New ICQ hooks up with AIM

America Online will release a new version of its ICQ instant-messaging software that will allow users to communicate with its AOL subscribers. The new version of ICQ Lite is scheduled to launch within the next 30 days, according to an AOL representative.

AOL and ICQ have traditionally remained separate fiefdoms in the same kingdom. AOL executives for years resisted interoperability between AIM and ICQ but only recently decided to open the gates. AOL Instant Messenger released a version of its software last October that allowed AIM users to add ICQ handles to their buddy list.