New in iTunes: Windows Live Messenger for iPhone now available!

By Kip Kniskern on June 21, 2010 8:42 AM

30 comments

Microsoft has just released version 1.01 of Windows Live Messenger for iPhone, and it’s available for download now from iTunes. This new app brings Windows Live Messenger, Hotmail, Windows Live social networking and more to the iPhone and iPod Touch. From the website:

Chat:
Instant message with your Windows Live Messenger and Y! Messenger contacts on the go so you’re always connected to the people that matter most. You can even receive IM notifications when your app is closed so you never miss a message.
Social:
Windows Live Messenger gives you one place to view the updates your Messenger friends are sharing from social networks like Facebook, Flickr, MySpace and more, helping you cut through the clutter on the go.
Photos:
Upload photos right from your phone to share your favorite moments with the people that matter most. Create albums, add captions, and let your friends and family comment on your photos.
Hotmail:
Access your Hotmail account without leaving the app to read, reply to, and compose emails. Get email notifications within the application so you know when you have new messages.

Version 1.0.1 of the app, released June 21, 2010, weighs in at 7.2mb, is available in English and French, and is “compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later”.

From Redmond Pie, via pp2 of LiveSino.net, thanks all!

Posted in News | Tags: Apple, iPhone, iTunes, Messenger

Comments

Orion

Nice! Trying it out now. Seems good so far :).
http://twitter.com/martinwalsh Martin Walsh

Why is it only available in the USA store? Seriously this unnecessary country by country restriction in stupid.

http://revanmj.pl/ Michał Jakubowski

We will never understand people from MS :)
Pat

This is a Beta. :) More markets soon.

http://twitter.com/jawss Jocelyn V. Englund

:( hope they make it available in SG..
Sdreamer07

Uh, so did Microsoft just stop supporting their own platforms? It’s a great app but what about us Windows Mobile users, or Zune HD users. Sad that their competitionis gettin more support from them than the prodcts they make themselves.

efjay

MS wants us to buy iphones. Just wait until they bring xbox live, silverlight and zune to the iphone as well,, then there will truly be no reason for Windows Phone to exist at all. This seems to be their ultimate goal, to use the iphone to showcase their software, rather than their own mobile OS.
CalumJR

Perhaps Microsoft are targetting the platform with the majority of Windows Live Messenger users first? It would make sense for them to eventually develop a Windows Phone or Zune application but if more WLMessenger users use the iPhone or iPod touch, it makes sense to target that first.
Carl

Umm, Messenger is already available for WM.

http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-windows-live.html

efjay

Yes and compared to the iphone version it looks like a 1.0 product while the iphone version looks like a deluxe upgrade.

http://twitter.com/sayjay09 Jamie White

This isnt fair where is our Android app :( I also hope this means that Essentials is on its way out this week aswell :D i cannot wait for that.
Snowwhiteking

How about create a USA iTunes account and then downlaod it. It may fail first time but try again. It worked for me and i live in New Zealand, so i created a USA iTunes account and downloaded it thru that account then installed it fine on iOS 4. Hope this helps.

Damaster – LiveSide.net

While we do not encourage it, creating a separate USA iTunes account does allow you to download this Messenger app (as well as the Bing app). When asked for credit card details, just select “None” when registering. Note that this does not work if you want to change the country of your existing account.
After you’ve downloaded the Messenger app, you can then safely sign out and sign back in to your regular iTunes account – the app you downloaded will still work. Do remember though, if Microsoft does update the Messenger app, you will need to sign in to your newly created USA iTunes account again to update it.

Orion

Anyone have any idea on how to sort the contact list by online status, instead of category? Also, how long will WLM keep you signed in if you enabled push notifications?

brianm76

I have yet to find this option and this is one of the many negatives I find in this release. Basic functionality should not be left out just because it is a 1.0.

John

Sounds like a great day to officially release Exchange ActiveSync support for Hotmail!!!
E Greisman

I live in israel and i have the app and the new hotmail :)!
brianm76

My excitement quicly went to disappointment as it does every time recently with products from Microsoft. I am not impressed with this release at all and will likely continue to use ebuddy or similar. Way to drop the ball again MS. I don’t know why I keep giving you chance after chance and soon I am sure I won’t.

CalumJR

You don’t seem to have described reasons for your dislike; great feedback there…

brianm76

I’m sorry, I did’t realize this was a test. I will try to tailor my posts more closely to your needs and wants going forward ;)

http://www.chadmoran.com Chad Moran

Loving it so far! Nice job Windows Live Team.
Robbie Alexander

Wow, MS making software for the iPhone is a genius move. This idea that you will bring people to your own devices by making software for it and no one else is ridiculous. This is the best form of advertising ever. Regardless MS and Apple aren’t really competitors, they are partners against Google now. Expect to see a lot more Apple and MS integration and that will be the best for all of us.

Use MS for you general purpose computing needs and Apple for you mobile needs I say.

And to brianm76 you actually like to use ebuddy? Like at all? Not even with an alternative you use it period? Wow, I purchased ebuddy and after a few days could no longer stand it for multiple reasons. I feel bad for you because I believe you have a short sighted predisposed view of Microsoft products that makes you only see them in a negative light, which most likely makes you feel tough and cool, but really you suffer without knowing it because of your naivety. Here is one factual reason to prove my point, ebuddy logs you out of your desktop client, the MS app does not. Enjoy your fragmented software experiences bud!

efjay

Google’s navigation program is only for android phones, isnt that a differenting factor that makes it more attractive? How about thier integration with gmail and their other services? No other mobile OS matches that integration, why is it such an issue if Microsoft does it with WM? Doesnt mean they cant develop for other platforms but completely ignoring their own platform is baffling and irritating to current WM users. Remember there are still a good number of WM users around, in the millions, why not support them as well?

Robbie Alexander

You do know WM7 is coming out this holiday right? You do know it will have everything you are currently asking for and probably more, eh? Do you just like to bitch and complain for fun or what? Try perceiving the world in a less cynical light and you will enjoy life much more my friend.

brianm76

@Robbie Alexander I do not love ebuddy by any stretch of the imagination but it does provide what I need. Access to my facebook and WL contacts in an easy to use app that is for me quite a bit faster than WL Messenger for Iphone. It also doesn’t crash as the WL Messenger does every few minutes. I cannot believe this was actually released the way it is. They are on the right track with the UI but functionality it is lacking.

JSYOUNG571

WOW! Microsoft just keeps on backing what I say about them and the love they show iPhone users. We (Windows Live Mobile users) have not had an upgraded Windows Live Mobile Application since last year. Last Friday a Windows Live Mobile Calendar Web version was released, but only for other web browsers and not internet explorer. Matter of fact the Online Windows Live Web Suite has been upgraded to Wave 4 for other mobile web browsers and barely internet explorer. What more proof do we need that Microsoft has TURNED AWAY FROM THEIR WINDOWS MOBILE CUSTOMERS? I thought I would never see the day in Microsoft history that they would promote a competitor’s product before they promote their own. I guess Bill Gates is a fan of the iPhone too.
Hillboy8

I heard that Messenger for iPhone does not support running in the background. I’ve always used Messenger on my WinMo to signify presence/availability, not just to chat only, so the whole background thing is kind of necessary. Can anyone confirm?

E Greisman

There will be backround when iOS 4 is releasd, plus, it uses push notifications, so it will send you a push notification once you get an im.
Orion

I’m not sure, but I’ve heard the same. I do know for a fact that they provide push notifications, though.

George

Cool :) Now we need Live Wave 4 beta!!! And can’t wait to use this on the iPhone/iPod Touch I’m getting :D

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