June 08, 2009

Yahoo is adding third-party services to its webmail with the launch of Yahoo Mail Apps. Services such as eBay's payment system PayPal, online photo-editing suite Picnik and cloud-storage service Zumo will now be available as dedicated tabs from within Yahoo Mail.

The idea is that users won't need to browse elsewhere to find applications that could help them get more out of their email.

PayPal account holders will, for example, be able to send money direct to email contacts from within the Yahoo service.

Similarly, photos sent to your Yahoo email account can be instantly edited in Picnik, while those looking to send several hi-res photos can first upload them to Zumo, and then send their email recipients a link to their online gallery.

The new apps are the fruits of Yahoo's Open Strategy, which it first unveiled last October. The strategy gives third-party developers access to Yahoo's services, allowing them to integrate directly into Mail, My Yahoo and other parts of the Yahoo empire.

The new Mail apps are currently only available to a select few Yahoo Mail beta testers. Those who wish to sign up for testing can register their interest on the Yahoo Mail Applications site.