Instant messaging is everywhere. We hesitate to say that it's all things to all people, but what else do you call something that's the centerpiece of modern teenage social life, a must-have business app, and a way to reach out to friends and family at the speed of light during the most difficult of times? The last was particularly true during the September 11 terrorist attack. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) [aol.com/aim] alone generates more than 650 million instant messages daily. Researchers predict that by 2004, IM users will be sending 7 billion messages every day. And while most of the millions of new users who sign on each month won't venture beyond simple text messaging, the latest IM software makes your current IM client look like a horse and buggy sitting next to a Lexus. Here's a look at today's IM reality, and what you can expect from it in the near future.
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