AIM to chat with ICQ
The decision is significant because AOL has long claimed that AIM and ICQ users had no interest in communicating with one another. AOL has also come under industry criticism and federal regulatory scrutiny for its resistance to opening its IM network to outsiders.
"We're implementing the test in response to the growth of AOL in Europe, ICQ's leadership in Europe, and some consumer feedback from AOL members who wanted the ability to exchange instant messages with ICQ members," said Anne Bentley, an AOL spokeswoman.
The interoperability feature, which was first reported by technology news site BetaNews.com, will be part of AOL's upcoming AIM 5.1 software, which currently is in beta but can be downloaded on AOL's Web site.
More details to follow.
America Online said it would allow its next version of AOL Instant Messenger to communicate with ICQ, a surprise move that will topple the long-standing barrier between the company's two popular IM services.
The decision is significant because AOL has long claimed that AIM and ICQ users had no interest in communicating with one another. AOL has also come under industry criticism and federal regulatory scrutiny for its resistance to opening its IM network to outsiders.
"We're implementing the test in response to the growth of AOL in Europe, ICQ's leadership in Europe, and some consumer feedback from AOL members who wanted the ability to exchange instant messages with ICQ members," said Anne Bentley, an AOL spokeswoman.
The interoperability feature, which was first reported by technology news site BetaNews.com, will be part of AOL's upcoming AIM 5.1 software, which currently is in beta but can be downloaded on AOL's Web site.
More details to follow.