A new version of the popular Messenger communications client from Microsoft was made available to the general public yesterday (it had previously been available by invitation only).

This latest version remains in beta and has but a few new features to tout, though it did get a facelift to make it more closely resemble the other components of Microsoft’s Live initiative, including Windows Live (beta), Windows Office Live (beta), and Windows Live Local (beta).

New to this version of Messenger is an icon linking users directly to the Windows Live Call feature, which was available but less accessible in previous versions. Live Call lets users place both domestic and international voice calls using the Verizon Web Calling service over the Internet. The service is available in an additional six countries with this release: Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands (France, Germany, Spain, the U.K., and U.S. service was already available).

Much like the many Skype-certified products available for that service, Microsoft has partnered with some hardware manufacturers for products that will work exclusively on their own service, including new cordless phones from Philips and Uniden. Similarly, Microsoft has partnered with Logitech International SA to provide free video calls between Web-cam-equipped Messenger users.

Other new features include more integration, accessibility, and the ability to search for contact information between Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, and MSN Spaces. A “unified” contact list that can hold up to 600 entries makes this possible. You can easily reach these other services from convenient dropdown menus within the Messenger client as well.

Two final features to mention are Sharing Folders and the ability to write instant messages offline. With Sharing Folders, users can drag and drop files into their Live Messenger window and then share them with their Messenger contacts. The offline instant message feature allows users to write messages in the client while offline and then they are sent automatically the next time the sign on to the Live Messenger service.

To download Windows Messenger Live 8 beta, go to http://ideas.live.com.