Yahoo Live Beta Messenger Now Online With Voice+Plug Ins

While Microsoft announced the official release of Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! has launched a Live Beta version of its own messenger with Voice, along with software development tools for creating plug-ins for it. The version is embedded with programs that were formerly independent, but can now synchronize with activities ranging from calendar scheduling to watching videos or even trading commodities on the Instant Messenger (IM). Jeff Bonforte, senior director Yahoo, said, “This is the opening of Yahoo! Messenger to developers of real-time communication. Yahoo wants users to add plug-ins to customize the service and increase their interaction and collaboration with other users. We expect to have hundreds of Yahoo Messenger plug-ins before the end of the year.” Microsoft’s, MSN Live and AOL’s IM have also involved third party developers to create applications for their respective messengers, but Yahoo! has gone a step further by integrating not just a few, but tens of thousands of mini applications into instant messaging services, most which are optional. Users can check out plug-ins and can download the beta version here. The version also includes enhancements like contact list capacity of 1000 and added sound effects for voice conversations.