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AOL to Introduce 2GB Web Mail with AIM

By David Worthington, BetaNews

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.

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By lizleavitt

edited Mar 28, 2007 - 1:11 PM

my email won't do any good, I can't use email AGAIN!
"The file /24126/aim/en-us/Suite.aspx cannot be found. Check the location and try again."
This message comes up every time I try to go into AIM email. This has happened before.
The file is in AOL's subdirectories, not mine.
The last time I reported it on a blog, the file just magically reappeared and I was able to access my email again.
I'm hoping the same thing will happen again this time. Are you listening AOL???

Score: 0

By patrick_chan2007

edited Jan 8, 2007 - 6:07 PM

Good Day,
My names are Mr.Chris Hui.I Represent Astral Chemicals Western Region.we own a company in Asia, which is into export of chemicals/raw materials to other companies especially in Canada,Australia,Europe and America.We normally encounter problems when been paid, because it takes a while for American cheque to clear here in the China so this has prompted us to search for a payment agent in Canada,Australia,Europe and America who would stand on behalf of the company.
Presently,we are been owed over $700,000 Dollars and our debtors in question has agreed to begin instalmental payment.If you are willing to assist, you would be paid 10% of any total sum you collect on behalf of the company.
All you have to do is send us your complete information including your full postal address, Company name, fax,company website, marital status, Occupation, etc.
Note that the info you shall provide shall be subject to final approval because we are skeptical of the high rate of internet fraud going on these days. On our receipt of your mail we will inform you on the next step to follow as regards our approval for you to being our representative.
Since you have shown an interest in our offer, we would want to know if you would be able to keep to the above mentioned rules of the company which are QUALITY and ENVIROMENTAL STANDARDIZATION which includes:
A strong commitment to health and safety - at Astra Chemicals we believe in safety above all. A commitment to delivering what you promise.
A passion for change and innovative thinking. Respect for others.
Care for the environment.Good teamwork, coupled with the ability to communicate well and build good relationships.An exceptional work ethic.
If you know you would be able to meet up with these conditions, write to our export office in Hong Kong with your full names and address, phone numbers as well so that an acceptance file would be opened for you. This file contains your representative code and all other information the company has about you. We have also forward to them at export office your representative interest with our company.
Note that this is very essential because without your representative code, you would not be able to act on behalf of the company even after you have successfully met with the company laid down principles.
Thanks for your time and hope this is the beginning of a mutual beneficial business relationship.
I shall await your urgent response.
Faithfully Yours,
Mr.Chris Hui

Score: 0

By mrvoice

posted Jul 20, 2006 - 12:07 PM

is it true AOL discards IMAP messages after 30 days?

Score: 0

By mrvoice

edited Jul 13, 2006 - 8:14 AM

Frickin' AOL.... I was a happy mailblocks.com user and AOL didn't leave it behind for original users like myself. So instead, I lose my remaining subscription years (3 years paid upfront) and have no good alernative. AOL surely better be offering IMAP for doing this.

Score: 0

By TheBeastH6

edited Oct 24, 2005 - 2:07 AM

GMAIL BEAT AIM.
Want an invite? Give a holler to [removed]. I don't want anymore godd*** paypal notices you s***s.

Score: 0

By integrii

posted Aug 28, 2005 - 5:01 PM

AIM Mail has less storage space, ads everywhere, and has horrible word-based spam control. GMail features user-specified spam control by using 'report spam' instead of 'mark as spam'. GMail also increases your storage space daily by almost five megabytes!

The only arguement anyone here can have is that AIM Mail supports IMAP, which is useless to me, and anyone i know. Mostly because the GMail interface has everything you would ever need, including many features AIM Mail dosent have... like forwarding.

Oh, did I menton, GMail has no Ads to speak of.

Score: 0

By zaheer84

edited Aug 20, 2005 - 6:35 AM

i made an application like aol instant massenger on dotnet c#. but from 20 august it's not working.....

Score: 0

By cap737

posted May 12, 2005 - 1:49 AM

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.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted May 11, 2005 - 9:30 AM

Monkey Do.

Score: 0

By zridling

posted May 11, 2005 - 2:15 AM

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.

Score: 0

By stp

posted May 11, 2005 - 2:22 AM

AOL has changed its EULA for AIM to address those concerns.
http://www.betanews.com/...vice_for_AIM/1110928957

Score: 0

By wjrandon

posted May 11, 2005 - 1:11 AM

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!

Score: 0

By JacobD

posted May 11, 2005 - 4:44 AM

What's the point of having IMAP capability when GMail uses pop3?

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted May 11, 2005 - 10:29 AM

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..)

Score: 0

By Merlyn_3D

posted May 11, 2005 - 12:43 PM

Um....with gmail's slick interface, why would you even need imap or another client?

Score: 0

By relentless1914

posted May 11, 2005 - 4:17 PM

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...

Score: 0

By remusrm

posted May 12, 2005 - 3:11 PM

"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...

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted May 12, 2005 - 9:14 AM

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...

Score: 0

By lastrider

edited Jun 8, 2005 - 7:30 AM

Well IMAP is so much better than pop3 thats for sure. You can also upload to servers and it allows for changes so you can access webmail anywhere else with changes made through IMAP at home with ease.

Score: 0

By alienvenom

posted May 12, 2005 - 5:52 PM

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.

Score: 0

By lastrider

posted Jun 8, 2005 - 7:35 AM

Make sure its selected to IMAP, the server is imap.aol.com , the port is 143 and that your username is username@aim.com or username@aol.com hopefully that should work. I use it and it works well with Mozilla Thunderbird.

Score: 0

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