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ICQ 5 Released With VOIP Messaging

By David Worthington and Nate Mook, BetaNews

February 7, 2005, 8:25 PM

After a brief stint in testing, ICQ 5 has left beta. America Online subsidiary ICQ has packed the instant messaging software's latest release with added communication features including a walkie-talkie function dubbed Push2Talk and improved video messaging.

Push2Talk utilizes voice over IP technology that enables buddies to speak to one another via the Web as they would with a two-way radio. Once invoked, Push2Talk's paging dialog remains open on the desktop even while the client itself is minimized.

ICQ 5 also sports new customization options and core improvements that enable dual screen support, full screen games support, and an option to change a classic ICQ behavior by using the Enter key to send messages.

These additions are aimed squarely at Yahoo, sources say. According to AOL, "ICQ is much more focused on competing with Yahoo," than other competitors - especially in the international market where it remains as a strong contender with sizeable market share. ICQ is especially interested in targeting youth audiences by providing a "cool design" with "lots of bells and whistles."

Version 5.0 is built with ICQ's open source Xtras platform architecture, which slims down the client by transforming superfluous features that range beyond core functions into Web services.

ICQ 5 is available for download via FileForum.

Add a Comment (6 Comments)

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By Pipewrench

posted Feb 8, 2005 - 9:02 PM

I hate the "Xtraz" crap. That's real good if you're a 12 year old kid but don't need it for adults. They need to release the Pro version again.

I didn't realize that ICQ 5 is actually ICQ Lite with XTraz.

Major downer. ICQ Lite is garbage. Pro is the way to roll.

Score: 0

By gawd21

posted Feb 7, 2005 - 9:28 PM

I love ICQ.

Score: 0

By Diamhair

posted Feb 7, 2005 - 11:04 PM

What? ICQ? People still use it? *rolls eyes*

Score: 0

By ezh

posted Feb 8, 2005 - 10:56 AM

People do use MSN? That's not cool.

Score: 0

By ccombe

posted Feb 8, 2005 - 4:51 AM

i cant launch the program
getting error
the procedure entry point ?Load@MCSkin@@QAEJPBD@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library likeskinutils.dll

Score: 0

By gawd21

posted Feb 8, 2005 - 12:30 PM

Uninstall it and reboot delete the folder ICQlite in your program files and then install ICQ5.02 again.

Score: 0

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