IM, e-mail integrated

Google users will be able to conduct instant messaging (IM) chats from a Google Web browser window, alongside their e-mails, instead of requiring a separate application, Reuters reports.

Google, known for its simple and powerful Web searching, hopes that by embedding new IM software it calls "Gmail Chat" into its existing e-mail service, it can differentiate itself in a crowded market it was late to join.

The company is struggling to stand out in an entrenched field. IM was pioneered by America Online more than a decade ago. AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft now have tens of millions of users each.

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General Wireless has announced the launch of eMMS Toolbar, a toolbar that enables SMS and MMS content to be sent easily from Internet Explorer to mobile phones.

The eMMS technology can be integrated into other toolbars, meaning Google, Yahoo, Skype and others could all benefit, according to a company statement.

General Wireless is the market leader in the PC-to-mobile messaging market, according to Frost & Sullivan, which predicts that total revenues from PC-to-mobile messaging will reach 424.4 million euros by 2010.

British Telecom has temporarily suspended trials of a new SMS service because of fears that it could breach data protection laws. The Register says the service allowed users to SMS BT to check on their phone bills or find progress on a fault. However, people were also able to see details of other users` phone bills through the service.

India`s The Hindu news reports that the country`s South Western Railway (SWR) now offers railway information via SMS. Announcing new services in Bangalore this week, Divisional Railway Manager Mahesh Kumar said railway information on SMS was the first of its kind in the country.

Mobile phone users will be able to access information about arrivals, departures, alerts and accommodation availability.

Meanwhile, the Deccan Herald reports that the High Court in Madras this week ordered cellular operators to stop sending out SMS updates on the India-Pakistan one-day international cricket series. The court found that Chennai-based Marksman Marketing Service had exclusive global SMS rights on the series.