This new feature will be placed in a separate frame inside the messenger window, reducing the width of the contacts list. This separate frame looks very disjointed because of the separate scroll-bar which is in the default style for Windows. This makes the application less sleek and makes me wonder if Microsoft can ever perfect a product.
Apart from the disjointed look it also sports HD video which is a big plus as it puts the product in an area which perfectly sits between business and consumer products. Business users will use the HD video and consumers will use the social feeds. HD video is not new in IM clients with Skype already supporting this feature but to see it in a Microsoft product makes.
There will also be an iPhone version of teh software which, if accepted to the App Store,will be one app worth downloading. It is somewhat of a surprise that Microsoft is releasing an iPhone version considering that they are trying to pitch their new Phone OS, Windows Phone 7.
All of this is part of the upcoming Live Wave 4 update which is expected to have a final release in the 3rd quarter of this year. This update is looking like a much needed freshening up for the Live platform but if the disjointed nature of clients seen in WLM remains in the other software than this will not be the sleekest update for Microsoft.
To me it seems like Microsoft has learnt from it's UI and functionality mistakes of the past and are genuinely going to release a polished product. When I can get my hands on a build I will tell you more but for now I recommend checking it out at http://windowslivepreview.com/ (Note: This website occasionally redirects to the Live Home site)
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