Some more on the Hotmail update: Web Messenger, Calendar (?), Today pane updated

Although Windows Live Wire posted on the scrolling option update today, it looks like Hotmail has snuck in a few more bits along the way.  The most noticeable difference is the inclusion of Web Messenger, now built in to Hotmail:

HMwebmsgr

Now you can open a conversation window with your Messenger contacts from within Hotmail (popping up a new window)

HMmsgrconvo

Now it looks like these features are just now being rolled out, as the Messenger sign in from Hotmail has appeared and then disappeared again a few times, and the Messenger contact list is pretty iffy – contact icons seem to appear and disappear at random.  But Web Messenger is working, at least temporarily.

It also looks like the Hotmail Today page is back:

HotmailToday

It appears when you sign in to Hotmail, at least until you change the settings to make it go away.

Picturepan2 thinks that Calendar may have been updated too, due to a new icon, and it does seem snappier, but that may just be wishful thinking.

We’ll keep an eye out for more changes, and as always let us know if you spot anything

Comments

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    I don’t see any updates on any of my Live accounts…

    :(

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    Meh, might as well be useful:

    New updates (Web Messenger) are not available as of this comment on the following Windows Live Hotmail servers:

    bay135, bay144, col103, bay117, blu117

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Kip-Kniskern/default.aspx Kip Kniskern

    I’m on bay 107 and am still seeing it, although it did “blink off” once, but then reappeared.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    It appears that I have the MSN Today page on my Hotmail account, but none of the other changes (Windows Live OneCare attachment scanning, as shown in your WebMessenger pic or Web Messenger it’s self)

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    Woah!

    Just found out something!

    If you go to the directory that the Web Messenger is located in your screenshot, it’ll let you go there on a different server (at least bay 135)!

    Doesn’t work, though :/…

    I also note that your server is by107df-w.bay107 instead of by107w.bay107.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/CalumJR/default.aspx CalumJR

    I had the earlier updates with the scrolling, etc, because it told me, but I have yet to see WebMessenger, etc.

    Kip, may you find out for me if the update you are seeing supports the Windows Live dynamic themes please? I have the tree theme and hate the horrible orange one which shows up on the static themes.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/CalumJR/default.aspx CalumJR

    By the way, didn’t we always have the Hotmail today page? :/

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    @CalumKR: Yeah, that’s what I thought…

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    Add bay128 to the list…

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Kip-Kniskern/default.aspx Kip Kniskern

    Yup I think the Today page was there, I just had it turned off. And just went back to check on bays etc. and I’m not seeing Web Messenger again. It’s possible that the bay 107df was from the private beta, but that closed on Dec 1, so not even sure about that. PicturePan2 and I both had Web Messenger, but he was on the private beta too. Anyway good to know it’s getting close ;). Sorry can’t check on the dynamic themes, I’ll keep my eyes open.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    Meh, I always like get invited, but never accepted into the Windows Live private betas, although I do get into some…

    I just found that https://messidog.live.com/ is down.

    Nearing release, I guess…

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    Wait, look what I found here: http://messidog.live.com/!

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/DeathSeeker/default.aspx DeathSeeker

    No update on bay119

    *Clicks orionll’s link*

    “An error has occurred.
    There’s a problem with the Windows Live Web Messenger service right now. Please try signing in again later. If you have a different account, you may want to try signing in with that one. “

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/orionll/default.aspx orionll

    That’s what I had meant. I’m thinking that they may be upgrading the servers…

    Current list of not updated Windows Live Hotmail servers:

    bay135, bay144, col103, bay117, blu117, bay128, bay 119

  • jntowers

    I’ve always had the Today page, but had it turned off. Now, however, whether turned off or on, it always shows up. Annoying… Today page is a waste (for me), so I like going straight to the inbox. Anybody else having this issue with the Today page coming up no matter what?

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Edgar-J_2E00_/default.aspx Edgar J.

    @orionll I have seen this error on that web page, have been there years now.