In the latest of a flurry of instant messaging deals, InfoSpace.com and Microsoft Corp.
Monday merged their instant messenging services.
The companies integrated the tools for access through InfoSpace.com’s
personal desktop portal to let clients send and receive instant messages
anytime, anywhere and on any device. Also, MSN Instant Messenger users will
now have access to InfoSpace.com’s (INSP)
comprehensive services.
InfoSpace.com’s service provides instant messaging that hosts a user’s
messaging profile and group lists on the server. Incoming messages can be
routed to one-way and two-way mobile devices, even when the user’s computer
is turned off. From mobile devices, users can also access group lists, see
who is online and available for messaging and send and receive messages.
“We have the only instant messenger technology that is peer-to-peer and
device independent. By teaming with Microsoft (MSFT), we’ve extended our services
to all MSN Instant Messenger users, allowing them to utilize Internet
services from a wide variety of devices,” said Naveen Jain, chairman and
CEO, InfoSpace.com. “This is yet another example of how we are executing
our vision of delivering the most comprehensive information and services on
the Internet — anytime, anywhere and on any device.”
InfoSpace.com is a global Internet information infrastructure company with
an affiliate network of more than 2,100 Web sites. Last Friday, InfoSpace
spent $30 million to launch the InfoSpace.com Venture Capital Fund, which
will contribute to start-up companies that may contribute to
InfoSpace.com’s success in the future.
Seeking for a place in the e-commerce sector, InfoSpace.com in November
bought eCom Live, a provider of Web-based collaboration and interaction
software designed for e-commerce for $29.5 million.
