Most people have probably been guilty of this at some point in their lives; sending multiple emails back and forth to try and make plans when a quick telephone call would probably - more often than not - be a lot quicker. Indeed, email ‘conversations' are possibly one of the biggest drains of staff time in many workplaces.

Similarly, in the world of mobile phones, sending text messages back and forth in an attempt to make arrangements for the evening can often be a far more costly and time-consuming process than simply hitting the ‘call' button and having a 30 second chat.

But of course, there is a good reason why many people prefer to type than to talk. Simply put, responding by email, text or even instant message allows people to think about their response and articulate their answer more clearly. There can often be more pressure to ‘think on your feet' in a verbal conversation, whereas a more considered response is likelier in type.

Since the early days of the internet, millions of people the world over have chosen to communicate online through an instant messaging service. The main advantage this has over other methods of communication is that it is nearly always free. Furthermore, it allows people to communicate in ‘real time', there is less pressure to respond immediately, people can leave a conversation and return a few minutes later and multiple conversations can even take place simultaneously. In many ways, this mimics a real-life situation a lot more than a telephone call does.

But on the move, this has never really been an option, which is why so many people tend to get locked into long, drawn-out SMS conversations. Even sending emails from mobile phones has been a common means of communicating on the move for many years. Now, though, instant messaging has moved into the mobile realm, enabling real-time conversations at no cost.

Whilst a laptop and wireless connection would traditionally have been the only way to ‘instant message' on the move, now there is Skype mobile, which is free software that can be downloaded for various portable gadgets from Windows mobile devices and Smart Phones, to WiFi-enabled phones and even the PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Having the added option of instant messaging enables far more flexibility from a mobile device. Being able to have real-time conversations with a friend, relative or business colleague anywhere in the world at any time, and at no cost, makes perfect sense; if it's possible at a desk, then why not anywhere else?

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