Yahoo talks up IM voice upgrade

Yahoo has released the first public beta of its forthcoming Yahoo Messenger software.

The application features improved support for voice calls between users, and boosts protection against instant messaging spam, or 'spim'.

It also lets users share photos and other content online by dragging and dropping files to a messaging window.

The software is set to support the upcoming Yahoo 360 blogging service. A content indicator will appear next to an ID for users who maintain a blog with the Yahoo service, informing them of new postings.

Subscribers to the Yahoo Music Unlimited service can also use the application to share music with friends.

The release allows Yahoo to catch up with competing products in some fields. MSN Messenger, for instance, already supports drag and drop file sharing and offers integration with its Spaces blogging service.

Yahoo's service is also the first to let users leave voice mail messages free of charge.

Voice over IP provider Skype introduced a voice mail service last month for €15 per year, but the two products have only a few similarities.

The Yahoo beta software is available for download here.