Yahoo Messenger Beta Takes On Skype

With Microsoft recently adding voice over IP capabilities to MSN Messenger and AOL readying a new AIM client with similar functionality, voice has become the new buzzword of IM. Yahoo has now joined the mix, launching a beta version of Yahoo Messenger 7, which hopes to capture some of the success enjoyed by Skype.

Extremely popular in Europe, Skype recently surpassed 100 million downloads and the company rolled out two premium features for voicemail and dialing standard telephones. Unlike Skype, however, Yahoo Messenger will focus on free PC-to-PC calling among buddy list contacts.

The company did not specify if it planned to add pay features into the VoIP service, but left the possibility open.

Yahoo Messenger 7.0 will offer drag-and-drop photo sharing that enables users to create slideshows in real time. The company said it decided to beef up Messenger's photo capabilities because 80 percent of file transfers made by users were images.

Following a similar approach taken by Microsoft with MSN Spaces, Yahoo Messenger will also keep users apprised of any changes to buddies' Yahoo 360 blogs. Other features include spam and virus protection, as well as an improved address book interface.

Yahoo Messenger 7.0 Beta may be downloaded via FileForum.