IM Clients & Platforms
Microsoft announced its plans to
license instant messaging and digital media technology to desktop Linux
distributor Linspire. Under the
agreement, Linspire will license Microsoft code related to Voice over Internet
Protocol, Windows Media files and TrueType fonts. With the addition of the
Microsoft code to Linspire's operating system, users will be able to voice-chat
with Windows Live Messenger buddies, watch Windows Media video and audio files
on open-source media players, and view and create documents using familiar
typefaces.
If you're interested in Lotus Sametime, but are not currently using
this IM platform, IBM is offering up a free 90-day trial
of Lotus Sametime v7.5.1. For the free
trial version all the product's features are enabled, with the exception of
Lotus Sametime Gateway and the associated interoperability with public IM
networks. The trial version includes IP telephony integration, integrated
VoIP, integration with Microsoft Office and Outlook, point-to-point video mobile
device support, and plug-in and mash-up capabilities. You can download the
90-day trial version of IBM Lotus Sametime V7.5.1.
here.
Userplane and
Me.com recently announced a new
partnership that enables users to create their own social networking sites with
automatic instant messaging and chat capabilities. Under the agreement, Userplane
Webmessenger and Userplane Webchat are integrated into Me.com's Social
Networking Application Platform (SNAPP), which includes SNAPP Network, SNAPP PRO
and SNAPP Free. Userplane's IM and chat capabilities are turned on by default.
This enables community builders to deploy, customize and administer social
networks that reflect their interests and attract their niche audiences.
IM Security and Management
Symantec announced the latest version
of Symantec Information Foundation, an integrated Information Risk Management
(IRM) product suite. Symantec Information Foundation offers companies multiple
controls to safeguard against data loss with unified protection for e-mail, Web
and instant messaging. New control features include identification,
classification and control of sensitive corporate data held in databases,
e-mails, IM and file systems, review, hold, release and audit of e-mail, IM and
Web communications for policy compliance, as well as beta support for filtering
out going Web communications to prevent accidental or intentional data loss
through sites such as Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or Gmail. Symantec Information
Foundation also offers integrated e-mail and IM management for IBM Lotus and
Microsoft Collaboration Platforms. Symantec Information Foundation is expected
to be available this summer.
Mobile & Voice Services
Shape Services announced a
beta test version of IM+ 5.0 that is available to download and test by
anyone using a BlackBerry. Using Shape's IM+ 5.0 enables you to connect to a
number of public IM networks including MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AOL IM,
ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with supported mobile devices. The beta download
page also says that the most active beta testers may qualify for an unlimited
licence of the software.
The world has been waiting ever so patiently for the release of
Apple's iPhone, but, according to
industry reports, a "leaked" iPhone manual indicates that iPhone users will not
be able to conduct IM conversations with instant messaging users. However, SMS
text messages on the iPhone will look like instant messaging. Other
nonsupported features, according to
InformationWeek is a lack MMS messaging for photos and videos. The iPhone is
expected to be launched on June 29th.
Sybase 365 reached an
agreement with Global Message Services to provide International SMS to mobile
subscribers across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The agreement
allows Sybase 365 to expand into this growing region and offer International SMS
services to more than 100 million subscribers across the 11 countries that
form the CIS. Subscribers of the mobile operators served by this agreement will
be able to send and receive text messages from most parts of the world.
The Gizmo Project, a free VoIP
program has added support for both AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger
enabling users to communicate with contacts on those networks. Gizmo Project is
an Internet telephone that works much like your standard instant messaging
interface and allows you to make calls from your desktop for free. Gizmo
Project, version 3.1 also supports Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk and Windows
Live users. You can download it for Windows. Mac or Linux.
This week Foonz launched free voice
messaging services for groups. This new service is designed to let you to leave a voice
message for a group, and then see exactly who has listened to it. Foonz works
with any phone from any carrier and lets anyone get a group on a single call or
leave group messages at a moment's notice. Anyone can use Foonz messaging by
setting up a free account and then creating a Foonz contact list.
IM Research
A new report by BT Global Financial Services and
Aite Group says that adoption of unified
communications (e.g. the interaction of voice, IM, video, e-mail and chat
over one platform) will play a central role in the trading environment. Entitled
"Trade Communication Tools: Enhancing Productivity and Collaboration Through
Integration," the study also found that Close to 60 percent of respondents
indicated that voice is very important during trading with almost as much
importance placed on instant messaging.
According to a new study by Gartner,
consumer-oriented technologies and services are creating holes in enterprise
safeguards. The study points out some specific technologies such as
blogs, instant messaging, and even Nintendo Wiis and MP3 players. Gartner says
that employees often exchange work materials with their PCs and devices at home,
and many of these types of devices and the software used on them are
increasingly a target for malicious code. Gartner cautions that IT managers need
to keep in mind the corporate information that could be stored or distributed on
these devices.
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Tell us about it.
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