AOL wiring IM, e-mail into Nextel

America Online said Monday it has signed a deal to offer its popular instant messaging and e-mail services on Nextel mobile phones. As part of the agreement, Nextel subscribers will be able to access AOL Instant Messenger, AOL Mail and content services such as news headlines, driving directions and Moviefone listings. Nextel will also promote its mobile products and services across parent company AOL Time Warner's legion of media properties, and will offer free AOL software in its retail stores. The agreement is part of the "AOL Anywhere" initiative to offer AOL services on non-PC devices. To date, AOL has struck agreements regarding mobile phones, handheld devices such as Research In Motion's BlackBerry pager and interactive television systems such as AOLTV. --Jim Hu, Special to ZDNet News