Yahoo Messenger offers collaboration via voice plug in

Yahoo has released a beta Messenger with Voice application with a series of free plug-ins.

The plug-ins, created by Yahoo and by independent software developers, allow Messenger users to share and collaborately discuss files and web services with other users.

The plug-ins give access to calendar and planning functions as well as music, news,and to services such as online auction house eBay, bookstore Amazon.com and other retailers.

The Yahoo! 360° plug-in provides alerts and lets users see material from colleagues’ 360° pages.

Files can be shared by dragging and dropping them into the instant messenger application window and then discussed in real-time.

The Messenger with Voice beta has been made available in a series of languages for international users.

The Yahoo launch comes as Microsoft launches its  Windows Live Messenger service, which also includes Voice over IP and collaborative file sharing.