Here, in this part of Europe, Yahoo Messenger is the most common instant messaging program, well over Windows Live Messenger and Skype. Today Yahoo released a beta version, which brings some cosmetic changes without the Vista interface we are all waiting for some time.

Nonetheless Messenger 9 Beta is a worthy upgrade, as it seems a lot more responsive and seems to consume less memory than it’s predecessor. The new version can be downloaded from here.

The list of actual changes is pretty small but let’s see them:

• more friendly look, teenagers oriented
• new emoticons
• flickr integration for sharing photos
• youtube link recognition (it plays in the chat window)
• skins that can be applied from the main window (but you cant’ add shadows in Vista)
• Windows + Y shortcut brings the main window and places cursor in search contact box
• emoticons in status

Below there’s a short video that highlights what has changed, or has been added.  [A full review of Yahoo Messenger 9 in Romanian, if you understand it].