Mobile Instant Messaging

OK, it’s been a couple of weeks since my last post. I’ve been thinking a lot about  – I do like Sametime (version 7.51) for instant messaging (IM) at work — it’s got a lot of cool features, and because it is based on Eclipse, you can extend it with client-side plugins — including one for Google Maps (see this from a couple of the IBM developerWorks guys). The business case for IM in the workplace is pretty solid and I personally don’t have any time for organisations that go to lots of trouble to block instant messaging use at work — it’s a good business tool guy (hey, just like the Internet and computers!) and can be a real benefit to productivity too. Of course it needs to be managed, like anything at work, but collaboration inside and outside is THE name of the game.

On the desktop, I’ve used MSN Messenger and Yahoo, but the adware and tie-ins to things like dating services have started to get a bit annoying of late. I don’t like AOL, but then again I never really liked their proprietary worldview. Jabber is great if you can get it working.

Mobile Instant Messaging though, that’s a different thing. Don’t get me wrong — mobile IM is great — it’s just that most of the stuff that goes on mobile devices (in my case Nokia E60 and Nokia N73, I also have a couple of IPAQs) is just not as functional as the desktop versions. Functionality, usability, ease of installation and ease of management/administration. Those are the critical factors to me.