According to LiveSide, a new Windows Live service known as Windows Live Video Messages is in the works and will be available to the public in September this year.

Windows Live Video Messages is a web-portal where users with webcams will be able to communicate with their friends and family by sending/recieving video messages, even when they are offline.

The added benefit for Microsoft LifeCam users is that they will be able to take benefit of all Windows Live Videos Messages features right on their desktop using the Vista sidebar gadget and they won’t need to visit the web portal.

The tech preview is coming to the public on September 9. However if you own a Microsoft LifeCam and are just too impatient enough to try it already, use this link below to download the sidebar gadget.

Please do not download and install if you do not have a Microsoft LifeCam install on your PC.

Update The Windows Live Video Messages site is up and running and can be accessed through the following URL.

http://videomessages.live.com/