Mac users have always been a step behind in Microsoft’s Windows Live Messenger service software; I was hoping Messenger 7 would bring us up-to-date with the Windows users, but it seems this is just a minor update. Users are presented with the familiar Microsoft Messenger interface, which now has a new icon and a search bar at the top of the contact list, along with a better notifications dialog box, but these are the only noticeable changes.
Messenger now includes Bonjour support, so you can chat over your local network without needing an internet connection. There is also now the option to give your contacts a nickname. I find this especially useful, because a lot of Windows Live users don’t use their real names as display names; this lets you add the real name.
This isn’t an impressive update to Microsoft Messenger, but it’s definitely a lot better than the previous version. If you’re a current user of it, there is no auto-update, so you’ll have to download it here.
I use MSN Messenger for Mac and I was never prompted to auto-upgrade either. I just happened to come across the new version and downloaded it while looking up how to do something in powerpoint on Microsoft's website.
Otherwise, I probably would not have known until now. Why on earth would they not have an auto-updater?