Persisting a group in an instant messaging application

A computing system, comprising:

• a processor;
• a data store;
• and
• a memory that comprises a plurality of components that are executable by the processor, the components comprising:
• a receiver component that receives a group message from a first instance of an instant messaging application executing on a first mobile telephone, the receiver component recognizes that the group message is desired to be disseminated to all entities of a persistent instant messaging group, wherein the persistent instant messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions;
• a message transmitter component that immediately transmits the group message to a second instance of the instant messaging application executing on a second mobile telephone, the second instance of the instant messaging application executing on the second mobile telephone when the receiver component received the group message from the first instance of the instant messaging application, and wherein the message transmitter component causes the group message to be retained in the data store as a persisted message;
• and
• an offline message transmitter component that receives an indication that a third instance of the instant messaging application has been initiated on a third mobile telephone subsequent to the receiver component receiving the group message from the first instance of the instant messaging application, wherein the offline message transmitter component accesses the persisted message in the data store and transmits the persisted message to the third instance of the instant messaging application responsive to the third instance of the instant messaging application being initiated on the third mobile telephone.

A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising:

• receiving an instant message by way of an instant messaging application that is intended for transmittal to a persistent instant messaging group, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises three or more entities, and wherein the instant messaging application supports instant messaging by way of mobile telephones;
• transmitting the instant message to a first instance of the instant messaging application executing on a first mobile telephone immediately responsive to the message being received;
• subsequent to transmitting the instant message to the first instance of the instant messaging application, detecting that a second instance of the instant messaging application has been initiated on a second mobile telephone, wherein a user of the second mobile telephone is a member of the persistent instant messaging group;
• and
• responsive to detecting that the second instance of the instant messaging application has been initiated on the second mobile telephone, transmitting the instant message to the second instance of the instant messaging application.