Last week Derik reported on the availability of Yahoo! Messenger 3.0 Beta 1. Well, it just so happens that I was forced to use the Messenger 2.5 a few times, and I could barely even look at it. The design and interface looked like it was from the days of Mac OS Classic. Well, I think Yahoo! has finally caught on with Messenger 3.0 Beta 1, and this comparison really highlights the differences (not that it needs much help).
The new messenger has a brushed metal interface with updated buttons and menu options. It also supports the built in iSight cameras of all Intel Macs, which of course can be used to video conference. A future version is slated to allow chatting and conferencing with MSN Windows Live messenger.
The new interface—the icons, the brushed metal look, the new sounds—is really impressive. If you have any need for Yahoo! Messenger, I would definitely check out the comparison of version 2.5 with the new 3.0 Beta 1, and then I would go download Yahoo! Messenger.
Does this mean I can use an iSight camera to video conference with a Windows user and their video camera?
Donald,
Once Yahoo! releases the version of Messenger which supports Windows Live chatting (which presumably will be in Beta 2), you should be able to do that.