Topic: MSN plans internet phone calls

[Clive]

August 31, 2005
Web User

Microsoft has stepped up plans to let MSN Messenger users make phone calls from their PCs.

With the purchase yesterday of internet telephony company Teleo, Microsoft said it would develop new communications products and services for MSN users.

Teleo's technology let you place phone calls to land lines or mobile phones from a PC, including the ability to place a phone call just by clicking on a phone number on screen, such as in an email or contact book.

MSN Messenger already includes the ability to make PC to PC audio and video calls. The news follows Google's entry into the voice calling market last week with its PC to PC calling product Google Talk.

Microsoft has also added an anti-phishing - fraudulent emails designed to trick users into revealing passwords - facility to its MSN Toolbar, but only for US customers at present.