Just like we said it would when we  posted last week, Windows Live Messenger 8.1 has gone into public beta, and available for download at ideas.live.com.  According to the ideas page, the new version offers:

• Redesigned, smarter contact cards give you more data about and easier access to your friends
• Your display name, status and personalization roam with you to any computer
• Try PC-to-phone calling with two free calls to virtually any phone in the world*
• Better server performance
• Automatic updates
• Improved sign-in performance

Thanks to Liam Daly for the tip - keep sending em in at tips@liveside.net

Update:
The MessengerSays blog has their official announcement post up here.