Microsoft, Yahoo break ice, link messengers

Yahoo and Microsoft have announced that they have broken the wall between their formerly exclusive instant messaging services and allow members to mingle from today.

The union of Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger systems will create the world's largest combined IM network with nearly 350 million users, the companies said in a joint release.

Users will need to install the latest versions of Yahoo and Live messaging software to make connections. The programmes will be available for free download from their websites, the release added.