Following up a report in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, it seems there's something in the rumour that Microsoft and Yahoo will be making their compatible.
CNet has had a tip-off saying that the firms "are close to a pact that would allow users of their respective instant messaging services to exchange messages with one another".
The exchange of both text and voice messages is being considered, although the source stressed that details of the pact are still being finalized. The two companies are planning to announce the deal on Wednesday, the source said.
A Microsoft representative declined to comment on the matter. A Yahoo representative was not immediately available for comment.
I'm sure that it's more than a little to do with the launch of Google Talk, but if you're a consumer, who cares? The instant messaging market has been problematic in the past, with a wealth of closed standards and incompatible products. Hopefully that's becoming a thing of the past.
If they are indeed planning to announce today, then I'm sure we'll hear fairly soon.
Comment from Jack: Of course, Microsoft business software users can already interoperate with Yahoo, AOL and MSN instant messaging services, using Microsoft Live Communications Server 2005. It's just not available for public consumption..... ;-)
