<p>Yahoo is to shutter several features of its instant messaging tool, Yahoo Messenger, in a bid to free up its resources for developing new features.Yahoo is closing some features on its Messenger service. Image: CNET</p><p>Most of the doomed features Public Chat Rooms, Pingbox and Windows Live Messenger interoperability will be axed on 14 December. On 30 January, Yahoo will also stop offering its paid-for Jajah-based VoIP features, Yahoo Voice Phone In and Phone Out.</p><p>"Sometimes we have to make tough decisions, like closing down features that we feel aren't adding enough value for you," Yahoo said in a Friday blog post. "This helps us spend more energy on creating experiences that make Yahoo the most fun way to spend your time.</p><p>"With this in mind, we have decided to discontinue several Yahoo product features. This will enable us to refocus our efforts on modernising our core Yahoo products experiences and of course, create new ones."</p><p><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/yahoo-messenger-loses-raft-of-features-in-business-streamlining-7000008208/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2012/12/03/yahoo-drops-messengers-phone-windows.html">Yahoo drops Messenger's phone, Windows Live features</a> (Bizjournals.com)</p><p><a href="http://www.liveside.net/2012/12/01/yahoo-messenger-discontinues-interoperability-with-windows-live-messenger/">Yahoo! Messenger discontinues interoperability with Windows Live Messenger</a> (LiveSide)</p><p><a href="http://media.cbronline.com/news/yahoo-cuts-windows-live-messenger-support-031212">Yahoo cuts Windows Live Messenger support</a> (Computer Business Review)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dKbGiOEUAk5BdmMHmH25B4IbGKabM&ned=us">29 additional articles.</a></p>