Yahoo Tests the Interoperability Waters

[BigBlueBall News]

Jeff Hester

September 15, 2003

Yahoo has been conducting an online survey that states: "Yahoo! Messenger is considering introducing a new service that would allow you to use Yahoo! Messenger to communicate with users of other instant messaging services such as AOL, MSN or ICQ."

"This premium Messenger service as described above would be offered with the current free Messenger features for a small and appropriate fee."

Yahoo appears to be considering jumping into the interoperable instant messaging arena, along with Trillian, Jabber, Miranda and others. Yahoo is the first major IM player hinting to offer interoperability on such a wide scale.

Of course, true interoperability won’t happen anytime soon. More likely it will simply provide mult-protocol compatibility, similar to Trillian and the other all-in-one clients out there. This means that you’ll still need accounts on MSN, ICQ and AIM if you want to chat with your friends on those networks.

Related Links:

• Yahoo’s User Survey Sends a Message - CNN/Money


• VOTE: Would you pay if Yahoo offered interoperability?