Definition of the word instant messenger

The term "instant messenger" first appeared in the late 1990s to describe a new type of messaging technology that allowed users to send and receive texts in real-time over the internet. The technology was an evolution of earlier digital messaging systems like electronic mail (email) and bulletin board systems (BBS), which required users to submit messages and wait for a response. Instant messaging (IM), as it came to be called, featured several key technological innovations, including synchronous communication (both parties communicating at the same time) and the use of protocols for exchanging text messages quickly and reliably over the internet. This was made possible by advancements in data compression, network speed, and hardware capabilities, which allowed messages to be transmitted virtually instantaneously over the emerging broadband networks. As the technology became more widely adopted, companies like AOL, Microsoft, and Yahoo began offering their own instant messaging services, which allowed users to connect with each other across different platforms and devices. The concept of a messaging app, which has become so ubiquitous in modern communication, was born. Today, instant messaging continues to evolve, with features like voice and video calling, group messaging, and emojis adding new dimensions to this already transformative technology.