AOL revs Web-based AIM to version 7

AOL has upgraded its AIM Express software, an online Flash-based application that replicates many of the features of the regular downloadable software (add your own review here).

Among the new AIM Express 7.0 features are tabbed conversations, status messages, text-message support to communicate with buddies' mobile phones, and compatibility with Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 and 7, Mozilla's Firefox 2 and 3, and Apple's Safari 2 and 3.

The software is an example of the growing utility and sophistication of Web-based applications. Instant messaging, though, is somewhat more amenable to the task: it doesn't require the heavy processing burden of a spreadsheet, and not being able to work while offline isn't a big deal given that the whole point of IM is to chat with contacts on the network. Moving applications online poses some compatibility issues with various browsers or with software foundations such as Flash, but it can sidestep myriad other compatibility issues such as operating-system compatibility.

AOL also announced a new version of AIM for phones using the Windows Mobile operating system, including the Motorola Q, Samsung BlackJack, and some Palm Treo models. CNET Download.com editor Jessica Dolcourt reviewed the AIM for Windows Mobile phones beta in June.

[jscott418]

Does anybody still use AIM? IS AOL ever going to just die? My apologize to any AOL user's still out there. Take no offense but I have yet to use a good piece of software from AOL in a very long time.

[Ilgaz]

Based on market research, it is the most popular IM client especially in USA. Don't take your neighbours, nerd friends as basis while claiming something is dead.
Another good example... Would you believe MS Office 08 is the most popular selling Mac software at Amazon right after OS X Leopard? Check yourself.

[JoyceNgo-218335993631273378369]

What does MS Office 08 and Mac have to do with anything.. I don't get how it works. that was a bad example, no offense. By the way people who use AIM don't always use AOL, even though AOL made AIM. . And besides, you said on Amazon. That's only one site. ..

And what's with the "nerd friends"? You don't have to have nerd friends to tell you this. You can have dimwits tell you the same.

[fatray]

The only people that use it are the not so tech savvy AFAIK. All my friends and family use it. I refuse to use it at all.

[Ilgaz]

If AOL moves to XMPP/Jabber (they already run tests), it will be a major revolution on IM market.

[JoyceNgo-218335993631273378369]

People only use AIM because it's popular... I'm using Pidgin right now as a client, and my friend uses Trillian. Just because people use AIM, doesn't mean they really download the AIM client. I chose not to, I thought the new AIMs were ridiculous. It may be popular, but that doesn't mean people actually like it.

[nopinktoday]

AIM is a great IM client. It's probably that some just love to bash the old (MS, AOL, ect.)!
A solute AIM for lasting this long and having a good number of users.

[JoyceNgo-218335993631273378369]

Hm.. well I have trouble using AIM express now. I kind of have the fact that when I check my AIM mail, it also shows me online on the right... That's a bit annoying considering I don't always want to be online.. Is that changeable?

I totally stopped using AIM express because the last time I did, it looked like AIM 6 and it was really hard for me to do anything, it didn't even load for me.. :(