The new MSN Messenger 5.0 for the Mac was released today! It still does not have all the features of MSN 7.0 of Windows but its much better that what I wa using

Here is a screenshot of the MSN Messenger:

The first thing you will notice is the brushed metal look and feel. Microsoft is pretty late to the game when it comes to this GUI design. Apple is probably going away from this look, (For Example Mail 2.) so this will look aged by the time (if ever) Microsoft releases 6.0 of MSN Messenger.

Another feature that was missing was the ability to show your own image while chatting with your friend.

What could be interesting is the ability to use OS X MSN with Microsoft Live Meeting. That allows people in an office to use secure messaging within their own network. I’m not sure if that is even in MSN 7 yet!

The only reason I still use MSN is the fact that my work is still done in a pro Microsoft environment and most are using MSN. Someday when I can finally convince everyone I know to move to Apple, I can start using iChat! Until that day comes, this update is long overdue and a welcomed change!