Thanks to XLS in the forums for posting this. Microsoft have released version 6.2 of their popular messaging software, MSN messenger. It is available for download at the links below. As our sceenshots show, Microsoft appear to be bundling their MSN toolbar with this release; Microsoft often criticised by regulators regarding their practise of bundling their software in this manner. One can draw one obvious conclusion from this move; Microsoft is worried about Google and their search dominance, and intend to take back some of the market share.
New features (from here - note: these might have changed slightly with the release) :
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Animated Display Pictures (still unsure whether there will be animated custom emoticons)* appears not to have made the final release - Launch Site renamed "Fun & Games"
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Fun & Games adds: Music Exchange (ala 3°)* offers no more integration than before. - Shared Browsing Enabled for MSN Subscribers
- MSN Messenger "Connection Troubleshooter" (automatically solve many network connectivity problems)
- Minor : 'Real time' emoticon displaying when typing messages (e.g. : ) -> :) whilst you type)
- Minor : Ability to hide the standard buttons at the top of the messenger window, ala MS Messenger
- Minor : Mobile grouping on the main pane; for mobile contacts they are grouped asides from normal contactsp
Note : messenger.msn.com (official download site) has not yet been updated; see the forum post for more information on minor updates within the release. Update : we've removed some of the features we expected to make the release (and didn't). On further analysis, the 6.2 update features very little new stuff, bringing mostly cosmetic changes.
Update : Patchou has since updated his program to make it compatible with 6.2. You can download it here (forum post).
Download: Here or direct (thanks arnaudt)
View: Forum post
Screenshot: 
