What is an instant messenger? Popular mobile messengers

Communication between people today has reached the highest level of manufacturability. Progress in the field of computer and mobile development has made possible the exchange of messages in seconds (or instantly). This allows people to communicate in real time, while being even hundreds of thousands of kilometers apart. With the help of the instant messaging system you can exchange not only text messages, but also images, audio signals and video recordings. For communications of this kind, a special client program called Instant Messenger is used. Let's figure out what messenger is, what it can be and what opportunities it gives to modern users.

MESSENGER: THE CONCEPT

Messenger - from English "courier" or "connected". These are programs for instant messaging between users. It is in speed that their main advantage lies before the ordinary e-mail. Here the message is transmitted lightning fast, while the mailbox update occurs every few minutes. Speaking of what a messenger is, it is necessary to clarify an important feature - it is a client program. This means that the program can not work on its own, it requires a connection to the server (the central computer of the network).

In the first versions of this kind of programs, the recipient saw the message already at the time of its compilation, which was not entirely convenient, since the user could make a mistake, fix it, edit the sentence, and all this was displayed in the dialog window. Today the text appears on the screen of the interlocutor after it is completely edited and sent (the Enter button or the "Send" button). In addition, in modern versions of the communication can occur not only through text messages, but also by performing other actions - the exchange of graphics, audio and video files, voice and even video calls (for example, Skype).

Features and types of instant messengers

Every modern person uses at least one, and most often several instant messengers at the same time. The need for different messaging networks is due to the fact that there is no direct connection between them. Each of the programs is created by a separate group of developers, has its own servers and protocols, features and rules of use. For example, an ICQ user can not communicate directly with someone who uses Skype or MSN. However, both of them are not forbidden.

To date, there are a number of the most popular messenger users. This is Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN, ICQ, AOL, Facebook Messenger, Skype and others. All these are Internet messengers that work when connected to the worldwide network. Messenger can be installed not only on the computer, but also on the mobile device. This became possible with the advent of affordable mobile Internet, as well as the development of multitasking smartphones. Let's take a look at the most popular free messengers, oriented to simultaneous work on devices of different types.

Google Talk

This is probably the most versatile mobile messenger. It is used in the popular social network Google+ and built-in chat Gmail. This open solution, supported by other clients working with its protocol (XMPP) is QIP, Pidgin, YaOnline, etc. Google Talk is used in Android for a variety of tasks, and the user is always online and can receive messages Even when not using chat. At the same time to work with the messenger you do not even need to have an account in Google, you can communicate through your profile in Yandex, for example.

Facebook Messenger

What is a Facebook messenger? This is a product developed by programmers of the popular social network - the only one of the largest messengers that is not tied to any particular platform. Due to this, its audience is more than others, several times. With this program, you can send messages to users of the Facebook network, and to e-mail, and even as a text message (for some operators). Anyone can receive messages using Facebook Messenger on their email. The address of the box in this case looks like this: nick@facebook.com.

IMessage

This messenger is the development for all users of Apple hardware. The program is integrated into the standard Messages application and has several advantages. So, before sending a message, the system checks whether the user is online and, depending on the result, sends him an e-mail or SMS. Another plus - you can start the correspondence on one device (for example, iPad), and continue on another (for example, iPhone). This is possible due to the presence of cloud synchronization.

Messenger

This is a standard messenger for the operating system Windows 7 Phone. It is compatible with both the official Windows Live Messenger desktop client and with many other programs (for example, Pidgin, Adium). There is a built-in mail service, a chat, a cloud version. In addition, an important point is the support of the popular Facebook network. When choosing a contact, the user can specify the method of communication (SMS, Messenger, Facebook), depending on its availability in a particular network (which the system previously reports).

Recently, such universal applications as WhatsApp Messenger, Viber and some others have become popular. They are available for installation on various devices - Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Nokia, etc.

Conclusion

Everyone knows about what an instant messenger is. This is an indispensable attribute of modern society, allowing you to build communication and communicate easily, quickly and often for free. The presence of the Internet today is not a problem, it is everywhere. Therefore, instant messengers actively replace (and quite successfully) SMS as an independent way of communication. The choice of convenient and multifunctional instant messaging networks is growing every year.