Microsoft has released a beta of Windows Live Messenger, the next version of its MSN Messenger instant-messaging service, it announced Tuesday.The software for the service is available for the public to download from its Windows Live Ideas website. It was available for beta testing before, but by invitation only.The new release aims to help Microsoft compete better with communications tools from Google, Skype Technologies and others. It offers a PC-to-phone calling service called Windows Live Call, and free video with voice communications called Video Conversation. Starting next week, Microsoft is extending Windows Live Call to include Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands. Windows Live Call, with service from Verizon Communications, is already offered for a fee in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. Royal Philips Electronics N.V. and Uniden will offer cordless phones designed exclusively for Windows Live Messenger, Microsoft said. They are dual phones that work over both the Internet and public-switched telephone networks. The beta service includes a “sharing folders” feature that lets users share photos and other files of any size with Messenger contacts by dragging and dropping the files into their Windows Live Messenger window. It also lets users send messages when their contacts are offline, with the messages delivered the next time the recipient logs on.-John Ribeiro, IDG News ServiceThis article is posted on our Microsoft Informer page. For more news on the Redmond, Wash.-based powerhouse, keep checking in.For related news coverage, read Microsoft Chases Online Ad Revenue With Ad Center and Microsoft Nears Massive Ad Deal.Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content brandpost Sponsored by Freshworks When your AI chatbots mess up AI ‘hallucinations’ present significant business risks, but new types of guardrails can keep them from doing serious damage By Paul Gillin Dec 08, 2023 4 mins Generative AI brandpost Sponsored by Dell New research: How IT leaders drive business benefits by accelerating device refresh strategies Security leaders have particular concerns that older devices are more vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. By Laura McEwan Dec 08, 2023 3 mins Infrastructure Management case study Toyota transforms IT service desk with gen AI To help promote insourcing and quality control, Toyota Motor North America is leveraging generative AI for HR and IT service desk requests. By Thor Olavsrud Dec 08, 2023 7 mins Employee Experience Generative AI ICT Partners feature CSM certification: Costs, requirements, and all you need to know The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification sets the standard for establishing Scrum theory, developing practical applications and rules, and leading teams and stakeholders through the development process. By Moira Alexander Dec 08, 2023 8 mins Certifications IT Skills Project Management Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe