Cross-platform Web-based IM service introduced by BigString Corporation

A new Web-based, cross-platform, instant messaging (IM) application that enables users to send self-destructing or regular IMs across AOL’s AIM, Yahoo’s Messenger, MSN’s Messenger and Google’s Gtalk has been introduced by BigString Corporation. The free Web application incorporates BigString’s patent-pending IM technology that allows a user to send IMs which self-destruct without being copied, logged or screen-printed by the recipient.

[Redorbit News]

Instant messaging is a slippery fish for some firms

Excuse me while I ‘pop out’ from this blog posting and message one of my mates: “Is an eel a fish or not?” Be warned – using instant messaging (IM) technology for such crucial business questions is likely to become increasingly prevalent.

For a start, researcher IDC says IM is set to overtake email as the preferred form of business communication by the second half of 2010. If that sounds fanciful, then the research, sponsored by Nortel, also shows European firms are already heavily reliant on IM. More than 50 percent of respondents – twice the number of North American executives – use instant and text messaging for business.

But with regards to non-believing businesses, there is at least one significant barrier to overcome: security concerns. Research from ProcessOne suggests the majority of UK businesses miss out on instant messaging benefits because they fear workers will leak confidential information. As much as 74 per cent of firms say IM could provide collaboration benefits, but 72 per cent ban the technology because of security concerns.

[The Knowledge]

MWEB launches Nimbuzz

MWEB has launched a single tool to connect friends

MWEB has launched a single tool to connect friends who use different Instant Messaging (IM) programs such as Skype, GTalk, MSN, and Yahoo.

MWEB Nimbuzz is a messaging service for use on your PC as well as your cell phone, allowing users to combine all their messaging friends into one screen.

MWEB Nimbuzz IM is free and available to both MWEB and non-MWEB subscribers.

Says Kelly Ledger, new product development manager at MWEB, “If you have MSN buddies, but also make use of Skype, while your other friends prefer connecting on GTalk, this means logging onto different applications. Now, you only need one application, the internationally popular Nimbuzz, and the best bit is you can take it with you on your cell phone.”

[MyBroadband.co.za News]

Agilemobile.com Ltd. Announces Release

Agilemobile.com Ltd., a software development company with its primary focus on development of software for mobile phones and handheld computers, today announced the release of Agile Messenger and Agile Forces for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and the new iPhone 3G.


Agile Messenger is a multi-protocol instant messaging client for mobile phones and provides a seamless connection to the public instant messaging networks of ICQ, AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk and XMPP. Features include Agilemobile.com's multi-media messaging technology which enables users to send instant image, video, and voice messages from mobile to mobile and mobile to PC. In addition to the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch platform, Agile Messenger is already available for Windows Mobile, Symbian Series 60, 80, 90 and Symbian UIQ.

Agile Forces is truly a next generation mobile game and a great example of what the future of mobile multi player gaming is going to look like. Agile Forces is an online multi-player war strategy game. Players are able to challenge other players from all over the world through Agilemobile.com's matchmaking server or play in single player mode. This game features complex war strategy scenarios in both single player and multi-player mode, stunning graphics and over 100 challenging levels to keep the player occupied for months.

Free beta versions of Agile Messenger and Agile Forces for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch can be downloaded, for instructions visit http://www.agilemobile.com/

PRWeb Release

Hollywood big screen in an instant message

By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles
Published: June 30 2008 03:00 in FinancialTimes.com

Hollywood studios have turned to a web start-up to generate new revenues from film and television content in a deal that will allow e-mail, instant messaging and social network users to send short film clips to each other.

PopTok, which is backed by Mickey Schulhof, the former chief executive of Sony America, launches in test mode today with a library of clips capable of being used in messaging tools.

The service is similar to the emoticons used in instant messaging applications, such as Skype.

But rather than sending an emoticon of a smiley face, PopTok users will be able to send short clips from television programmes and films such as Austin Powers , Scarface and Basic Instinct .

The company has struck licensing deals with CBS, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, SonyBMG, Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers and Warner Music.

Scott Kauffman, a former Yahoo! executive who has become PopTok's chief executive, said the company would help content owners increase the value of their library titles.

"This an opportunity to breathe new life into content," he said. "[Mobile phone] ring tones did that for the music industry and we are doing it for video." PopTok, he added, would "change the way we communicate online".

PopTok is being backed by Jerusalem Venture Partners, an Israeli media-focused venture capital firm headed by Erel Margalit and GTI Group, which is run by Mr Schulhof.

Illi Edry, who founded PopTok, said the company hoped to tap into changing trends in online communication.

"People are constantly quoting lines they hear in popular movies, TV shows, and music," he said. "But people have migrated online. We will take these quotes and allow people to use them in their online conversations."

The company aims to generate revenues from advertising and also hopes to tap into the $500m-a-year Hollywood studios and TV networks spend on promoting their content. Clips from trailers promoting new films could also be used on PopTok, Mr Edry said.

The service works with most existing instant messaging and e-mail applications. PopTok plans to expand its capability to include mobile phones and social networks.

"The entertainment community really views this is as an opportunity," Mr Kauffman said. "It's an opportunity to monetise back catalogues and promote new releases."

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

Word on instant chat: Real-time messaging a business asset

When John Fairey wants to chat with a colleague, but has no time to wait for an email answer or a face-to-face talk, he clicks on the buddy list on his computer screen and sends an instant message (IM). And he almost always gets an instant answer. “It is significantly more efficient,” says the 28-year-old equity researcher for Atlanta-based Pointer Capital. “It saves time.” Researchers say his company is on the cutting edge of a growing trend by providing software that allows workers to “talk” with each other on a “real time” basis, right from their desks.

[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]

Akonix Software Says IM Networks in Danger

A local security software maker has issued a warning about malicious code attacks over instant messaging networks.

Akonix Systems Inc. said it tracked 10 new malicious code attacks over IM networks in May, raising the total count of malicious worms to 73 through May 31.

The research was conducted by Akonix and its industry colleagues in IM infrastructure and security schemes: Sophos and Secunia.

Although the number of identified worms is down from last year, the sophistication has increased, said Don Montgomery, vice president of marketing. He said just one rapidly propagating Trojan or worm could take down a business network.

[San Diego Business Journal Associates]

Multi-platform IM makes leap from PC to mobile

British company Palringo brought multi-platform IM to mobile phones for the first time. Palringo users can exchange not only text and picture messages, but also vocal IMs with users of seven other popular PC-based IM services: AOL’s AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, Gadu Gadu, ICQ, Jabber and Microsoft Windows Live Messenger.

Yahoo Messenger trojan false alarm

ZoneAlarm Pro mistakenly pegged an audio conferencing ActiveX control within Yahoo Messenger as the Yspy Trojan. As a result, users of the software were prompted to delete yacscom.dll, a critical component of the IM client. By default, the harmless control is placed in quarantine.

[Channel Register]

Yahoo, Google partner on ads, IM

After stating that it is no longer entertaining overtures from Microsoft, Yahoo revealed that it’s partnering with Google. Google said that it has signed a nonexclusive deal to display its AdSense for Search and AdSense for Content ads on Yahoo’s US and Canadian Web properties. The deal also includes a commitment to make the two companies’ instant messaging (IM) networks interoperable.

[Information Week]