(29 June 2009 10:00 pm)

MUMBAI: As part of realigning its online services under the Windows Live brand, Microsoft is doing away with its MSN web messenger.

According to a blog on the Windows Live team website, "We are preparing to discontinue MSN Web Messenger. The old MSN Web Messenger experience will end on 30 June."

Taking lead from Google's Gtalk, the new web-based IM, made available to users in April this year, is integrated with the Hotmail inbox. Alternatively, they can log on to Windows Live People page (contact list). Users need not log on to MSN web messenger.