Microsoft to start charging for Windows Live Mobile Messenger?

by Sean Cooper posted Jan 9th 2008 at 12:29PM

File this under evil chain mail letters come true friends, but if you believe the rising buzz we're seeing at MoDaCo -- and we totally do -- Microsoft may well be set to start charging for Windows Live Mobile Messenger. Apparently users are seeing a message about a 30 day trial with an option to purchase a 30-day pass at the conclusion of the trial. While we understand that this service must cost Microsoft something, we don't think Microsoft understands just how upset this is going to make users of its platform -- even if it is covered under the service's terms and conditions. We're so stoked to watch the fallout, oh, and if you have a Windows Mobile device and want to try setting the date forward on your device, let us know what happens.

[Via the::unwired]

Filed under: Handsets, Messaging, Software, Windows Mobile

Tags: live messenger, LiveMessenger, messaging, Microsoft, MSN, windows Mobile, WindowsMobile

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

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Kira @ Jan 25th 2008 12:15PM

I haven't been able to send messages from my desktop to mobile phones. I get an error saying "This message was not sent because Mobile Messaging is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later." Bothersome!!!! Is anyone else getting this or do you know how I can fix it?

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Lisa @ Feb 12th 2008 8:39PM

Yeah ,sending Mobile messages from windows live messenger/msn messenger is not working and it doesn't have anything to to with
our mobile account settings, And signing in and out is just a wasted step.
Can't say it's a cell phone carrier error because
it is happening with all carriers.
something thats been changed somewhere. It's always worked pretty good
before, then it just started with the error not too long ago "This message was not sent because Mobile Messaging is temporarily
unavailable. Please try again later" Is anyone working on the problem?
Looking into it? It's been really nice having that ability and now it's
gone.. why it isn't working and if anyone is currently trying to fix
it? Thanks..

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Colin Walker @ Jan 9th 2008 1:09PM

Just had the 30 day message when trying to sign in to Messenger so bumped the date forward to March.

I was still able to sign in afterwards.

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Sean Cooper @ Jan 9th 2008 1:16PM

Yeah, seems it may be tied to your account and not to the device.

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Cellenin @ Jan 9th 2008 1:27PM

No thanks. I will stick to SMS.

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brainsmak @ Jan 9th 2008 1:32PM

google talk anyone?

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RazorD @ Jan 9th 2008 1:34PM

This isn't just Windows Mobile this affects. Its the Symbian version too.

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joshpollard @ Jan 9th 2008 1:39PM

I just signed in using my HTC Touch from Sprint and did not get this message...

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MinceyFresh @ Jan 9th 2008 1:45PM

I didn't get any warning when I signed in with my Helio Ocean just now... I hope that simply means that Helio users are the exception!

Highly Ranked

Eros @ Jan 9th 2008 1:53PM

May be it's mobile operator, who charging for it. I don't think microsoft will charge for something when its PC version had been always free!

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David @ Jan 9th 2008 2:05PM

Just signed with a Sprint Mogul and didn't get the message...

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Sonicnights @ Jan 9th 2008 2:06PM

Yeah just got the 30 day trial warning on my Nokia N95 on Vodafone in the UK
Don't think I'll bother to pay for it.

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MrLuna @ Jan 9th 2008 3:49PM

I tried it on my T-Mobile Dash and on my girl's Helio Ocean, nothing happened.

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youngcalihottie @ Jan 10th 2008 9:16PM

well im glad i never switched to msn from aim :P

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Fernando @ Jan 9th 2008 4:29PM

Nothing in my N95, yet... (N95-1 EURO1 on AT&T if it is regional)

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Sean M. @ Jan 9th 2008 4:36PM

verizon 6700, works fine..no message

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OmegaRadium @ Jan 9th 2008 6:42PM

Just tried it on my T-Mobile Shadow and received no such message.

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Taylor @ Jan 9th 2008 4:51PM

maybe you have to download the newest version to see this? I wouldn't imagine this would just pop up all of a sudden on existing software.
-Taylor

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Blaxx @ Jan 9th 2008 6:56PM

I just signed in with the Symbian version on my N95 and didn't get any such message. (N95-3 on Fido). If I ever do get the message I'll just download eBuddy mobile or something

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Dan S @ Jan 9th 2008 10:09PM

Wow, close call. Good thing no one uses windows live messenger. (Seriously, I don't know anyone who uses it anymore.)

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Yannick Desjardins @ Jan 10th 2008 3:19PM

You are kidding right? I mean most people I know use it, and most people don't even know there are alternatives.

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Danny @ Jan 14th 2008 7:40AM

Hi folks, Jeff from Microsoft here (any Mobians on the thread will know me from Amsterdam and a few other events) � first of all, sorry for taking so long to get back to you; we needed to do some investigation as Windows Mobile users were not supposed to get that message.

Here�s what happened: This week we rolled out a direct-to-consumer billing service for the Windows Live client on Nokia S60 in the UK and Sweden. Although we are considering doing the same at a future time for Windows Mobile, this has not been implemented � however, something happened and many of you saw a trial message on Windows Mobile devices. Windows Mobile customers shouldn�t have received any notifications of a 30-day trial and we are working as quickly as possible to correct this.

As you may know, we offer Messenger services through mobile operators on lots of handsets, not just Windows Mobile. Traditionally, customers have been billed by their mobile operators for many of these services, either directly or through their data package.

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