Tech Shout

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Microsoft as well as Yahoo users all over the world, will now be able to chat to each other across their networks today, July 13 onwards. Yahoo and Microsoft are creating the world’s largest consumer instant messaging community, with nearly 350 million accounts. This landmark deal was struck at least nine months ago by Microsoft and Yahoo, the popular Internet goliaths.

The popular instant messaging software has become an indispensable means of communication for most people today. The instant messaging software includes text messaging, file sharing, voice conversations as well as video chats. However, the software has suffered from a lack of interoperability between systems as users of Yahoo, Microsoft, Google, AOPL and Skype software have not been able to chat with one another.

“This marks a big breakthrough and an unprecedented technical achievement. We expect this to grow demand and adoption of IM globally,” said Brad Garlinghouse, communications senior vice-president at Yahoo. We believe this is a turning point for the IM industry,” added Blake Irving, corporate vice-president of Windows Live Platform at Microsoft.

Users of this newly added feature will be able to exchange text messages, see friends online, share some emoticons, view personal status message and add new contacts from either service.

The interoperability will work only for those users, who have the latest version of the Windows and Yahoo Messenger programs. However, not everyone would be able to use the service right away, as testing is still being conducted. Those interested in participating in the Yahoo-Microsoft tie-up can register for the test version at the Yahoo site.