Microsoft innovates instant messaging

Microsoft pushes new communications software Michael Paige Mar 08 2005 Los Angeles

Bill Gates .. unveiled a new integrated communications application.

"With these solutions, we can use the power of software to .. offer a more unified experience and a more secure trusted environment."

The software combines functions like instant messaging, voice and video, and provides access to voice and Web conferencing. It also allows computer-to-telephone integration ..

Beginning in April, customers using Microsoft's communications server software will also be able to download a service pack that allows communication with users of the instant messaging networks of both Time Warner Inc.'s AOL (TWX) and Yahoo Inc. (YHOO), along with Microsoft's own MSN service.

Yearly licenses that allow access to the three major public instant messaging networks will be available on a per-user basis ...

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I see, so I pay micros~1 a yearly rent to connect my.computer to the public Internet to talk to a third party IM service. Am I the only one to see the absurdity of this ?

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Microsoft innovates instant messaging and the telephone and CC television and email and Voice over IP .. haaaaa