Microsoft announced today that Xbox Live users will get a brand new way to communicate as part of the next major update to the online game service. Starting tomorrow more than 6 million members of Xbox LIVE can instant message with people on PCs and mobile phones, one of the hundreds of enhancements coming with the Xbox 360 Spring Update.

Beginning May 9th, Xbox LIVE is once again expanding with the arrival of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360. This new feature, available as part of the Xbox 360 Spring Update, will connect people across Xbox 360 consoles, Windows PCs and Windows Mobile devices.

With Instant Messenger, Xbox LIVE members will have the ability to chat via instant messenger with up to 20 contacts in a single conversation, and have up to six different conversations at the same time with people on PCs, mobile phones and other Xbox 360 consoles. They can also instant message while playing games, listening to music or watching movies or TV shows downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

In addition to the availability of Instant Messenger on Xbox LIVE, the Xbox 360 Spring Update will bring with it hundreds of other features and enhancements to the console including on-screen pop-ups that immediately display the name and gamerscore value of a just accomplished Achievement; an even safer way to communicate through Xbox LIVE with enhanced family settings; a standalone Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade that houses all Xbox LIVE Marketplace content in one easy to navigate space; Xbox LIVE Arcade enhancements that showcase what games friends are playing directly from the friends list; faster access to free, trial version of Xbox LIVE Arcade games through an improved Auto Downloads feature; the ability to fast-forward, pause and rewind video as it is being downloaded on Xbox LIVE Marketplace; and the ability to set your system to turn off after downloading content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Look for the update this week on Xbox Live.