The new Yahoo Messenger is a free online chat application, much like AOL Instant Messenger -- but with more features and less annoyances!

Yahoo Messenger has gone further into the Web 2.0 methodology with advanced social features, including a new chat room client, cell phone integration, webcams (no more need for a separate webcam chat service!), free microphone-based PC to PC phone calls, and mega file uploads - now with a supported 2 GB limit!

This is just a small sample of the features Yahoo threw into their new Yahoo Messenger. The sheer number of new features nullifies any reason to bother with AIM or any other chat client...here's why:

Yahoo Messenger now allows you to get more from your built-in phone service than ever before (how about FREE phone calls?) One of the crowning achievements of the new version is that you can make 100% free phone calls from your Yahoo Messenger software to any other Yahoo Messenger user. These are called PC to PC Calls, and require either a microphone or a headset/microphone combo to use. Yahoo heralds their new PC to PC call feature to "sound so clear, you won't believe it's free." You can even leave free voicemail for friends that haven't picked up on your call.

Best yet, Yahoo Messenger lets you hook up your cell phone and enjoy worldwide phone calls for as low as one penny per minute. This service, dubbed Yahoo Phone Voice Out, where you can pay a one time fee and make as many calls as it takes to reach the fee's total amount (for instance, $10 gives you 1,000 worldwide minutes). You can call both regular (land line) and mobile or cellular phones with this service.

» Download Yahoo Messenger or Get More Info

Yahoo Messenger's most popular feature, of course, is its live instant messenger. Send and receive instant messages from other Yahoo Messenger users, as well as Windows Live users, Reuters Messaging and Lotus Sametime users, too. As usual, send text messages to mobile phones, or photos from your desktop, or Flickr.com. IM conversations are now tabbed, so there's no need to have multiple windows open. Simply sift through them like you would with an XL spreadsheet!

» Introducing IMVironments


The new Yahoo Messenger has introduced a new concept in instant messaging called IMVironments, or "IMVs," for short. These interactive themes can be applied to any instant messaging session - and transform the session by adding something interactive to it. For instance, load up "Doodle" and draw on a whiteboard with your chat buddy. Load up the "St. Ives quiz" and see which of your online friends gets the highest score. Try the "Yahoo Search" IMV and search the internet live with your friend, instead of copying and pasting links back and forth. Got a Yahoo Personals account? Merge it with Yahoo Messenger via the "Yahoo Personals" IMV and search for someone to chat with!

The list goes on with the ever-expanding number of IMV's being added each day. It adds a huge amount of replay value (and fun) to the same old chat experience!

» Yahoo Messenger Plugins


You can download and use free plugins to increase your Yahoo Messenger's functionality even more. Watch videos with your friends by using the Zinc plugin, integrate your Twitter.com account with the Twitter Sync plugin, play TONS of free games with your chat buddies, share shopping lists, book a flight together with your chat buddy, monitor your eBay auctions or find & share things on eBay, and do an exhausting amount of other tasks with these pretty decent plugins!

» Yahoo Messenger Avatars


Create a virtual you with this new feature, that lets you create a character to represent yourself. Make it look just like you (or however you want, in case you have a split personality). Dress it up with clothing and accessories. You can even send an animated character over to your chat buddy to get their attention!

Your avatar's mood will even change during the course of your chat. Regardless if you're happy, sad, shocked, crying or anything else - you'll actually see this change on your avatar!

Avatars are controlled through a new free online service called Yahoo Avatar, which stores your avatar information permanently. Change it any time you want, or have a friend help you with the Avatar Plugin.

» Game On in Yahoo Messenger


While you chat, why not initiate a new game of chess, pool, checkers or backgammon with a friend? Load up one of these free included games at any time. As mentioned before, you can also use one of the many online game IMVs that range from arcade, to quiz and strategy, as well!

» Customize to Your Heart's Content

Yahoo Messenger was designed to be extremely customizable: assign a ringtone to each of your friends, play some waiting music if you're out (just choose the sound file), skin the actual messenger itself, or edit the fonts and individual colors.

» Download Yahoo Messenger or Get More Info

Yahoo Messenger has become one of the greatest free downloads around - the new version has more features, customization and everything else you've ever wanted to warrant ditching your other apps (since they're all built in). Download Yahoo Messenger and give it a try, and see the difference between it and AOL instant messenger!




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