Microsoft has released the latest beta version of Windows Live MSN Messenger 9.0 (2008) to private beta testers at Microsoft Connect. Some of the new features available in Live Messenger 9.0 Beta as per Mess.be include:

- Sign-in and messaging in multiple locations up to four at once (like Skype)
- Signature sounds.
- Per contact sounds.
- SPAM Reporting: Report and block users who spam you via IM.
- Animated Display Pictures - supports animated .gif files as display pictures.
- Link in Personal Status Message - URLs in Personal Status Messages are hot and clickable in the Messenger contact list.
- Windows Live Contacts Server - wlcomm.exe runs in the background to keep your contacts’ information up-to-date and helps Messenger sign you in faster.
- Changes to sign-in, connectivity, presence, sending text IM’s, voice & video features.

Signing in from multiple locations is not a good idea since currently one can use the feature to if you had forgotten to log out from another computer.

In a related news, a new beta of Windows Live Web Messenger with the following features is also being tested internally at messidog.live.com and should be available shortly to the public:

+ Ability to change your display name, display picture, personal message and status
+ Similar look to Windows Live Messenger PC client
+ Send emoticons and nudges
+ Contact options including groups and word-wheel searching
+ No more multiple windows: Multi-chat view to show mini stacked conversations or full window view to show one conversation and then choose others from a list on the right

To signup for the beta and download Windows Live MSN Messenger 9.0 for Windows Vista and XP, visit connect.microsoft.com. You have to fill out a survey before Microsoft can accept you.