Torres Talking: MSN Messenger

Video Conversations

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 00:19:02 GMT

If you are a sucker for video conversations in MSN Messenger (or AIM or Yahoo) you will probably like this webcam (below). This may be the first webcam for Windows that can rival Apple's iSight. High quality video & audio (640x480, 1.3MP, 30fps, USB2) with a built-in microphone and accompanying headset.

And it (finally) mounts right onto the top of your monitor for a more natural conversation.

I still think iChat AV on the Mac offers the best video conferencing available, but MSN Messenger is a very close second. I have been having a great time with the full-screen mode and full-duplex audio. I get the same response from people when I show them MSN today as I did when I demo'ed iChat AV last year: "HOLY ****!"

Logitech is also offering Video Effects like avatars and accessories you can add to your image. Crazy. Things sure have come along since I bought my first webcam in 1994 (a grayscale QuickCam that used the parallel port!) Video conversations are finally going mainstream.

Did I mention this camera is available for pre-order for just $82 on Amazon? The iSight is still almost twice as much - OUCH!

Read more -> QuickCam Fusion

From MSN Messenger to Google Talk

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 02:21:06 GMT

Classic letter "from" MSN Messenger to Google Talk. Click below for more.

Quote

To: Google Talk....From: MSN Messenger
But I love this about us, I love that we’re so different because it means that we have a lot to learn from each other. Maybe you will build up a robust feature set and I will improve my usability. Maybe your straightforward interface will bring people into the IM markets who have been intimidated out of it by the more complex clients. By using one another as role models, we both have a chance to improve and become the best IM clients we can be, making all of our users that much better off (and our mothers proud!)

Get MSN Messenger 7.5 NOW

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 18:57:59 GMT

MSN Messenger 7.5 is now available! Check out Leah's IMUnplugged for more.

Quote

MSN Messenger 7.5 - I can't believe It's Not Beta

The brand new MSN Messenger 7.5 is here. And trust me, it's in your interest to upgrade (or download...whichever way gravity sends you

MSN Messenger space

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 05:58:33 GMT

Leah, a new addition to what is becoming a formidable gang of MSN bloggers, will be providing details on the new MSN Messenger over the next few days/weeks along with other members of the team.

Check out her MSN Space once it is available (later tonight or tomorrow) and be the first to learn what's up!

Scoble gets a gift; Messenger limit doubled

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 06:19:24 GMT

The MSN Messenger contact list limit just doubled. It went from a max limit of 150 up to 300. Enjoy.

(I know, Robert, you need it to be 1,000. But it's a start!)

MSN Messenger Audio

Mon, 17 Jan 2005 01:28:54 GMT

I was just sitting in Starbucks IM'ing with CarmenZ (feel better!) about Napolean Dynamite when an invitation to start an audio conversation popped up in MSN Messenger. I accepted the invite and within seconds heard Carmen laughing about Uncle Rico in my headphones. Since I was in Starbucks and I didn't want to be too loud, I was basically whispering... wondering if Carmen could hear me. Turns out she could - and the quality was outstanding! None of that talking over each other junk that used to happen with audio chat.

I was pretty impressed. The homeless guy half-asleep on the couch next to me kept looking at me like I was nuts for talking to my laptop, but it felt pretty natural - as if Carmen were sitting right there. She told me that the audio feature has been improved in the new Messenger beta, which may explain why I was so surprised at how well it worked.

How does this feature compare to Skype or iChat AV? I can't say for sure, I really need to play with it more. iChat is one of my all-time favorite applications and the primary reason I had my mom buy an iMac in 2003. The videoconferencing feature is second to none, and the audio support is pretty slick as well. The first time I used it (with my iSight camera), I almost fell out of my seat. Of course, the downside is that both parties need to be using a Mac to really benefit (the quality drops off significantly with AIM for Windows to the point of almost being unusable.)

Anyway, if you haven't tried the audio conversation feature in the new Messenger beta, give it a shot and let me know how you like it (or don't like it!) I can pass the information on to the team.