Fixed Environment IM
Instant Messaging or IM is described by wikipedia as “a form of real-time communication between
two or more people based on typed text. The text is conveyed via computers connected over a
network such as the Internet”. Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL are probably the best examples of this
synchronous form of communication versus the asynchronous communication offered via email tools.
With each of these fixed IM providers listed having large user bases. The fixed environment such as
a laptop or PC includes rich user interface experiences with typically high bandwidth
Features of MIM
Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) has many features that can not avail themselves in a Fixed IM
environment. Mobility enables users to interact with other users who are either based on a
fixed IM such as Yahoo, AOL or Microsoft or on MIM such as MobiChat. Messages via providers
such as MobiChat can be addressed to other users regardless of the IM platform utilized by
the recipient. And being synchronous a sender can know when his or her “buddies” are available.
MIM versus SMS
SMS is transaction based with the sender not knowing the availability of the recipient and without
the benefit of an alias. SMS as a result can be more highly priced as a result of a per transaction
fee. Real-time messaging is a reality with MIM as users are aware of whom in their community is
currently available allowing real-time text messaging and communication. MobiChat IM is technology
agnostic in that it is fully interoperable between robust IM systems.
