SMS vs IM (Instant Messaging)
Both SMS and IM (Instant Messaging) are the most popular communicating methods nowadays. Ever since the advent of mobile services, probably more popular than the facility to make voice calls has been one service that allows one to send text messages to another person. Also called SMS, or Short Message Service, messaging has become very commonplace and all mobile phones allow this facility. Its more advanced version, Instant Messaging (IM) is just like talking to another person in real time. It is not your voice but your messages that go across instantly and you reply to them as if you are talking to the person. However, IM is not always available as one requires net based phones for this facility. Those who have been using this facility on their PC or laptop know its usefulness. There are many mail services that are providing instant messaging such as Yahoo, Google, and MSN.
Both SMS and IM are very convenient ways of communicating with others. Both have their own features and pros and cons. There are times like in a conference room or classroom where it is improper to talk on phone. In situations like these, you can still communicate via SMS. However, one drawback of SMS is that though you may have sent the message, the recipient may not open it at the same instant and there may be a gap of some time which is not the case in IM. In IM, you know that the other person is also online and you can start chatting with him. The drawback in this system is that the person with whom you wish to chat may not be online at the same time as you are online.
SMS has provided a platform to companies to advertise their products and services in the form of SMS alerts. There are stock quotes, news, financial news, sports news, weather alerts available to people in the form of SMS for free (in some cases, on subscription). These facilities are not available on IM and you can chat only with those who are in you friend list and even among those who are online at the same instant at which you are.
One feature that makes IM more attractive is the facility to attach word files, images and small videos that can be seen by the recipient at the same time that you are chatting. This is not possible in case of SMS where you can only send text messages. There is a feature which allows one to set different ring tones for different persons in case of SMS that makes you alert whenever you receive a message from a particular person.
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SMS vs IM • Both SMS and IM are popular ways of communicating with others in situations when you do not wish to make voice calls or circumstances do not permit calling. • While SMS allows sending text messages only, one can send word files and images to the other person at the same time that he is communicating through IM • One may get delayed response of his SMS but in IM, you get instant replies. • All mobiles allow the facility of SMS while only those phones that have the facility of internet allow one to use IM.
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