Microsoft appears to be on a mission to have a look at each facet of Home windows lately, with Paint, Notepad, and Windows Media Player all getting their very own glow-ups. However its messaging facet may do with some consideration.
For those who keep in mind the late 2000s, an enormous approach of messaging associates after faculty, at the very least for me, was utilizing MSN Messenger on Windows XP. Between 2001 and 2007, it was the go-to approach of retaining in contact with many, a messaging instrument the place you might add emojis to your title, which was approach forward of its time, alongside way more.
Whereas Home windows already has messaging apps, equivalent to Skype, it’s not hit the bottom operating like WhatsApp or Apple’s iMessage service has. So as an alternative, Microsoft ought to use this chance to place a rebooted MSN Messenger as its foremost Windows 12 messaging app, alongside making it out there on as many platforms as attainable.
Why is MSN Messenger nonetheless extremely regarded?
Nostalgia could be a highly effective factor, and even loading up model 6 of Messenger from 2004 on Windows 11 again in 2022 introduced loads of reminiscences again for me. Logging on after faculty and speaking about nothing in a bunch of group chats was one thing many people did.
However for others, it was additionally an effective way to atone for some work from days which will have overrun, particularly as you might switch recordsdata to at least one one other.
As this was earlier than social media was even a factor (nicely, MySpace was attempting), MSN Messenger was an enormous consider altering perceptions of precisely what a PC was. It was slowly altering from being one thing people utilized in a darkened room, to children asking dad and mom if they might use the household pc to speak to their associates.
It was a uncommon time when Microsoft was forward of the curve, and it will shortly usher in updates that got here with extra emojis, Nudges that will ship screen-shaking popups to your conversational companions, and the flexibility to ‘Seem Offline’, so you might keep on-line however be invisible to others – in addition to webcam help, a rarity in these days.
However in fact, Microsoft ‘did a Microsoft’, and began rebranding the app with a unique title in 2006 with ‘Home windows Dwell Messenger’, alongside a brand new look. However this solely hastened its decline, and mixed with MySpace, Fb, and Bebo coming to the fore, it was discontinued in 2013.
These days, messaging apps are throughout us, and whereas social media platforms appear to be both chronically mismanaged or drawing solely boredom from current customers, it might be the proper time when MSN Messenger is rebooted and relaunched as the principle messaging app on Home windows.
Make it the iMessage of Home windows 12
While you first boot into an Apple gadget, whether or not that’s a Mac or an iPhone, you’re in a position to ship a message to somebody in lower than 5 minutes. Attempt doing this in Windows 11, and also you’ll need to attempt to log into Skype, or WhatsApp for desktop – however these each require you to obtain the apps first.
That’s an issue for many who need to use a brand new laptop computer or pill to speak instantly – that ease and pace of use for messaging merely isn’t there in Home windows. However for a brand new MSN Messenger in Home windows 12 that’s pre-installed, identical to Apple’s Messages app, there might be.
Apple has been digging its heels in about not permitting iMessage on Android and Home windows, and for good cause. As some emails have said from Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President (SVP) of software engineering at Apple, it will be one much less cause for some customers to modify from Android and Home windows.
However this might be a possibility for Home windows. Its CEO, Satya Nadella, has at all times been an enormous proponent of getting Home windows as a service, and the identical can apply right here to MSN Messenger. Having an app that takes the privateness of Apple, the design of Telegram, and the nostalgia of what Messenger was in 2002, might be an incredible draw for a lot of.
But this might simply be the beginning of this new app. It will combine in nicely with its Floor line, particularly the Surface Duo 2 smartphone, and nudges and winks might be resurrected as notifications and message results, working throughout a bunch of units and platforms.
It is time for Microsoft to take Messaging significantly
Whereas Windows 11 has had its fair proportion of followers and foes as a consequence of its redesign of the Taskbar, Explorer, and lots else, it additionally acts as a very good suggestions type for Microsoft to see what customers need in Home windows 12.
Seeing Media Player lastly get a return in 2022 was an indication to me that Microsoft isn’t afraid anymore of going again to apps from the previous that labored nicely. That is why MSN Messenger may give its messaging arm an enormous stage up.
Whereas it gives its Microsoft 365 Workplace Suite, Xbox gaming app, and music choices, there’s no shopper messaging app to assist tie all of it collectively – irrespective of how laborious it tries to push Groups. I am not going to make use of Groups, Mr Nadella.
So let’s see Windows 12 launch with the return of MSN Messenger, the place you can begin messaging family and friends with a nudge and a wink for the trendy age – all whereas with the ability to entry it in your Android and iPhone units, and maybe quickly, your Vision Pro headset.
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