IM Watch: Microsoft Brings IM to Linux Desktop

June 19, 2007

By Vangie Beal

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.

Source: http://www.instantmessagingplanet.com/enterprise/article.php/3684061