IBM Moves IM Towards Full Interoperability

IBM will allow Lotus Sametime instant messaging users chat online with others using AIM, YIM, Google Talk, iChat or iCQ. However, Lotus Sametime will not work with Microsoft’s popular MSN Messenger client.

IBM’s announcement is a small setp towards a more homogenous IM-world where users will be able to chat with whoever they like, regardless of their chosen IM client. Currently there is a move towards this with Microsft and Yahoo inking a deal to allow users of MSN Messenger and YIM to chat. AIM users will also be allowed to chat with Google Talk users under the terms of the recent $1 billion dollar AOL / Google deal. However, the road towards total interoperability is proving a long and winding road, where corporations seek to lock in users in order to maximize advertising revenues.