Online messaging program

Beginning Monday, some Yahoo Mail users will be able to chat in real time through their e-mail program. Yahoo said in November that it would embed instant-messaging technology directly into its Yahoo Mail program so that users wouldn't have to open up--or even install--Yahoo Messenger or another IM ,service to chat with each other online. The rollout is set to be phased over several months. ***

Microsoft has launched a public beta of Windows Live Messenger, an instant-messaging program that features international PC-to-telephone calls with video capability. As part of the beta, Uniden and Royal Philips Electronics will sell cordless phones that work with the service, allowing people to make both Messenger-based and landline phone calls from the handset. The PC-to-phone feature makes local and international calls through a Verizon Internet telephony service that has been expanded to include Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands. Called Verizon Web Calling, the service previously covered only the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. Windows Live Messenger also builds a unified contact list that draws on information from other applications. ***

America Online was preparing to unveil on Wednesday an upgrade of its AIM.com home page and redesign of its AIM Today instant messenger companion screen. They offer content updated four times a day and easy access to AIM mail, SMS text messaging and other services and tight integration with music, entertainment and other programming. AOL also is rolling out an upgrade to the AIM 5.9 service that will offer the AOL Explorer browser as an optional feature for AIM users. ***