Yahoo! Messenger for Mac offers WLM tease

[Jeff]

Yahoo! has released a new beta version of Yahoo! Messenger for Mac OS X that includes a teaser about Windows Live Messenger interoperability.

The Yahoo! Messenger for Mac 3.0 beta is the first major update in three years. The interface is actually very clean. It includes support for avatars and webcams, and used the iChat-style conversation windows. These screens show the contact list and a typical chat window.

I like the fact that, like Windows Live Messenger and Google Talk, if you send multiple messages to a contact without a reply from them, they are automatically grouped, rather than repeating your name by each message. Also, like the Yahoo! Messenger 8 beta for Windows, the Mac version includes integration with iTunes.

All-in-all it looks like good news for Mac users, and since Microsoft's support for Mac Messenger seems to be sorely lagging, Yahoo! Messenger could provide a very viable alternative, even for former Mac:Messenger users.

Thanks to RJT for tipping me off on this one!

[Jeff]

Inziga posted a scoop over at the Trillian forums stating that the current Mac beta already allows you to add @msn.com users and send IMs to them, however they cannot yet reply. Other Windows Live ID domains (i.e. @hotmail.com or your own domain) can also be added, but you cannot send IMs to them yet.

It won't be long!

[PolarBearNPR]

Thanks for putting this article up. I've been wanting to try IMing, but the MAC stuff was limited. I'll give this a try and see how it goes.

[detn8r]

Maybe it has flown over my head, but where in the article does it mention the actual tease it's supposed to leak?

[Jeff]

It's not obvious. The "tease" is more apparent when you click the link to get Yahoo! Messenger for Mac, where it says:

"Coming soon: IM with friends that use Windows Live™ (MSN) Messenger"

Not soon enough! They previously promised interoperability would be delivered second quarter of 2006, which just ended last Friday. They were close, but it didn't quite make the initial release. My sources tell me you'll see something by the end of July. ;)

[detn8r]

According to RJT over at mess.be, Yahoo! Messenger 4 Mac already allows you communicate to WLM, but just one way.

http://www.mess.be/_pictures/screenshots/yahoomess.jpg

[Jeff]

Yeah detn8r, that was posted in the first comment to this story. And actually, it was reported at the Trillian forums first.

[scottspinola]

I'm running Y!M Beta (latest build) and it does not have the Apple-esque brushed metal interface shown in this article. Is that a downloadable skin? Neither of the two builds I have (17006, 18274) has an option for this interface; or for skins at all for that matter.

P.S. It's about freaking time Yahoo! upgraded their client. Their Mac support is PA-THET-IC.