Y! and MSN merging Instant Messengers

(Source: BetaNews)

Microsoft and Yahoo are set to announce on Wednesday a blockbuster interoperability deal that will reshape the landscape of the fragmented Instant Messaging market. The companies will connect their IM networks so users on each can communicate with one another using text and voice chat free of charge.

I take it Microsoft is trying to follow this logic, if you can’t buy your competitor (AOL), just partner with their competitors and control it. This partnership between the IM market with MSFT+YHOO will result in a total marketshare of 44% of the Instant Messenger usage.

Honestly, I rarely, if ever, use MSN Messenger, ditto with Yahoo too. AIM is my primary client, although I’m connected with all three via Trillian with no problems.