] Microsoft is set to release a beta version of its new
] messaging service. This is not a standard upgrade to its
] Messenger software; this is the product of NetGen, a
] division of Microsoft that is developing software aimed
] at the Net generation, i.e., teenagers and young adults
] who have grown up using the Internet.
]
]
] The software, called Threedegrees, aims to create
] peer-to-peer social groups of up to 10 people. This
] allows for groups of friends to communicate with one
] another in their own groups so they can chat, share
] photos and video, and listen to music together. There is
] also a feature called Winks which allows one user to send
] animations to the rest of the group as an extra form of
] communication, much like the emoticons seen in the
] standard Messenger software. Individuals are not limited
] to one group, but can join several different groups with
] a range of people they know.