RSSAOL to Introduce 2GB Web Mail with AIM
By David Worthington | Published May 11, 2005, 12:26 AM
Thursday, America Online will introduce a beta version of AOL Instant Messenger Mail, a free Web mail service for all AIM users. The service will be integrated into the second beta of a maintenance release of AIM 5.9 that will be the last of its pedigree before AOL migrates to its next generation "Triton" client software.
Like rival Google's Gmail, AIM Mail provides 2GB of storage space accompanied by new search tools to more easily locate messages.
The AIM Mail service is tightly integrated with AIM and uses Screen Names as the prefix for members' e-mail addresses. Moreover, Screen Names are used as a single sign-on for both services. Users can access AIM Mail by invoking it trough their AIM Buddy List or through the Mail panel located within the AIM Today welcome screen.
In addition to its own points of exposure, AOL is permitting open e-mail access from third party clients by enabling IMAP support. But, it could be said that as one door opens another slams shut; AOL has forced the installation of the Internet Explorer based AOL Explorer Web browser as the only accepted method to access the AIM Today Window.
AOL is exposing more than just e-mail access. AIM presence awareness is built into the new service, appearing within the interface at several different prominently placed spots. AOL's trademark Running Man is displayed throughout AIM Mail, signaling when of friends, family and coworkers are online.
Users can keep track of their contacts using an address book that AOL provides, also with presence. To accommodate the anticipated surge in contacts, AOL will also be raising the Buddy List's capacity to 250 for the beta with a ceiling of 400 expected by launch.
Rival Hotmail has already made real-time communications an aspect of its service.
AIM Mail features usability enhancements, first seen in a March beta of AOL Mail on the Web, which are derived from technology acquired from Mailblocks in 2004. These include: rich text for styled e-mail composition; natural drag and drop capabilities between folders; automatic inbox refreshing and real-time audible new mail notifications. Convenience features like auto-addressing and spell checking are also included.
For its members' protection, AOL provides server side antivirus using a solution licensed from McAfee definitions and spam detection elements. Using its proprietary system, AOL claims to have achieved a 75 percent reduction in spam for its paying members in 2004. AIM Mail uses the same backend.
Users can set an automatic away message that sends a return message when they are unable to access e-mail, as well as un-send unread e-mail sent to other AOL and AIM Mail members. The un-send feature has been available in the AOL client software since version 5.0.
AIM Mail is the latest advancement in AOL's initiative to transform AIM into a "complete communications experience," AIM & ICQ Vice President & General Manager Chamath Palihapitiya told BetaNews. AOL is preparing to introduce more advanced communications options, such as voice over IP, with its upcoming Triton client.
Let's think about it: your chatting online with your friends or you're in an intense conversation in an AIM chat room and all of the sudden you get a pop up from some spam bot advertising porn, new credit cards, another mortgage or find your long lost girlfriend. Since your screen name is linked to your new AIM mail account then they have your new email address and start sending spam your way.
Now I give credit for to these email providers such as AOL, Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail for filtering out as much spam as they can, but all they have to do is change around a few letters in the words, or add a few letters, to throw off the filters in the servers. I'm not saying that the filters are not working and the employees at these companies aren't doing their job, I'm saying that it will be easier for these people to target you for spam just because they saw you online and linked your screen name to your easily associated AIM email.
Take this opinion into consideration if you may, think twice before signing up for a service that indirectly, but obviously, exposes your email address to the public.
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|Monkey Do.
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|GMail is at 2.2Gb right now and for all argument, unlimited. What's different is that AOL's EULA states that everything you type in AIM can be turned over to any investigative agency or government bureacracy. AOL proves its bad faith over and over and over. Anyone who trusts them deserves to be screwed.
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|AOL has changed its EULA for AIM to address those concerns.
http://www.betanews.com/...vice_for_AIM/1110928957
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|Google had better start working to at IMAP abilities to Gmail to compete because it looks like AOL is about to one up them.
Don't you just love corporate competition. WE ALL WIN!
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|What's the point of having IMAP capability when GMail uses pop3?
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|IMAP has a few more features that some people might care to use. Still... I think you're missing a lot of what makes Gmail so yummy when you choose not to use the web-interface.
It's good that AOL and MSN are playing catch-up. Might give Google the kick they need to start rolling out the new features. (Hello integration, slick new front-end, etc..)
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|Um....with gmail's slick interface, why would you even need imap or another client?
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|IMAP allows for offline synch of your mail. Everything is stored on the server, but when you connect, you cache local copies of your mail. Useful for travellers...
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|I still don't see the need. How many folks really need offline access nowadays? With nearly every coffeee shop in America offering wireless access, chances are, if you owned a laptop, you'd rarely be 'offline'...considering we have coffee shops now on just about every street corner.
OT...
How is it there is even a single coffee-bean left in all of Brazil? I mean, seriously...
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|"IMAP allows for offline synch of your mail. Everything is stored on the server, but when you connect, you cache local copies of your mail. Useful for travellers..."
i would defanatly use imap. i have sbc and no imap sucks. i have to let outlook get email, but only delete it from servers when i put it in the trash... afull way to work with. not just that, but i rather feel safer to have a back up on a cd, of my emial then on their servers...
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|So what are the "AIM" IMAP servers? The AOL E-mail IAMP servers don't work when I login... imap.aol.com must not be for AIM Mail.
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