the display names, status etc
• Access to Live Contacts, with the ability to search contacts, hide offline contacts, etc.

Windows Live, Messenger, WLM, Windows Live Messenger, Release, Microsoft, Phones

Source:→ ZDNet Blog