Keep an eye out for the new Insider
September 1, 2009 on 3:49 pm | In 10 version, 9.0 version, Features | 13 Comments
Last week, users on Yahoo! Messenger 10 Beta got an early look at the new Insider, the window that pops up when you first sign into Messenger for the day. Today, we’re also rolling it out to users on the U.S. versions of Yahoo! Messenger 8.1 and 9.0.
Here’s an overview of what you’ll see in the new Insider:
News, news and more news
We’ve pulled in news from the Yahoo! homepage, as well as headlines from Top Stories, World, Sports, Tech, and everyone’s favorite, Odd Stories (and yes, they are truly odd). If you’re in the U.S., you can also get local news from your town or city. The local news location is the same as what you choose for your weather.
We also included Yahoo! Buzz in its own tab in Insider. You’ll see short summaries of the top 10 news stories that have been buzzed up by internet users.
Yahoo! Mail
While Yahoo! Messenger has always had Yahoo! Mail alerts built-in, the new Mail tab in Insider gives you a handy, snapshot view of your Yahoo! Mail inbox. An indicator on the Mail tab will tell you how many unseen messages you have, and clicking on a message will take you right to it in Yahoo! Mail.
Current weather + 5-day forecast
Below your name you’ll find the current weather conditions for your area. Click on the weather display and you’ll see a 5-day forecast. To change your weather location, click on the location listed to the right of the current forecast. Type in any location in the world and click Go.
Search the web, images and video
The new search box at the top of Insider gives you quick access to Yahoo! Search. We’ve also included search assist to help you find the most common search phrases as you enter in your query.
Skins to match
If you’re on Yahoo! Messenger 10, the color of the new Insider will match the skin that you’ve chosen for your main Messenger windows. On versions 8.1 and 9.0, you’ll see a Skins menu in the upper right corner of the Insider window. Just click on it to select a different skin.
Ads, of course
I’m sure you’ll all be thrilled to know that the same 300×250 ad is still available in Insider. And just below it is a smaller ad where you’ll see tips or promotions related to Yahoo! Messenger. Oh and did we mention that we love it when you click on ads?
If it’s been awhile since you’ve looked at Insider, now’s a great time to give it a fresh look. Just click on the Help menu and select “Yahoo! Insider”.
And if you’d like to turn Insider back on so you see it when you sign in to Yahoo! Messenger, go to Messenger > Preferences > General and check the box next to “Show Yahoo! Insider”.
We hope you enjoy the new Insider. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment here on the blog or by going to the Help menu in Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 or 10 and selecting “Send Feedback”.
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
I would like to click on join a room and have a current room list – this one has been the same since last Thursday…That would be my insider tip of the day….
Comment by stuck on Thursday — September 1, 2009 #
Oh well
Ads can be easily removed. I made a .bat for it:)
Comment by Jancsy — September 1, 2009 #
the insider is annoying i allways turn it off if i wanted to read that stuff i’d go to your homepage
Comment by user111 — September 1, 2009 #
i like the ads…something to look at. i clicked a couple times just for sarah
Comment by Mike G — September 1, 2009 #
Hello Sarah,
Great job, thank you.
I like it. I did load the new version 10. Now, I am waiting for others to catch up so I can test the camera
Comment by Henryk — September 1, 2009 #
You might consider Insider and other parts of your client actually reading language and country settings. I am in Thailand with everything set to english and a home country of the US. But your insider still serves me content in Thai
Comment by Chris — September 2, 2009 #
Hey Sarah, I was wondering when the latest version of Y!M won’t be beta? I can’t wait to check out the new video version and all. Thanks!
Comment by Amy B. — September 2, 2009 #
I like the Insider. Easy and simple. Nice one!
Comment by Iubire — September 6, 2009 #
The new yahoo insider from my point of view looks great.
I make it my business to always know what the weather will be like from day to day & week to week so I know what to expect & dress accordingly.
Thanks!
P.S. What ever happened to the chat rooms that users can or could create within the messenger.
I enjoyed the chat room labeled “Salsa para los Rumberos” if my memory serves me right about the name.
That chat brought users from all over the globe who not only love Salsa, but aired there song(s) for others to listen to & jam & provide feedback in the room.
Mrs. Sarah Bacon please let me know the 411 @ “Salsa de los Rumberos”.
Comment by elBorincanoDeNYC — September 7, 2009 #
I turn the insider off. i mean seriously! how much news can a person get online? my front page is full of news. everywhere is news. it would be nice if a person could decide what content to go on the insider. then it would be worth it.
Comment by Johnny — September 10, 2009 #
My location always says Sunnyvale. I like Sunnyvale, I’ve even visited Yahoo. But I don’t live there.
How can I get the Insider to register my actual add?
Comment by eknirb — September 12, 2009 #
@eknirb – Click on where it says “Sunnyvale” and you’ll have the option to change it to a different location.
Sarah Bacon
Comment by Administrator — September 14, 2009 #
Hi Sarah, well, yes, I know that. I guess I should’ve been clearer.
I change it….but it won’t STAY that way. It always goes back to Sunnyvale.
Comment by eknirb — September 14, 2009 #