14 DAY TRIAL // The web-based version of Yahoo Messenger is often described as the best alternative to the downloadable instant messaging client as it allows the users to communicate with friends and family without installing any software. Following the recent improvements included in the Windows version of YM, the Sunnyvale company is now working on the web-based technology and it seems that some new features might be rolled out soon. Sarah Bacon, Product Manager, explained that the webcam support was first introduced at the "Hack Day" conference held by the Sunnyvale company, but it might be released as a final technology.
Basically, the webcam support for Yahoo Messenger for the Web would be based on a flash engine which would enable your browser application to show the images provided by the webcam device.
"Our web version of Yahoo! Messenger is lighter on features that our full version, and webcam support is one of the most frequent feature requests we receive. Two developers from our web team, Tie Zhong and Jonathan New, developed a hack that enables flash-based webcam video within Yahoo! Messenger for the Web. No extra software or download needed. Hopefully we'll see this soon in the real Yahoo! Messenger for the Web," Sarah Bacon, Product Manager, wrote on the official blog of the instant messaging application.
Yahoo Messenger for the Web can represent the perfect alternative for the traditional application because it provides the basic function in web-based mode. The service works pretty fine and you might be amazed when you first try it because it includes powerful features starting with emoticon support and ending with chat history.
At this time, there are several other 'Yahoo Messenger for the Web'-like services which allow users to communicate using the Yahoo network. For example, Meebo is one of the services which target the users of WLM, YM, Google Talk or AIM users, allowing them to communicate on the web using a single instance of their browser.