Yahoo!7 understands the value of getting a range of developers together in a competitive environment so comfort zones can be challenged and amazing things can happen.  The data the participants will be accessing is provided by the government so is open and allowable.  Yahoo!7 has been working closely with government departments on many security initiatives recently (Safer Internet Day, and CyberSafety) and now it’s time to have some fun!  So many thanks to the organisers for putting this event on for technology enthusiasts such as ourselves (okay so we’re more than enthusiasts, we’re totally committed!).

Yahoo!7 has a score of engineers participating in this exciting and challenging government event.  Other Yahoos will also be on hand during the day to help developers, assist in proceedings and speak about the YQL platform, a platform which is speeding up the process of building great applications, such as apps for Mail.

Yahoo!7 will be doing our best to compete and we’re especially keen as not only will we be assisting external developers to more easily access appropriate government data but it’s an opportunity for our own beloved engineers to showcase their skills, hone their creativity and celebrate their involvement as cutting-edge developers.  Wish us well!

If you use Facebook, Yahoo! Mail is getting better for you! As you may have heard, Yahoo! is putting a big focus on bringing you more social features, and this evening Yahoo! Mail is rolling out another handy way to connect with your friends. In select markets, we’re adding the ability to update your Facebook status right from Yahoo! Mail and see your friends’ Facebook profile photos when they email you. This quickly follows the feature we added last month that lets you easily import your Facebook friends’ email addresses to Yahoo! Contacts.

To turn on these features, first link your Yahoo! and Facebook accounts by clicking on the “Add to Facebook” link in the status section on the What’s New page in Yahoo! Mail.

After you log in with your Facebook credentials, you are good to go! Here’s what you’ll be able to do right from Yahoo! Mail:

Update your Facebook Status: Simply start typing what’s on your mind in the status box, and then choose where you want to share it – Yahoo!, Facebook or both.

Now hit “Share” and it gets posted where you want, including Facebook!

See Facebook profile photos when people email you: With this feature, you will see people’s Facebook profile photos – if available – anytime someone emails you.  In addition, by clicking on the profile image, you will go right to that person’s Facebook page.

Now, whether you want to send an email, IM, or update your Yahoo! or Facebook status, you can do it all from your Yahoo! Mail inbox. This integration of Facebook is just the start of how we plan to make it easier to do more right from Yahoo! Mail. Watch this space for more ways you can bridge your social worlds and Yahoo! Mail in the weeks and months ahead!

If your account is not showing the Facebook integration yet, don’t worry.  This feature is being rolled out gradually and soon it will be available across everyone’s mailboxes!

Happy Easter!

Tasla W. – Yahoo!7 Mail team

You will also find that Notepad and Calendar have been moved to the Applications box for your convenience.

We are truly excited about what the future holds and we can’t wait to add even more apps for you to choose from! Stay tuned for more apps to further enhance your email experience and make you even more productive within Yahoo!7 Mail!

Happy exploring,
Kate – Yahoo!7 Mail Team