Yahoo Messenger Ups Ante on Internet Calling

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Yahoo Messenger Ups Ante on Internet Calling
Stacey Klein, newsfactor.com

Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO - news) announced Wednesday the launch of a public beta for its newest Yahoo Messenger, which can connect customers anywhere through a PC-to-PC calling service.

The voice-chat capabilities of earlier versions have been enhanced to make PC-to-PC calling easier. The new Messenger calling service also provides voice-mail that can be left and retrieved through a call history log.

Users also can make their PC-to-PC calling more personalized by customizing ring tones for friends and family.

"Talking to your computer no longer means you are crazy," said Brad Garlinghouse, vice president of communications products for Yahoo.

Voice services will continue to be enhanced and extended as a core component of Yahoo Messenger, Garlinghouse said.

"We are committed to providing a world-class IM experience for consumers," he said.

The "next generation" Yahoo Messenger, as the company calls it, also features a new drag-and-drop capability to ease the transfer of multiple files between customers. Thumbnails will specify what type of file is being transferred.

The drag-and-drop feature is a key component to the new Yahoo Messenger's photo-sharing capability, which simulates looking at photos in person by letting users view photos together via instant message.

New tools in Yahoo Messenger give users access to Yahoo's online community forum, Yahoo 360. Indicators will appear next to friends' IDs, signaling to users that they've posted new content, such as blogs or photos.

Yahoo Messenger also will work with the company's new Music Unlimited. Users will be able to browse and listen to friends' music playlists through Messenger.

In addition, enhanced SpamGuard software will work with the new Yahoo Messenger to boost users' protection and to let customers report spam or unsolicited messages to Yahoo through IM.

The new Yahoo Messenger is launching in localized versions for 18 countries throughout the world.