Microsoft rolled out the final version of Windows Live Messenger with built-in calling and shared folders on Monday. Users will be able to place free PC-to-PC calls, and even call traditional phone numbers for a small fee through a partnership with Verizon.

The Windows Live Call service will additionally integrate with telephone handsets from Uniden in the United States and Philips in Europe. Motorola also announced plans to offer a cordless handset with support for Windows Live services later this year.

The software requires a PC. System requirements include;

• Multimedia PC
• Pentium 233 MHz process (500 MHz recommended)
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Minimum 128 MB of RAM (256 MB recommended)
• Up to 50 MB of hard disk space for installation, 15 MB to run the program.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 SP1 or later must be installed on your computer, though it does not need to be your default.
• Minimum 800 x 600 screen resolution

Video calling is made possible through audio and video technology provided by Logitech. Microsoft says over 20 million video chats take place across its network each month, and the company has developed its own line of webcams dubbed LifeCams that are optimized for the service. Logitech VideoCall plans run from $6.95/mo to $64.95/year. Microsoft promises that you'll be able to talk to friends who use Yahoo! Messenger with Voice although the Yahoo-Microsoft interoperability is not ready yet.

Other new functionality in Windows Live Messenger is Sharing Folders, which enables consumers to send a file to their contacts by simply dragging it into a folder. Contacts are kept up to date through Windows Live Contacts, a new Plaxo-like service that is also used by Windows Live Mail and MSN Spaces. Microsoft says over 25 million individuals are already using Live Contacts.

Windows Live Messenger -- available in 26 languages -- is specifically designed for Windows XP Service Pack 2, although the software should run on Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista Beta 2. Microsoft is readying more than 20 new Windows Live services to follow Messenger.

MSN Messenger lives on for people using operating systems older than Windows XP.

Competitors include Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk and AOL's AIM.

• Yahoo announced yesterday a new beta of Yahoo Messenger with Voice featuring plug-ins and open APIs. Like AOL a few months prior, Yahoo has announced that it is opening its IM client to third-party developers.

• Google Talk's most recent features include customizable photos for friends and Googletalk for Blackberries. Google Talk works in 13 languages (FAQs page).

• AOL's AIM has a new version with email, IM, text, voice and video at the click of a button.

Interoperable video conferencing has come home. With broadband wireless connections and an Ultramobile PC, it might even hit the road.

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