• Presence information. The majority of the value of IM over
simple SMS lies in the ability to utilize presence information.
Presence information is simply the ability to know who is
“present” and able to chat and who is not “present” and
therefore not available. Availability is key to making instant
messaging “instant.” The “instant” comes largely from being
able to identify who is available to chat and not waste time in
sending messages to those who are not.
Have you ever sent or received an email that required
action right away? Getting a time-sensitive message such as
“We are going to go get lunch, do you want to join us?” offers
both sender and receiver little value if the message is not
received, and replied to or acted on, in short order.
Although, IM is currently only used for text messaging it
will evolve beyond text very quickly. Text is a form of data.
Future networks will be able to handle higher amounts of
data, enough to allow voice calls over data channels as well
as other media types—pictures, video, audio files, and more.
End users will rely on presence data to control and filter
whom they attempt to contact and who is able to contact
them based on stated availability and user-controlled profiles.
Users will be able to tell the IM system they are available but
also further define availability in any number of ways—available
for work-related contacts only or only available after 5
p.m. for chats about happy-hour plans. This ability to control
and alter a user’s profile limits incoming messages to those
that the user deems currently relevant and useful.
Imagine using presence info the next time you want to call
someone. Often you wouldn’t bother calling if you knew they
weren’t available; you would simply call later or perhaps
choose to call someone else.
You know that those who call you or send you messages
aren’t all your friends or family—businesses such as retailers
are eager to reach out and contact you. Technologies such as
Bluetooth will allow businesses to send information to your
phone as you pass near their location. This initially sounds
good if you want this info but a real inconvenience if you
don’t. What if you could control what you receive? Imagine a
profile that you set up to allow info from restaurants—
menus, specials, seating availability—on a Friday night as you
are walking around looking for a place to eat.
This could be useful. The profile would block messages
from stores and other businesses that you aren’t currently
interested in. This could be reversed the next morning when
you are in shopping mode and could care less about finding
a place to eat. The ability to receive information and begin a
text or voice discussion with businesses you choose is valuable
to both parties.
You benefit by getting access to useful data when and how
you choose with complete control over the filtering process.
Companies benefit by knowing who is truly interested and
not offending uninterested consumers with unsolicited
offers. Presence information is an important tool for
location-based services and other messaging services that value
the ability to target who is available and potentially interested
in the message. 148