October 29, 2007 on 9:12 pm | In 9.0 version | 182 Comments
Introducing Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta, the next version of our popular IM software for Windows. This new version has a whole new look and feel, along with some great new features that make it well worth the upgrade. Here’s a quick look at what’s new in Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta:
- A whole new look for your contact list. Keep it in detail view to see larger Avatar images for your friends, or switch to compact list view (in the Contacts menu). Plus, you can just hover and click to IM, SMS or call a friend.
- Brand new skins and emoticons! Click the dot near the top of your Messenger window to choose a skin, and check the emoticon menu for the new ones that were inspired by user entries in our Emoticontest earlier this year (more on our winners in a future post).
- New Flickr integration in the photo sharing feature. Easily share photos from your Flickr.com account, or save photos shared with you directly to Flickr.
- A new in-line media player that makes it easy to view maps, photos and videos from sites like Yahoo! Video and YouTube right in the IM window. No plug-ins needed, no extra downloads — it’s built right in. Just send a video, map or photo link to another friend who’s also on 9.0 to try it out.
- New features for voice calls. You can have your incoming Phone In or free PC calls forwarded to another number like your mobile, home or office phone, even if you’re signed out of Messenger (Phone Out account required). Plus there’s a new way to get voicemail. When someone leaves you a voicemail in Messenger, an email is sent to you with an MP3 of the voice message attached.
Download Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta
Here’s a brief video that demonstrates the new features of Yahoo! Messenger 9.0:
The new Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 also offers localized versions in six new markets: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India (Hindi), and Vietnam. With these additions, Yahoo! Messenger is available in 25 international markets.
As with any new Beta software, Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 is not perfect but we think we got most of the major bugs out.
But we need your help to put it through its paces! Install it, give it a run for its money, and then provide your input (good or bad!) on our feedback page. Your comments will help us improve on it for the final release early next year.
I know that many of our Windows Vista users are eagerly awaiting the Beta launch of Yahoo! Messenger for Vista. Don’t worry – we’re still working hard on it and hope to have it to you very soon. In the meantime, we hope you’ll try out Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 which is designed for both Windows XP and Vista.
We look forward to receiving your feedback on Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta!
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
October 25, 2007 on 2:13 pm | In Mac version | 91 Comments
The second release of Mac 3.0 Beta 2 is now available, just in time for Apple’s upcoming release of Mac OS X Leopard (10.5). This new release includes:
- Improved stability and compatibility with Mac OS X Version 10.5 (Leopard)
- Some small interface improvements, including a new Show/Hide Display Images button in the IM and chat room windows
- Improved chat room layout, with the list of chatters in a left hand, scrollable panel with age/sex/location details available on hover (if the user is sharing his/her profile)
Download Yahoo! Messenger for Mac 3.0 Beta 2
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
October 23, 2007 on 1:58 pm | In News | 5 Comments
Recently we had some applause-worthy accomplishments from a couple of Messenger team members.
Madhu Yarlagadda, V.P. of Engineering for Yahoo! Messenger, had his invention approved by the U.S. Patent office. This new Yahoo! patent, entitled “Seamless interfacing for instant messaging and internet telephony across wireless networks”, addresses the common problem of IM clients signing off and on as a user moves between wireless networks.
Richard Sinn, our resident software security guru on the Yahoo! Messenger team, has a new book out entitled Software Security Technologies: A Progammatic Approach. The book offers an introduction to the field of software security, providing a blend of basic security theory and practical software security programming.
Congratulations to Madhu and Richard!
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
October 17, 2007 on 9:32 am | In Vista version | 139 Comments
Thanks to everyone for your enthusiastic comments on this blog about the upcoming version of Yahoo! Messenger built specifically for Windows Vista. The team hears you loud and clear, and we can’t wait for launch day either! We are working hard to make a download available for your honest feedback and thorough testing. And of course those who have provided their email address will be the first to know when it is ready.
Some of the things we’ve been working on since the last update include:
- Performance optimization for a smooth and responsive experience
- Integrated feedback system for bug reporting and feature ideas
- Updated tab-based navigation
- Ability to install both versions of Yahoo! Messenger for Windows
on the same computer at once
- Updated visual design for desktop icons and Sidebar gadget
- Vector-based animated emoticons
- Aeroglass window integration
- And some things we’ll tell you about later… 
Please stay tuned, and thanks again for your patience.
Josh Jacobson
Senior Product Manager, Yahoo! Messenger for Windows Vista
October 11, 2007 on 11:04 am | In Features | 18 Comments
One of the handiest shortcuts in Yahoo! Messenger 8.1 is the Windows + y key combination. When you use it, it brings up your Yahoo! Messenger window with the cursor in the contact search box, no matter what you’re doing on your computer. From there you can quickly start a message by typing in someone’s ID, phone number, or just type their name to find them in your list.
If the Windows + Y shortcut doesn’t work for you, make sure that it’s enabled in your Yahoo! Messenger preferences. Go to the Messenger menu, select “Preferences”, and then choose the “General” category. Be sure the box is checked next to “Open Messenger & start a conversation when I press Windows + Y”.
If you’re a Yahoo! Messenger for Mac user, there’s a similar handy shortcut but it requires that you be in the Yahoo! Messenger program at the time. Use the Command + n keyboard combination to open up a small search box that accesses your contact list. Type in a friend’s ID or name to find them in your list and start a new message. Or type in a friend’s mobile phone number to send them a text message (SMS).
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
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