Yahoo is enhancing its instant messenger service with video capabilities as it tries to avoid being left behind by Microsoft and AOL.
The new service, a twist on videophone products which have been around for years, will enable users to see each other as they communicate over the computer by transmitting and receiving images.
Although the concept of this kind of video messaging is not new, Yahoo says its service will offer more features to accommodate users. For instance, people who adopt the new service will be able to preview their own images prior to broadcasting them, and pause their Webcams mid-broadcast to control the images they send. In addition, they will be able to control who on their Friends List may see their own images.
Yahoo, whose instant messenger competes with others from Microsoft and market leader AOL Time Warner's America Online, is hoping the new video functions will drive growth of its product.
"We think it will be a real incentive to download our product," said Lisa Pollock, director of Yahoo messaging products. Although Yahoo Messenger is used most often to type messages back and forth, it also offers a popular voice service in which two users can talk to each other.
The new video feature is being offered through a partnership with Logitech International, which makes Webcams. Beginning in July, all the Logitech Webcams sold in North America and in certain places overseas will be bundled with Yahoo Messenger, so that consumers will be able to quickly set up the service.
