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AOL to Launch VOIP, Profile Services

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

May 5, 2006, 10:39 AM

AOL has plans to offer a new service for users of its instant messaging client that would allow them to receive incoming telephone calls. Called Phoneline, the feature provides a telephone number to subscribers free of charge. A pay version would also be offered, which would allow unlimited calls to U.S. and 30 countries worldwide for $14.95 a month, AOL said Thursday.

Phoneline is intended to compete directly with VoIP provider Skype, which offers similar services through its desktop client. However, Skype users must pay an additional fee to receive a phone number for their account. AOL also plans to take on MySpace and MSN Spaces with the launch of AIM Pages, a social networking service that would alert the user's buddies through the AIM client when profiles are updated.

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By sanawar

posted May 5, 2006 - 12:14 PM

flyingmetalspatula,

I endorse you 100%!! They are going to give numbers but the people won't use it....cause it won't work :-) or it will work the way their Triton is working :-)

Score: 0

By flyingmetalspatula

posted May 5, 2006 - 11:05 AM

fantastic.
I'm certain it'll be another quality product... um.... yeah... like.... Triton.

Why doesn't AOL focus their engery, perfect one thing and then move onto another product.

If they want 50 crap products, and for no one to use them, then their current strategy is brilliant.

Score: 0

By TomA102210

posted May 6, 2006 - 10:13 AM

"fantastic.
I'm certain it'll be another quality product... um.... yeah... like.... Triton."
---------------------------------------------
Most of us don't have a problem with Triton. When we do, we realize that it is still in beta and accept that. That's why we test. If you don't like it, move on. As for "50 crap products"? AOL seems to be doing quite well. Again, if you don't like what they are doing, move on. You won't be missed.

Score: 0

By M.Sweazey

edited May 6, 2006 - 8:01 PM

They are simply copying MS's strategy in adding 'features' rather then fixing the plethora of legacy bugs - I mean 'features'.

But with the new Telecom reform bill that allows tiered services and the network owner's restricting of competing services, their service may be moot, as it can be either frozen out (by the telcos simply not authorizing/carrying it) or priced out of competition by having to pay higher fees than the native services.

Score: 0

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