Ars Technica has a good write up of Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta.
Windows Live Messenger 9 Features
- Multiple Points of Presence Support: Ever been annoyed by the fact that logging onto Messenger from another computer logs you out of the first one? If so, you'll be glad to be able to log on from multiple locations at once. And so will you.
- Signature sounds: Find new and creative ways to annoy your coworkers with personalized sound signatures.
- Per-contact sounds: That one friend who keeps annoying you with constant IM's? Give them a rude sound.
- Animated .GIF display pictures: Now your friends can be forced to look at your baby while he's making silly faces.
- Links in status messages: As if there wasn't enough to click on, now URLs in the status bar can be clicked.
- Anti-spam filter: You can now report users who spam you via IM, which should do absolutely nothing to stop them in future.
Get the new Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta