Tech Shout!

Microsoft on Tuesday released the Beta version of the Windows Live Messenger to the public. The Redmond-based company also launched the bundled VoIP service Windows Live Call in six additional markets. In addition, Uniden and Philips have announced the availability of cordless phones that would be attuned with the Live Call service.

The Live Call service is being offered by Verizon in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. Beginning next week, Live Call will expand to Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands, the company said.

Windows Live Contacts will also be used in the service, allowing for a single contact list across Windows Live Mail, Messenger and Spaces. Users can choose which contacts they want updated automatically, and as that contact updates their information, it would be updated in the users contact list.

“With powerful sharing, collaboration and communications tools designed to put the user firmly in control of their communications experience, Windows Live Messenger is a key part of the foundation of Windows Live,” said MSN and Windows Live corporate vice president Martin Taylor .

Taylor continued, “The several million consumers already in the managed beta have been giving us great feedback, and we’re excited to make the beta of Windows Live Messenger to users worldwide.”

The Windows Live Messenger service counts some 230 million users worldwide, Microsoft claims.

The new Windows Live Messenger beta is available broadly to the public for download at the Windows Live Ideas Web site.