Bringing IM Together: Interoperability Agreement Between MSN and Yahoo!

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/oct05/10-12MSNYahooMessengerPR.mspx' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/...essengerPR.mspx</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: "MSFT") today announced a landmark agreement to connect users of their consumer instant messaging (IM) services on a global basis. The industry’s first interoperability agreement between two distinct leading global consumer IM providers will give MSN® Messenger and Yahoo!® Messenger users the ability to interact with each other, forming what is expected to be the largest consumer IM community in the world, estimated to be more than 275 million strong. Being able to instant message between IM communities is one of the features most requested by MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger users, and Microsoft and Yahoo! share a commitment to provide IM interoperability while keeping consumer security and privacy first and foremost. In addition to exchanging instant messages, consumers from both communities will be able to see their friends' online presence, share select emoticons, and easily add new contacts from either service to their friends' list, all as part of their free IM service."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051013-MSNYahoo.jpg" /><br /><br />Yesterday saw two major players in the IM industry come together to reach an interoperability agreement that will come into effect in the second quarter of 2006. This major move in IM interoperability will enable users of the MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger services to engage in cross-network communication. Such a move will probably add pressure on the successful AOL Instant Messenger service, which according to sources, currently has the biggest market share. Coming to a mobile device near you: MShoo!?

[Clinton Fitch]

Personally I'm glad to see this. I have both the MSN client and the Yahoo! client loaded up and I use both of them (I've never liked Trillian) so this will be one less icon in the tray.

It should help enterprises manage what some consider a security risk as well.

Regards,

[kiwi]

this is some good news.. I just hope the clients dont become bloatware!

[rhelwig]

this is some good news.. I just hope the clients dont become bloatware!

become? 8O

And why will it take so long? Oh, right. They're both using non-standard propietary formats. :evil:

[Jason Lee]

Wonder how long it will take? I'm sure they will have to update the messenger clients. Which means no go for most pocket pc users. :(

[Clinton Fitch]

Wonder how long it will take? I'm sure they will have to update the messenger clients. Which means no go for most pocket pc users. :(

According to the press release, June 2006 is when this will all go into effect.

As for Mobile users, I didn't see anything in the release on it. I doubt it goes away though.

[ttriple]

I think this hinder competition between the two of them. I like Yahoo! Messenger over all the others because it's full of easy to use features. AIM is gears more toward teens. You can't leave a mssg for someone if the person isn't logged in on AIM. Why they haven't added this feature ???

[Jon Westfall]

I think this hinder competition between the two of them. I like Yahoo! Messenger over all the others because it's full of easy to use features. AIM is gears more toward teens. You can't leave a mssg for someone if the person isn't logged in on AIM. Why they haven't added this feature ???

Maybe because the bulk of AIM users would try to carry on conversations without the other person present. Come to think of it, that might actually improve the quality of the experience for the other party...