A reader noticed today that the Microsoft-hosted Australian Channel 9 web portal (kind of like MSNBC in Australia) is mentioning an unreleased version of Messenger for Mac.

If you go to ninemsn.com with a Mac and click on the “Messenger” icon on the top right, you’re directed to a page which mentions “Windows Live Messenger 2011″ and just below there’s a button to download Messenger 2011 for Mac with a “New” ribbon on the corner.

However, when you click on the button you’re redirected to Microsoft’s web site download section which only allows you to download the officially released MSN 8.0 for Mac.

A screenshot of the page was cached here in case of removal.

It might be a mistake by the graphic designer but it may also indicate that Microsoft plans to release a new Mac version of Messenger with the same branding and possibly the same level of features as on the Windows version.

Thanks to Orestes for the heads up!