September 18, 2009 on 11:00 am | In 10 version, 9.0 version, News | 112 Comments
Just another reminder that in twelve days, we will be retiring Yahoo! Messenger versions 6.0 through 7.5.
This means that if you are currently using a version of Yahoo! Messenger that is below 8.0, you will no longer be able to sign in and use it after September 30.
If you are using a version that is set to retire, you have several options for continuing to use Yahoo! Messenger:
Option 1: Download the latest version for Windows
You can use Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 which offers enhanced security as well as better protection from spam (info | video demo | download).
We also have a new Beta available, Yahoo! Messenger 10. This latest version offers enhanced video calling features, more ways to keep up with your friends, and a new menu that makes it easy to switch languages. (info | video demo | download)
Option 2: Use Yahoo! Messenger for the Web
If you can’t use the latest version mentioned above, you can always sign in to Yahoo! Messenger for the Web from any web browser. No extra download or installation is required. With our web version, you can send IM’s as well as SMS text messages to your friend’s mobile phones for free. Our web version also includes anywhere archiving, allowing you to access your message history from any computer or browser. Try it now at http://webmessenger.yahoo.com.
Option 3: Use the built-in IM feature in Yahoo! Mail
Both versions of Yahoo! Mail offer a built-in feature that lets you send and receive IMs. If you’re using the all-new Yahoo! Mail, just click the status menu next to your name in the upper header and change your status to “Available”. This will sign you into Yahoo! Messenger (you also have the option of staying invisible). IM conversations occur in separate tabs within your Mail page.
In Yahoo! Mail Classic, you’ll see a module on the left hand side of the page labeled “Chat & Mobile Text”. Click on the status menu in that module to change to “Available” (or Invisible). IM conversations will show up in a small box in the lower right corner of your Yahoo! Mail Classic page (but it won’t interfere with your Mail messages or using Mail).
As an alternative, there are also solutions available for your mobile phone. We recently launched Yahoo! Messenger for the iPhone and additionals versions are available for other mobile devices.
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
September 16, 2009 on 5:15 pm | In Mac version | 23 Comments
We’re aware that some of our users that upgraded to the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger for Mac 3.0 are having sign-in problems. Some of you may have been contacted to help us troubleshoot the issue. If you are one of those users, thanks. We really appreciate your help.
One problem we did find is the video software called CamCamX directly conflicts with our latest version of Yahoo! Messenger for the Mac. If this video mixing software is installed on your Mac, your Yahoo! Messenger will no longer work because of a software conflict.
To get Yahoo! Messenger working again, you’ll need to uninstall the CamCamX software.
We realize this particular fix will not solve everyone’s sign-in problems, so we’ll continue troubleshooting the issue and update you here on the blog when we have additional news or workarounds.
Thanks for your patience,
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
September 15, 2009 on 3:28 pm | In 10 version | 21 Comments
In the new Yahoo! Messenger 10 Beta, we introduced an alternate “Y! Updates” view of your contact list. In that view, you see a list of the latest updates from your Yahoo! friends.
Updates can come from your friends’ activity on Yahoo! sites like Buzz, Movies, Answers, Flickr, just to name a few. Or they can create updates by using other social sites on the internet such as Twitter, last.fm, Stumbleupon and more. More on updates
When you’re in the Y! Updates view, it’s also easy to IM your friend to chat about a particular update. Hover your mouse on their update until you see a dropdown arrow menu appear. Click on it and choose “Instant Message”. This will open a new IM window with the update snippet inline in the conversation.
If your friend is also on Yahoo! Messenger 10, they’ll see the update inline in their IM window. It’s a great way to start a conversation about their latest update. And when you do, they’ll know what you’re referring to.
Even if you don’t have an update from a friend, you can still easily IM, SMS or video call them from the Y! Updates view. Just use the contact action bar at the top of the list to find your friend. Hover on their name in the search results and click a contact method like IM, call, SMS or email, from their contact card.
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
September 11, 2009 on 4:15 am | In News | 34 Comments
A couple of months ago, we told you that we would be retiring Yahoo! Messenger versions 6.0 through 7.5 this Fall. The date for retirement has been set for September 30, 2009.
This means that if you are currently using a version of Yahoo! Messenger that is below 8.0, you will no longer be able to sign in and use it after September 30.
If you are using a version that is set to retire, you have several options for continuing to use Yahoo! Messenger:
Option 1: Download the latest version for Windows
You can use Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 which offers enhanced security as well as better protection from spam (info | video demo | download). It was even voted the best overall client in the 2009 About.com IM Awards. 9.0 also includes more advanced features like voice calling, free mobile text messaging (SMS), as well as the ability to IM with friends that use Windows Live™ Messenger.
Option 2: Use Yahoo! Messenger for the Web
If you can’t use the latest version mentioned above, you can always sign in to Yahoo! Messenger for the Web from any web browser. No extra download or installation is required. With our web version, you can send IM’s as well as SMS text messages to your friend’s mobile phones for free. Our web version also includes anywhere archiving, allowing you to access your message history from any computer or browser. Try it now at http://webmessenger.yahoo.com.
Option 3: Use the built-in IM feature in Yahoo! Mail
Both versions of Yahoo! Mail offer a built-in feature that lets you send and receive IMs. If you’re using the all-new Yahoo! Mail, just click the status menu next to your name in the upper header and change your status to “Available”. This will sign you into Yahoo! Messenger (you also have the option of staying invisible). IM conversations occur in separate tabs within your Mail page.
In Yahoo! Mail Classic, you’ll see a module on the left hand side of the page labeled “Chat & Mobile Text”. Click on the status menu in that module to change to “Available” (or Invisible). IM conversations will show up in a small box in the lower right corner of your Yahoo! Mail Classic page (but it won’t interfere with your Mail messages or using Mail).
As an alternative, there are also solutions available for your mobile phone. We recently launched Yahoo! Messenger for the iPhone and additionals versions are available for other mobile devices.
And remember, no matter what version you migrate to, your contact list always goes with you. As September 30th draws closer, we’ll remind you again here on the blog.
Thanks,
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
September 9, 2009 on 12:01 am | In 10 version | 37 Comments
If you’re into numerology, today is a special day. Aside from the date looking and sounding cool, today’s date represents the last set of repeating, single-digit dates that we’ll see for almost a century (until January 1, 2101).
So in keeping with all things 9 today, I thought I’d list out 9 things that aren’t in Yahoo! Messenger 9.0. Or in other words, nine reasons why you should try out the new Yahoo! Messenger 10 Beta. Here we go…
9) Much improved 1:1 video calling
8 ) A new alternative view called “Y! Updates” that shows you what your friends are up to on Yahoo! and on other social websites
7) Choose from 16 languages at sign-in or under Messenger > Preferences > Language
6) A new way to sort your contacts – by availability or by recent activity
5) A new Insider with more news, Yahoo! Mail and weather [OK, technically 9.0 has this too but 10 had it first!]
4) When you IM a friend about their latest update in the Y! Updates view, the update shows inline in the IM window so you can both refer to it
3) More controls for Yahoo! Updates. Decide what types of updates you want to see and from whom. Go to Messenger > Preferences > Yahoo! Updates
2) Updated icons in the IM window
1) Because it’s new! 
For more details on these new features, view our Yahoo! Messenger 10 Beta article from launch day. Or watch the demo video:
We hope you’ll try out Yahoo! Messenger 10! When you do, be sure to send us your feedback by going to the Help menu and selecting “Send Feedback”.
Sarah Bacon
Product Manager
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