RSSNext MSN Drops Version Numbers
By Nate Mook | Published August 27, 2003, 7:11 PM
Microsoft has officially announced the next iteration of MSN, set enter beta testing next week.
In a departure from expectations, Microsoft will not label the release version 9.0. Instead, MSN will now come in two flavors: Premium and Plus.
"Announced today is the next version of MSN, but we are no longer referring to the versions by numbers," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews. "The next version is our MSN Premium and Plus."
The new MSN branding represents a shift in focus toward broadband customers and efforts by Redmond to differentiate its service from rival AOL.
AOL recently gave members early access to AOL 9.0 Optimized, with general availability scheduled for this fall. The Optimized client will be tailored to broadband users, although dial-up subscribers will notice performance enhancements as well, AOL has said.
As first reported by BetaNews, Microsoft began courting beta testers for MSN 9 -- now MSN Premium -- earlier this month. While industry watchers expected a final release to coincide with AOL 9.0, the MSN beta program is expected to run through January, indicating a launch in the first quarter of 2004.
To offset the delay, Microsoft will issue MSN Plus later this year. MSN Plus is a stripped down version of MSN Premium offering core features such as Web browsing, e-mail and instant messaging.
Microsoft has bulked up MSN Premium with a My MSN custom home page, refined dashboard and productivity applications including Money Plus, Encarta Plus and Photo Plus.
Digital photography is a centerpiece of the new MSN release. Subscribers can create and share photos via e-mail or MSN Messenger, and MSN Premium will feature a tool dubbed Photo Story for adding narration and music to online slideshows.
"MSN Premium is the first premium service offering for broadband from MSN designed specifically to let customers get the most out of their connected experience through a powerful combination of communications, sharing and online safety features," said MSN corporate vice president Yusuf Mehdi.
Both MSN Plus and Premium include a built-in pop-up blocker and junk mail filter to keep annoyances from reaching subscribers. Improved parental controls will ship with MSN Premium, which allow for age-specific settings and detailed weekly reports on a child's online activity.
Although broadband subscribers are the primary target for MSN, Microsoft will continue to support dial-up access - at least for existing customers. The company says it will announce this winter which capabilities from MSN Premium will reach dial-up subscribers.
As with MSN 8.5, MSN Premium will be priced at $9.95 USD per month for customers with an existing broadband account. Microsoft has not yet announced pricing for MSN Plus, but the lower tiered service will likely cost less.
plus & premium? i smell payed services !
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|Of course you do. MSN *IS* a pay service...just like AOL.
Perhaps you are getting it confused with the instant messaging program which is a completely different product from what the article describes.
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|This is rediculous. How can they name it MSN Plus! Won't people confuse it with the current MSN Messenger add-on?
If that were to happen, think about all the people that wouldn't use these add-ons(thinking that they would have to pay). There would also be alot of chain letters stating that you will have to pay for MSN-Plus! add-on.
Personally, I think that this "MSN Plus" idea is going to be A TOTAL MESS!
Truly yours: -=5N1P3=-$nipeking2003
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|Considering you're not supposed to modify Microsoft applications I DOUBT they're really concerned that it's going to confuse people.
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|'Kerching ching' is all I can think of.
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|If Microsoft want some bucks from user to use messenger, then we will all create a Yahoo! account.
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|This is about the MSN software that subscribers use for the service--not MSN Messenger.
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|I received an email asking me to take a survey to beta test it...do I have to pay???
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|I dont think you have to pay extra. For the last Beta M$oft had a special version for non subscribers of msn to test. I can't wait till the new msn beta comes out to. I wonder how the msn9 when it is released in its final form will effect current msn bring your own access subcribers; will it ask you to upgrade. I am confused because i signed up for msn for 30 dollars a year. i am wondering if i use msn premium if this price will increase
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|I doubt they will ask beta testers to pay for a subscription, but I do expect some content to not be available to us beta testers.
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|Take a good look at the new MSN interface.. Then see if you can find some pics of the Aero interface for Longhorn.. They look alot alike don't they?! :P
-Jerry
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|You will probably not connect through the MSN internet servers, but use your current connection with their browser.
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