Siemens adds Yahoo! messaging to phones

Siemens is offering an adapter that will enable their Gigaset phones to access Yahoo! Messenger with Voice services.

The USB adapter available later this year allows users of the cordless phones to access the popular messaging service anywhere in the home rather than exclusively through a computer.

Once plugged into the PC, the adapter establishes a wireless connection through the phone's docking station.

Yahoo! Messenger with Voice allows free calls between computers as well as low-cost fixed-line phone calls. Gigaset phones belonging to the C Class and above will also display messaging features such as contact lists and presence status.

The two companies said in a release Wednesday that the project was the beginning of a beautiful friendship that was expected to develop into the long term.

"Working with Siemens will greatly increase the potential for new and existing users to take advantage of our rich communications suite," said Brad Garlinghouse, vice president of Yahoo! Communications Products. "Today's announcement is a first step in a relationship that will expand and continue to benefit both Yahoo! and Siemens customers for a long time to come."

Copyright 2006 by United Press International