Yahoo! Messenger with Voice now includes Voice Mail using VoIP
Yes, I said voice mail. As in “leave a message and I’ll call you back”.
I’ve used instant messaging programs through Yahoo!, MSN and AOL forseveral years to communicate with clients and colleagues. The voice featurebuilt in to Yahoo! and MSN has been an extremely cost-effective way to have real-time voice conversations. Now, Yahoo! has taken the voice feature one stepfurther by adding voice mail.
It’s easy to start a voice conversation with anyone using Yahoo! Instant Messenger. If I want to contact one of my “buddies”using the voice tool, I now just click the phone icon to “call” my buddy. If my buddy doesn’t answer after 6 or so rings, I am prompted by a pleasant operator to leave a message. The next time my buddy logs on, they will see a star next to their messages and history icon, indicating they have waiting voice mail. In addition to this incredibly handy feature, Yahoo! has also added a host of new tools, including contact cards, spam reporting and drag-and-drop photo sharing.
There are also new emoticons, expanded game options, doodle pad, improved file sharing, IMVironments (interactive, themed background), LaunchCast radio and custom ringtones for incoming calls.
Yahoo! Messenger is worldwide — remote professionals can communicate with clients as well as other virutal service providers in several countries, including the United States (U.S.), Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Taiwan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland. This international voice feature through PC-to-PC interface costs nothing. The Yahoo! website says, “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. Hear for yourself.”
Learn more at the Yahoo! website at - http://messenger.yahoo.com
Not familiar with Voice over IP (VoIP)?
Voice over IP (VoIP) is a rapidly growing alternative to traditional landlines. There are three types of VoIP service available: PC-to-PC, PC-to-Phone and Broadband Phone.
- Yahoo! Messenger is an example of PC-to-PC calling. Both users communicate through a headset/microphone connected to their respective computers.
- PC-to-Phone, also referred to as Internet Phone or Web Phone, allows a user to make inexpensive outbound calls through their computer to a phone. Many PC-to-Phone VoIP providers also offer incoming/inbound phone calls for an additional fee. An incoming line rings directly at your computer. This is one of the best options for Remote Professionals, as it allows you to make and receive phone calls anywhere you have your computer and an Internet connection.
- Using a Broadband phone in place of a landline is becoming more popular for residential and business users as many cable companies begin to bundle this service with their cable package. With a Broadband phone a broadband phone adapter, like the Linksys PAP2, 8X8 Packet8, or Cisco ATA 186. Once your adapter is connected to your local Ethernet connection, plug your regular phone into the adapter and you can use your standard phone over your Internet connection. To utilize this service, you would need a service plan from a VoIP provider.
VoIP Service Providers
Below are links to providers offering Voice over IP services. These links are provided only as a resource, and their inclusion is not meant as an endorsement of any service.
Tags: Internet
