While most Mac users are still soaking up the news that FaceTime is available for the Mac as well as the iPhone 4, Microsoft has released a Mac compatible version of its own instant messaging tool. Messenger for Mac 8 has now been officially released after coming out of beta. It will be available as part of Office for Mac 2011, but it can also be downloaded as a standalone application.

Just like the Windows version of the IM client, Messenger for Mac 8 can be used to send text based messages but it can also be used to conduct audio or video chats. All that is needed to get started with the application is a Windows Live ID (such as an email address ending in @live.com, @hotmail.com, or @msn.com) and you’re ready to go.

As an instant messaging tool, Messenger for Mac 8 holds few surprises, but it does make it easier for Mac and Windows users to stay in touch without the need to install a multi-protocol chat client. Anyone who has used the Windows versions of Messenger will feel immediately at home as, aside from a little Mac polish, the application looks almost identical.

In addition to standard text conversations and audio and video calls, which were first promised back in 2009, Messenger for Mac 8 can be used to conduct conference calls with multiple contacts and to send and receive files. Pay a visit to the Messenger for Mac download page to find out more.