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Microsoft axing MSN for Mac, new client soon?

updated 06:20 pm EST, Tue November 6, 2007

Possible new MSN client

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.

 
Previous Comments

icq?

11/06, 06:34pm reply

oh goody i can't wait 'til i can use icq again.

JohnnyFive

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2003

0

Late 2008?

11/06, 06:41pm reply

Well, as long as the current version still works. Let's hope for a public beta release...

64stang06

Mac Elite

Joined: Aug 2007

0

ichat support?

11/06, 06:56pm reply

Oh, how I wish we could have support for MSN in iChat... Adware MSN client? No thanks! I'll just keep using Adium...

WiseWeasel

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 1999

0

MSFT/Mac

11/06, 07:02pm reply

Knowing Microsoft, it'll probably be a Web 2.0 app, that uses active X. Oops.

sailin74

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2002

0

soooo

11/06, 07:07pm reply

So they are killing msn messanger, and releasing a new app to replace it. Soooo sounds like they are upgrading the app and trying to get maximum press out of it.

l008com

Professional Poster

Joined: Jan 2000

0

Typical Microsoft

11/06, 07:18pm reply

In typical Microsoft fashion, they announce a new product that will be wonderful... when they get around to releasing it a year from now. Anyone care to bet as to when it's actually going to appear?

nhmlco

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2007

0

If...

11/06, 08:02pm reply

a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it... I guess Macnn will report it.

Okonomiyaki

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2003

0

trillian

11/06, 08:08pm reply

for OS X is in alpha right now I think. That's my answer to the MSN Messenger for Mac non-story.

I've never tried Fire, which is no longer under development, but I'm downloading it now...

climacs

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2001

0

aMSN

11/06, 09:01pm reply

a sadly underlooked free client that supports a lot of features that the MS "Mac version" doesn't

Yes webcams people - do video chat with your benighted Windows Live Messenger wedded chums....

Unfortunately sound still is not working - but h*** if some lone coder can make a Mac "MSN/Live Messenger" client that works with cams why the h*** can't MS?

Draw your own conclusions

PS - I vote for Proteus, but obviously have to mention the great Adium and look forward to a real Mac Trillian... (but none of them do cams afik)

Serenak

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2007

0

Fire

11/06, 09:03pm reply

I loved Fire... but it is dead

the coders went over to Proteus or Adium

Adium is bigger and may "win" in the end - but I like Proteus and will use it until it is no longer available or supported.



Serenak

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2007

0

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