Sometimes, emails just won’t fit the job when you need a fast exchange of replies. Hence, IM or instant messaging became so popular that half of the online population reportedly has an account or several accounts with various IM providers.

IM providers are equipped with the basic feature of real-time and near real-time text messaging which has significantly changed the way we communicate. But IM technology does not seem to rest on this. Many exciting features have been introduced and providers keep on expanding their current line of services, combining features with other programs and creating new instant messaging highlights.

To start off, video-chat is already available in most IM providers. Others also allow subscribers to talk to their contacts just like in a telephone conversation. MSN, Yahoo! And Google have incorporated email notification with their instant messaging services. Aside from that, you can create chat rooms to include all your online buddies in a conversation, share files and web links, send or check videos and images and play tunes for your contacts. 

More enhancements include content streaming and mobile capability.  Now you can send instant messages and share files from your mobile phones. IM screens can also be customized with your preferred icons, skins, status, greetings and more depending on your provider. Even gamers have found their niche in a Windows Live Messenger that hosts instant messages between Xbox 360 players.

More and more users discover the ease and efficiency of this tool. The only setback however is that instant messaging is not regarded as secured communication. Some user logs have been hacked and there were cases of virus-containing files sent to IM subscribers, but still there seems to be no stopping IM from being a top means to communicate.

Posted in: Internet