PopTok reinvents IM

Israeli start-up PopTok is inviting people to test a free service that weaves snippets from memorable films or hot music videos into instant messages and e-mail, says AFP.

Instead of relying on abbreviations such as "LOL" to indicate "laugh out loud", people using PopTok can let movie characters, live or animated, do it for them in short clips dropped into conversations.

A friend's attention online can be grabbed with Denzel Washington delivering the movie line "I'd love to talk to you".

Mitel has released new unified communications products designed to provide easy-to-deploy messaging, audio and Web conferencing, mobility solutions and easy-to-use IP desk phones, reports eChannelLine.

The company has also fully integrated the technology it acquired last year when it purchased Inter-Tel.

The vendor is consolidating its solutions in the small to medium-sized business space, which Asif Rehman, director of solutions marketing at Mitel, said is typically underserved.

US wireless telecoms company Alltel is enhancing its My Circle rate plans by letting customers add unlimited text, video and picture messaging for $7.99 per month, states FierceWireless.

This addition lets My Circle customers send messaging to anyone in their Circle as well as other Alltel Wireless customers.

Customers can also select other message pack plans for $7.99 per month or $12.99 per month which provide users with 400 or 1 000 additional text/video/picture messages to those outside their Circle or that are not Alltel customers.