Ping (and I'm not talking golf). A "packet" in the New York Times new Technology: Circuits section talks about a new kind of instant messenging - "pinging." The Pinger is an application that allows you to send hands-free voice IMs in lieu of text. The application can send the messages between mobiles phones and computers, and from computer to computer, as long as the computers are equipped with microphones. Starting this week, Pingers can be sent to MySpace pages.

Personally, as a consistent AIM user since the age of 13, I don't think it's going to work. While some in the online community have no problem talking singularly into a webcam, to me it always feels awkward outwardly speaking to no respondent. Truth be told, I don't even like leaving voicemails. Plus, the main point of instant messaging is instant response, and I don't see any instantaneous contact involved in any of this.  ¶ 3:15 PM