“Instant messaging, once considered a toy for teenagers, could
be the next killer business app — provided it overcomes what
industry insiders say is the AOL stumbling block.”
“The latest IM technologies will be on display at the Instant
Messaging 2000 show in Boston next Tuesday, including combinations
of text with voice and video technology. In the lead-up to the
conference, versions of the technology designed for wireless
devices have been popping up, work on an official standard has been
making serious headway, and a version of IM has gone open source.
“
“…Jabber’s Miller said that aspect of IM is appealing to
developers — using the technology to go beyond chatting. While
instant messaging lets you talk to another person, it also gives
you the ability to find out information about them — where they
are, what their status is — that can be developed in other
ways.“