“The next generation of instant messaging”

As one of the mainstays of the instant messaging world, Yahoo! has finally decided to drag itself onto the VOIP bandwagon with the launch of this Voice version of its popular client. As well as offering free PC-to-PC calls and cheap PC-to-phone (landline and mobile) calls, the program throws in all the usual over-the-top gadgetry and gimmicks we've come to associate with Yahoo! Messenger.

As we've seen before from programs that try to be all things to all people, there's always a danger that things can get a little out of hand for the user, and this is the territory that Yahoo is entering with this latest incarnation of its messenger. It's true that the voice facilities in the program are top-notch, delivering crystal-clear clarity for most calls to PCs and phones. It's also true that the application boasts a bevy of interesting and innovative features, such as the ability to play games and listen to online radio together, send animated, talking emoticons, and quickly share files and photos simply by dragging and dropping them into the chat window.

Although, in the main, these features are good for a laugh, we did have a couple of things that we'd like to raise if we ever met Mr Yahoo! Firstly, we like the games but they lack instructions, so sometimes it can take a while to figure out how to play them. Also many of the so-called 'Audibles,' which are essentially animated, talking emoticons, are a little vulgar to say the least, and not really suitable for anyone with a reputation to uphold.

There are plenty of ways to customize the client to suit your mood too. The main interface is fully skinable, and you can also change the way the chat window looks by selecting from dozens of themed 'IMvironments', which certainly helps to inject some variety into your chat experiences. You can also build your own avatar – a process which can take hours as you carefully select the right haircut, clothes, sunglasses and even breed of dog to have sitting at your side in your IM profile.

Individually, these features are both innovative and compelling, but ironically they combine to contribute to the downfall of Messenger for Voice. The fact is that all of these options serve to swamp the interface and if you have a lot of the features running at the same time it's often hard to find even the text window. While it's fun and novel at first, the messenger very quickly becomes an irritant more than anything. Our advice – stick with Skype.

Languages:

English

Recent changes in Yahoo! Messenger with Voice:

Transfer files up to 1GB

OS requirements for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice:

OS: Win98/98SE/Me/2000/NT/XP

Pros

Loaded with fun, innovative features
Good quality of PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calls
Highly customizable

Cons

Tries to get you to install lots of other Yahoo! apps at the start
The number of icons, windows and options makes the interface a little difficult to wrestle with

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From the publisher of Yahoo! Messenger with Voice

Yahoo! Messenger is a free service that allows you to see when friends come online and send them instant messages. It also can alert you to new e-mail in your Yahoo Mail or Yahoo Personals account, or when you have upcoming events recorded in Yahoo Calendar. Yahoo Messenger offers firewall support, a standby mode that minimizes the program until an Internet connection is made, the ability to save and print your conversations, and a tabbed interface that provides quick access to your favorite stocks, news, and sports scores.

Other Yahoo! Messenger features include the ability to create a chat room automatically, stock price alerts, the ability to send messages to friends (even if they're not online when you are), a Quick Compact mode that hides the Yahoo! Messenger tools to maximize your viewing area, Messenger Themes, and voice chat, which allows you to talk for free to anybody else on the Internet. Using a Webcam, you can see who you're chatting with or view the Webcam of any Yahoo member who has granted you access.

Photo Sharing

When you need to share photos right away, Yahoo! Messenger with Voice is the ticket. Right in your IM window, you can share from 1 to 300 photos at a time. You can also see the photos your friend is looking at.

Yahoo! Games

Challenge your friends to classic Yahoo! Games in the IM window. When you're in an IM conversation with someone, click the Games button to access the Games menu. If your friend accepts your challenge, your game will open up right next to your conversation.

Yahoo! Search

Yahoo! Messenger makes it easy to search for information - either with friends, or on your own - right from the IM window. LiveWords is just one of the ways you can use Yahoo! Search with Yahoo! Messenger.

LiveWords is a handy way to take any word, phrase, or topic in your IM conversation, and use it as a springboard to search the web.

Just use your mouse to highlight the word or words in your message, and the LiveWords magnifying glass icon automatically appears. Then mouse over (but don't click) the icon, and a new window opens - complete with search results and relevant, up-to-the-minute links to quench your thirst for knowledge.

File Transfer

When you need to get someone that important file fast, Yahoo! Messenger is the way to go. You can drag-and-drop up to 10 files (10 megabytes each) right into the IM window. This is a great way to send documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or any other files you want, and know when they have been received.

Emoticons

These little characters are a great way to spice up IM conversations and show people how you really feel. Select them from the emoticon menu or type the keyboard shortcuts into a text message. Try them all!

Make Calls From Your PC

Making free, worldwide PC-to-PC calls is easy. You and the person you call both need Yahoo! Messenger with Voice, plus a microphone and speakers (or headset.) The sound quality is so good, you won’t be able to tell the difference between calling on Yahoo! Messenger with Voice and calling on a regular phone.

Phone-to-PC Calls

Get dialed-in to all the convenience of having your own phone number so no matter where you are, as long as you're connected to the web, when someone calls that number it rings to your computer. It's great for home and work, plus for when you're traveling. Just choose a phone number in an area code that works for you (it doesn't have to be where you live or work - you can pick any available area code). Then with the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger with Voice on your PC, when people call your number -- it will ring to your computer.