Microsoft axing MSN for Mac, new client soon?

A Microsoft employee yesterday unveiled plans for a messenger client for Mac OS X during a presentation at the Georgia Institute of Technology's IEEE Student Branch, according to one blogger. Microsoft will reportedly be killing off MSN Messenger for the Mac, and will replace it with a new as-of-yet unnamed client. This may not come as much of a surprise, since the Mac version of the instant message client has not seen any significant updates in recent months, and is missing many features from the Windows-based client – such as webcam functionality. [updated]

Although details were scarce in regards to the Mac client, the features are reported to be on-par with upcoming Windows Live Messenger v9.0, adding support for AIM, Google Talk, and ICQ handles. A release date has not been announced, but it may be ready for the Windows client's late 2008 - early 2009 release date.

Update: Microsoft has told us briefly that Messenger for the Mac is still "alive and kicking and is not being terminated", but MacNN is waiting for more details and a follow-up to this third-party report.

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