Magic4 delivers open instant messaging

THE LATEST VERSION of Magic4's Instant Messaging (IM) client software was only just finished in time for the 3GSM Cannes show. Visitors to the company's yacht could see this Java based app in action on a Nokia 7650 handset.

Visibly there was little to get excited about. Dinky little icons on the 7650's screen could be configured to show a scowling face, for example, if an IM user wanted to convey that he or she was upset. The big news, however, was that by conforming to the latest Wireless Village specs (v1.2), the software could detect the genuine 'presence' of a handset based user. So it knows, for example, whether a handset user has temporarily moved out of network coverage or has actually switched off the device entirely.

This capability will make for a powerful IM service whereby desktop PC users will be able to communicate instantly with mobile phone users. The only fly in the ointment lies with the big IM players - such as AOL and MSN (Microsoft) - who want to keep their systems closed rather than conforming to an open spec from Wireless Village.

Microsoft claims to have already done deals with 22 mobile operators representing 57 million mobile subscribers across 13 countries in the EMEA region. µ

LINQS
www.magic4.com