AOL has announced the new version of its instant messaging service, AIM Version 6.0 that includes features such as offline messaging, conversation logging, and a better integration of the instant messaging service, with AOL’s social networking service, AIM pages. AIM 6.0 also packs in an expandable buddy list feature, to include over 1,000 contacts and has a new mobile dashboard for access to the instant messaging service from users’ mobile phones.
The new version has ‘ buddy updates’, which will now allow AIM users to inform their buddies via RSS feeds when they update their accounts on YouTube, Digg, Flickr and Xanga among others. Moreover, the One Time Sign In feature will enable AIM users to sign in for authentication just once, to get access to ‘AIM Expressions’ for personalization and ‘AIM Mail’, along with IM forwarding and screen name linking without having to re-enter a screen name and password.
Other features of AIM 6.0 include the new ‘Away Messenger Centre’, for users to manage their online status and an enhanced IM window, which offers an interface for access to video instant messaging, audio chat and picture sharing features directly from the IM window. In addition, IM users will be able to read the new ‘BuddyBlog’ for updates on products and features, access multiple email accounts, including AOL Mail and AIM Mail, as well as Google Gmail and Yahoo! Mail Plus directly from AOL’s AIM Today page.
AIM 6.0 requires Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000.
Click here for a free AIM6.0 download.