Yahoo, Microsoft connect messenger services

SUNNYVALE, Calif.: Yahoo!

Inc., and Microsoft

Corp., will launch limited public beta testing of interoperability between their

instant messaging (IM) services to enable users of Windows Live Messenger, the

next generation of MSN Messenger, and Yahoo!

Messenger with voice to connect with each other.

Consumers worldwide from Microsoft and Yahoo! will be able to take advantage

of IM interoperability and join the limited public beta program. They will be

among the first to exchange instant messages across the free services as well as

see their friends' online presence, view personal status messages, share select emotions,

view offline messages and add new contacts from either service.

Blake Irving, corporate vice president, Windows Live Platform at Microsoft,

said, "This first-of-its-kind interoperability between consumer IM leaders

Microsoft and Yahoo! gives our customers tremendous control, convenience and

freedom in their Web communication experiences with Windows

Live. We're proud to deliver this latest advancement in IM services that

empower people to communicate with virtually whomever they want, wherever they

want and whenever they want."

Brad Garlinghouse, senior vice president of Communications, Community and

Front Doors, Yahoo!, said, "Interoperability between IM services has

consistently topped our users' wish lists, and through the collaborative efforts

between Yahoo! and Microsoft we are delighted to provide our combined global

users with the ultimate IM experience. The bridge between Yahoo!'s and

Microsoft's IM communities is bringing people around the world closer

together."

Yahoo! and Microsoft plan to make the interoperability between their

respective IM services broadly available to consumers in the coming months.

Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger with Voice users in the US and

more than 15 international markets can register to participate in the IM

interoperability beta by visiting Yahoo!

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