Instant messaging continued to move into wireless Wednesday, as Virgin Mobile announced a deal to bring America Online Inc.’s Instant Messaging to subscribers who purchase Virgin Mobile’s latest phone.
The offering will include traditional IM features, including presence and buddy lists, and initially will be available on a UTStarcom Inc. phone dubbed the Snapper that is being released this month. The Java-enabled camera phone features a 1.8-inch color display and two-way speakerphone, and it supports Superphonic ringtones in MP3 format. The handset will be sold through Virgin Mobile retail partners for $150.
The IM application also will be offered on other handsets slated to launch later this year.
Virgin is charging $4 a month for 150 instant messages; customers who exceed the limit automatically will receive 50 additional messages for another $1. Oz Communications Inc., a Montreal-based developer of mobile IM applications, is powering the service.
“It’s not unusual to see our heavy users exchanging instant messages as they move through their day, from home to school or work and even while on the road,” said Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president and general manager of AOL Instant Messaging.
