IM meets iOS.
Microsoft has launched an iPhone app for its Windows Live Messenger instant messaging service.
The company says the free app includes many of the features seen in the PC client, including multiple chat windows, history, emoticons and the ability to share links and photos.
Indeed, the app lets users upload photos from their iPhone directly. Meanwhile, it also integrates with Microsoft's Hotmail webmail service, allowing users to access their inboxes without quitting the app.
Microsoft is using push notifications to alert users to new chats when they aren't running the app.
However, later today sees the consumer release of Apple's new iOS 4 software, which includes a multi-tasking feature to allow apps to run in the background, removing the need for push notifications.
The various instant messaging apps will be scrambling to release iOS 4 updates, but Microsoft has opted not to hold the release of its app until multi-tasking can be included.
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