Viewers can import their instant-messaging buddy lists and chat online with friends while watching the same programme.

ECONOMIST: The future of television

Aimster is an add-on to the software that lets users swap files with the people in their buddy lists.

BBC: Ready, Aimster, Swap

That was before my earbuds evolved into buddy lists.

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In South Korea SK Telecom has, in just over two years, signed up more than 2 million people for a service that lets people know when others on their buddy lists are nearby.

FORBES: Going Virtual

Some of the most interesting speculation has centered around iChat, Apple's instant-messaging client that lets users send messages using their buddy lists from AOL Time Warner 's (nyse: AOL - news - people ) AOL Instant Messenger.

FORBES: Magazine Article