Download: Microsoft MSN Messenger and Xbox Live Alerts!

Why It’s Cool: Live subscribers in the United States will now find an Xbox tab on their MSN messenger, which will link to Xbox.com content on the latest games, articles, interviews, downloads, events, and tournaments. Subscribers will also be able to pull up their Live friend list and see who is online.

Live alerts enable messages from friends to be displayed through MSN messenger as well. The service sends notifications of friend requests, game invites, and more either to messenger or a handheld device. Each user can specify, in advance, the alerts they wish to receive and where they want them to go.

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Xbox Nation.