Convergence is a term that keeps changing. A couple of years ago, people talking about convergence usually meant integrating a traditional email inbox with a VoIP-enabled phone line, so that you could have your voice mail and email in a single inbox. Then people started to layer in instant messaging. Now you find some who talk about RSS feeds as part of this equation. Is a single inbox a pipedream that we're going to have to abandon, or do you see a path that allows us to integrate these different types of messages?
I think the first signs of integration are already present. One example is "availability flagging" in email clients when a person is available in an instant-messaging (IM) client. We're going to see that extended to voice too, and with developments at the big ISPs and from individual companies like Skype. We’re not too far away from the day when you simply choose whether you want data, voice, or video, and the integrated application figures out how best to communicate with the person or group you’re trying to reach. Of course, this all presumes some level of directory integration, so address books, contact managers, and directories are going to be key here.
We’re also hearing about some interesting features in forthcoming releases of Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows regarding RSS reader capabilities in the browser. Personally, I think that RSS capabilities are going to have to be built into the browser and email clients. I fully expect email service providers who are responsible for legitimate outbound bulk email to embrace RSS and offer email and RSS capabilities to their customers. In turn, that will enable users to subscribe to RSS feeds, and they need to be able to view that content in their next generation email clients. But there’s some way to go on that integration, and we’re also already seeing attacks on blogs/RSS in the form of comment spam.
You've blogged about Skype and related technologies. How are you using them now, and what kinds of capabilities do you think they will bring to organisations in the future?
Personally, I'm using Skype to talk to family overseas. I'm using the Skype direct and the Skype out service. Professionally, our organisation is distributed. I’ve started to use Skype internally, because it allows me to integrate text messaging (in which I can, for example, share URLs for easy clicking) in parallel with a voice conversation.
The integration of media types together with cost savings and workgroup collaboration are going to be the major deployment drivers. I think there’s going to be a major battle between the email client, IM and desktop VoIP providers. They all want us to use theirs as the predominant interface and brand. The user needs integration. The problem right now is the lack of integration and proliferation of communication clients. I’ve got an email client, AOL IM client, and Skype running with contact management. Not to mention my POTS and mobile phones!
