DULLES, Va.-Wireless instant messaging continues to surge, with one-third of all desktop IM users sending instant or text messages from cell phones at least once a week, according to a study from America Online Inc.
The Internet giant’s third annual survey found nearly half of desktop IM users between the ages of 13 and 21 use text and instant messaging on their phones, and 24 percent of 35- to 54-year-olds use mobile messaging services.
Unsurprisingly, AOL also found support for its new Internet voice services. One-fifth of those polled said they use or would like to try making calls directly from their IM service, and 12 percent expressed interest replacing fixed-line service with an IM-based Internet voice application. AOL launched a Voice over Internet Protocol service earlier this year to complement its online offerings.
“Instant messaging is a part of everyday life, with more and more people using their IM service as a starting point for all communications, from sending mobile messages to friends on cell phones to placing VoIP-based phone calls,” said AOL’s Chamath Palihapitiya.
