AT&T, Yahoo dress up e-mail

AT&T and Yahoo today unveiled a beta version of their enhanced WebMail service, featuring an RSS reader and other user-friendly features. AT&T Yahoo Mail is available to AT&T's broadband and dial-up Internet users.

The new features include many of the e-mail options common to Microsoft Outlook and other client-based e-mail programs such as drag-and-drop message organization, a viewing pane to preview mail before opening it, faster search capabilities and the ability to view multiple e-mails at one time.

The integrated RSS reader allows users to get news feeds, blog reports and other items fed directly into their e-mail.

An AT&T spokesman said the company plans to offer integrated voicemail-e-mail from its broadband platform, but isn't yet announced a timetable for that. Yahoo currently offers a voice-over-IP service and integrated messaging from its Yahoo Messenger instant-messaging service.

Other features new to the beta version of enhanced AT&T Yahoo Mail are: automatic check and delivery of new mail, keyboard shortcuts and right-click menus, the ability to scroll through all message headers in a folder, rather than page by page, auto-completion of addresses typed into an outgoing message; and industry-leading protection against spam and viruses. There is no specific date set on when the final version of AT&T Yahoo Mail will be released, only that it is "in the coming months."