Yahoo enhances e-mail with online apps

Yahoo today intensified the online battle for search engine devotees by releasing a prototype of web-based e-mail service with slick online computer applications.

The test version of Yahoo Mail has been rolled out in 19 markets including the United States, China, Australia, India, Hong Kong and Spain.

Ethan Diamond, director of product management of Yahoo, said: "This is the biggest revolution to Yahoo Mail in the decade of its existence."

"It is all about ease of use and making the basic e-mail tasks faster and easier for the layman."

Yahoo's beta mail service used Web 2.0 technology, a Silicon Valley reference to Internet firms hosting computer applications for online users instead of people keeping the programmes on their machines.

"We are ready for pretty much the world to start playing with this and give us feedback," Diamond said.

Yahoo's mail service featured mashups - blends of traditionally separate programmes such as calendars and search, according to Diamond. "You get applications cross pollinating - so you get weather and maps in an e-mail application," Diamond said.

"It really just means that the Web gets easier to use, more interactive and more developments quicker. This is definitely the first time a lot of people in the world are going to see that."