RSSAOL Testing Next Generation AIM Client
By David Worthington and Nate Mook | Published April 26, 2005, 12:00 AM
BetaNews has learned that America Online has begun beta testing the next generation of its AOL Instant Messaging software called "Triton," which will replace the existing AIM client. Triton addresses user grievances while adding highly anticipated bells and whistles including tabbed messaging and chat logging.
As the first major overhaul to AIM since its inception, Triton introduces an entirely new, simplified user interface that adopts contemporary elements such as tabbed message windows to switch between different modes of communication. Users can also corral all chat sessions into a single, tabbed window dubbed "IM Catcher."
The Triton client imports features such as mini Buddy Icons from AOL's client software and contains several idiosyncrasies of its own like Flash-based animated smiley backgrounds that augment user personalization.
Underneath its new veneer, Triton has been completely rewritten from the ground up to support advanced communications services such as Voice over IP (VoIP) Internet telephony.
More specifically, AIM will directly connect with AOL's Internet Phone Service. Triton will not be able to dial out at this time, but that capability will arrive in a future iteration of the client.
Communication features are exposed through Triton's "Quicknote" dialog, which replaces the initial IM window and provides a snapshot of user information. Quicknote lists a variety of ways to contact a buddy and will be expanded with more options as new features are added in subsequent beta builds.
An AOL spokesperson told BetaNews that Triton will provide more seamless integration of communications options.
For instance, there will be no discernible difference between how AOL handles SMS text messages in comparison to PC-to-PC instant messages. AOL is applying that logic to other areas of the client and is taking a more intuitive approach to its chat and talk features. Users can click and drag buddies into multi-party conversations and find contacts to participate more easily through "Type down" searching in AIM's Buddy List.
Responding to a longstanding complaint from users, Triton will finally bring integrated message archiving to AIM. In the current beta, conversations are saved for reference until a user signs off, although full automatic logging is slated for addition once security issues are settled.
Answering another user grievance, AOL will pair down the number of preference options in AIM, taking what it refers to as a "smarter approach." A spokesperson said that the current AIM client was heavy with preferences because, "We couldn't decide one way or another."
So they are rebuilding the client from the ground up yet they are using the old protocol? What gives? Why the heck are they not going with SIMPLE since It's based on SIP which is what I assume they are using for their VoIP ? If they stick with their existing protocol wouldn't that be much like putting lipstick on a pig?
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|Behind my network it says my password is wrong. I changed it to all letters (had numbers before) and that didn't work either. "Invalid password" or something like that.
While I know it's Beta, you would think they'd use SOME portion of the old code just to get it off the ground.
Then again AIM's protocols, in general, are not very forgiving. I can't use trillian at times because of it. (DC, Chat, etc.) sometimes I can only use msging.
Oh well. It looked purty ... from what I saw.
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|Tabbed messaging is for the birds..
I dislike it, heck I do not even use Wordpad or any other program with tabs, other than VC++ 6
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|Nice software development cycle, AOL creates AIM, Trillian build own client using AOL IM Protocols. AOL's client blows so now they copy Trillian? Even have a similar name. Oh well, with AOL being an advertising wh*** i'm sure Trillian will continue to rock AOL for years to come.
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|I would say this version is an upgrade, but is far removed from the label "Next Generation".
I also notice AOL appears to be ripping out its client software features and putting them in Triton and its new AOL Browser. It seems as if AOL's plan is to slowly phase out the bulky software in favor of smaller clients.
If you try using the AOL client software, almost all the keywords you go to open up the in-client browser anyway, so really the bulky client is not necessary.
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|Why is it that so many small or independent developers give us so much quality software, often without reward, and huge companies like AOL can only spit out this bloated garbage?
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|You've been Slashdotted and modded up: http://slashdot.org/comm...147421&cid=12351254
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|And what about us Mac users?
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|And us linux users (or we can always use gaim)
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|iChat - I wish I could get it for Windows, it's one of the best designed IM clients I have ever used.
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|it looks nice and clean, hopefully it stays that way :|
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|Apparently they are going to integrate the banner ads into the final release.
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|This is a really weak beta, it crashes a lot, takes up to 30 seconds to exit windows, the layout is nice but still clunky and slow and hard to navigate. Right now the learning curve seems hard after using old AIM. I already went back to the old AIM until a better beta comes out
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|And then well have a new Aim AdHack
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|This beta was just put out, like most betas, to give the general public a look into what the company is doing behind the scenes. You cannot even begin to compare it to an old, finished version of AIM. As far as you or anyone else knows, when they're done it could prove to be faster, easier and simpler to use than any other version of AIM ever was.
At least that's my $0.02 as a developer.
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|nice looking. too bad i couldn't get it to work.
well, that's why it's a B E T A.
If I could just get my mom to learn how to install Yahoo IM, I could dump AIM for good.
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|The new client installed and runs fine on my computer. The settings take a little longer to load though; But all in all it looks promising. There are some thing I don't like though:
*After I establish a conversation with a buddie in a single conversation [after I "Tore it out"] I can not drag a new buddy into the conversation!
*The trails in the menus are a bit extreme-tone it down guys.
*You cannot edit the Settings unless you are looged in. Why not?
*It automaticly bugs you if you can't Sync an address book, but it won't remember your buddylist settings?
*(Default setup)Closing the buddy list disconnects you and then it doesnt remember your screen name and password?
Triton is still in need of basic improvement to cath-up to AIM before it can compete with third party clients!
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