Yahoo! Messenger 7.0

Introduction

Yahoo! Messenger 7.0 is here in beta testing. The change is not quite as extraordinary is that from version 5 to 6, the general appearance and functionality remains the same, I would have personally assigned this version of messenger the 6.5 or less, as it doesn't deserve a whole new major version number.

I want it

Get 7,0,0,242 here: http://messenger.yahoo.com/intl/us/beta/

Update: That page stopped working shortly after posting, maybe it was not meant for release yet? You could try here too, but beware googling for the beta, you'll probably find the 6,0,0,1327 version which you DON'T want.

What's New

• Easier Yahoo! Search - Integrated into the top right of many screens (opens yahoo.com but without the search critera)
• Integrated Email Button - Opens up email client (opens default email client with no data)
• Single Session Archive - Archive Messages for one session only
• SpamGuard - report IM as Spam
• Call - Call users - promoted as free worldwide calls - its voice chat remade
• Speed - It does seem faster than version 6 in the context of opening and displaying itsself.
• Integrated File Send - no longer in a second window.

Cosmetics

A major annoyance has been fixed too, the buddy list can be resized to about 400pixels high, so it no longer takes the full screen.

By default the screen is too thin to accommodate all of the buttons, if you're looking for the chat button, it's off screen, you'll need to extend the menu.

There is a horizontal scroll on the user list in the chat rooms, this appears not to work, so names are still shortened.

SpamGuard

Receive a message from a buddy not in your list? No problem, you can either add them or report them as spam. SpamGuard will add the user to your list, as well as apparantely work with other reports to make spam a thing of the past, although I dont know how.

Instant Message Improvements

In addition to SpamGuard, Instant messages allow you to review past conversations, a short history or a full archive view of what you have discussed before, if archives are enabled.

File transfers now appear inside the IM window, like in MSN, rather than having a second window showing you the status.

You can initiate a file transfer simply by dragging the file or picture to the messenger window, where it will automatically send the file.

You can choose to archive messages for a single Messenger session, rather than always.

In place of the previos voice chat, one can now initiate a call to the person. This is believed to be much higher quality, and currently a p2p based system, that is your computer will act as a server, and the IP address sent to the recipient.

Free Computer - Computer Calls

Yahoo! Messenger includes, in addition to standard voice chat for chat, a new calling feature. This involves a higher quality voice call between 2 computers, using your microphone and speakers.

This feature is only available between 2 version 7 users, and messenger will perform this check before enabling the call to take place.

Current Bugs

• URL posted to tell other users to get beta is incorrect.
• Chat rendering is very jumpy, and the horizontal scroll in the user list does not work.
• The mail button opens the mail client with no details - perhaps it should warn you no details are provided?
• The Yahoo! Search buttons open the yahoo.com webpage, but do not submit any search criteria.
• Under the Contacts menu, the option under "Voice Messages & Call History" Should be ringtone, but wont display if contacts are selected.