Love Competition

Well if nothing else the release of Google Talk may have driven the "top three" IM(s) to "play" better together making their products better for all.
Microsoft, Yahoo to link IM services

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. are preparing to link together their free instant messaging services as they take on entrenched messaging leader AOL and market newcomer Google Inc., a source close to the companies said on Tuesday.