iChat billing system

has introduced a beta version of its FaceBridge AVIM Commerce Server for Apple's iChat instant-messaging system. The FaceBridge Server allows Apple instant-messaging users to bill for their time while communicating via iChat audio and video IM ("AVIM"). The system allows Mac users to easily bill for their time online: it proxies conversations between IM users and allows users to present themselves under any number of aliases by automatically making each available when a user signs in. "This presents a huge opportunity for instant messaging to become a platform for instant commerce. Many professionals bill for time, but billing is cumbersome and often does not cover quick conversations via email or telephone."

by MacNN Staff