MSN is preparing to release to testers in the U.S., U.K., France, Spain, Korea and Netherlands, <A HREF="http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1663752,00.asp">the first beta of its MSN Messenger 7 instant-messaging</A> (IM) client next week. MSN is planning a broader beta to go out later this year. The target date for the final is early 2005.