Microsoft is going all out to make the next version of Windows Live Messenger the most feature-packed release of its instant messaging client yet -- and to generate as much early excitement about it as possible in the meantime.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer gave the first preview of the next release of Windows Live Messenger to an audience at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil on Wednesday. Company spokespersons later provided even more information regarding the upcoming messaging client. Many of the new and updated features focus on two areas: social networking and non-PC usage.

"Social networks have changed how people communicate," Microsoft spokesperson Piero Sierra said in a blog post meant to coincide with Ballmer's preview.

Additionally, users are spending more time away from their PCs, Sierra added. In response, Microsoft has plans for versions of the client for Windows Phone, the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone, and Research in Motion's (NASDAQ: RIMM) Blackberry.

Microsoft also plans to add the ability to hold live high-definition video chats with other users, as well as to send and receive video messages. "If your friend is offline, leave them a video message, just like a voicemail but now as a quick video that will be waiting for them when they sign in," said a second Microsoft spokesperson in an e-mail to InternetNews.com.

The next Live Messenger will feature tabbed conversations so that users can access all of their chat sessions in a single place and will allow users to access Live Messenger from a PC that may not have it installed locally. Instead, the network can be accessed via a browser.

Of course, it's hardly a surprise that it will also sport tight integration with Microsoft's Bing search engine, or that the next Live Messenger will enable users to pull social updates in Hotmail into the Messenger client. Users will also be able to combine their contacts lists into a single list.

Microsoft claims it currently has more than 320 million Windows Live Messenger users, and some 200 million of them use both Live Messenger and Hotmail.

So far, however, the company has not yet said when beta testing of the new Live Messenger will start, much less its release date.

"The final versions will be released in the coming months, when they are ready for our customers worldwide. We have no specifics to share on the release date or final product at this time," the e-mail said.

Stuart J. Johnston is a contributing writer at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals.