Microsoft is prepering to release a Windows Live Messenger client for its Xbox 360 gaming console.

The service allows users to connect to users of Live Messenger clients on the desktop or mobile devices. It is slated for availability in the week of May 7.

The instant messaging application requires an Xbox Live subscription. Xbox Live currently allows its 6 million users to exchange messages with fellow gamers. After expanding the service with support for Windows Live Messenger, users will be able to simultaneously chat with up to 6 people on their contact list while playing games.
Windows Live Messenger boast 260m active accounts worldwide.

Although users of Microsoft's desktop IM client are able to communicate with users of the Yahoo Messenger service, such interoperability won't be available to Xbox 360 users, a company spokesperson told vnunet.com.

Yahoo and Microsoft last year unveiled an interoperability service that allows users of both services to exchange messages.