AIM update puts price on new buddies

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America Online released a new version of its popular instant messaging program (AIM 5.9 Beta) earlier this week. This new version adds several new features, but this time at a price.

For $9.95 a year or $1.95 a month you’ll receive animated buddy icons, sound effects, wallpaper support for you IM’s window, and other features. All of this will be available in September of this year, when AOL launches AIM 5.9. This move comes as another attempt from AOL to increase its overall revenue, which up to this point has been disappointing for its shareholders.

I don't think these new features will help bring in a decent amount of revenue for AOL. Simply because I don't think consumers will pay for features like these, when they can get them free from other IM services. If AOL really wants to make AIM users happy they should design AIM with new interface. Let's face it AIM hasn't added anything exciting to its IM service for long time. Because of this other IM services have had time to innovate new and exciting features, features like three way video conferencing from Apple. Granted that Apple didn't create three way video conferencing the way it’s presented is definitely pretty impressive.

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#1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 00:24

You guys fail to realize how deep these services go and how their core audience, young users, are going to eat this stuff up just like ringtones or games for cell phones.

Those of you knocking the basic AIM service, I have no idea why. I use it as my main messenger and it has never done me wrong.

(1 reply) #2 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#2.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 00:31

Those still rely on the networks operated by others.

(3 replies) #3 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#3.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 00:33

1) The animated icons actually animate to show emotions like sadness or happiness depending on your conversation.

2) The sound effects are custom sounds which you can set and others will hear instead of the default IM sound.

3) Wallpapering is a very popular feature of the AOL client already. I'm sure many people migrating from AOL to another ISP will look to keep this feature.

Overall, all they are doing is adding some of the extra features from AOL 9.0 to their AIM client and are asking people to pay for it, just like AOL 9.0 users pay.

#3.2 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 03:30

1) Not emoticons, buddy icons. Read.
2) You can not set it so others hear it with AIM, only AOL, as of now.

The answer to "who would want that?" is simple, it's the same people who like the features in the AOL client.

#3.3 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 03:45

I know what I posted. You use the icon as a buddy icon, but it's expression changes based on keywords in your conversation. So, if you say something that has a sad keyword, the buddy icon you have will frown. I know what I read.

(2 replies) #4 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#4.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 00:35

No animated buddy icons that show emotion based on your chat (no animation period, nevermind ones that show mood) and no custom sounds that are automatically sent to the other clients. So no, you don't get these for free.

#4.2 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 01:31

As I said, the buddy icons emote based on what you are typing. You don't just pay for the icons, but they are part of a larger package of features that used to only be available to those using AOL 9.0.

And yes, it is homosexual. The icons only like other icons of the same gender. You, my friend, may want to learn how to make an argument without talking like you are in the 5th grade.

(1 reply) #5 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#5.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 00:56

I guess I just had the wonderful opportunity to think for myself instead of being a bandwagon whore and saw through the "aol will die" posts. People don't realize that you are only going to have to pay for features that we currently DON'T have. What's so bad about that? God forbid a company, in a capitalistic world, try to make some cash.

(2 replies) #6 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#6.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 01:02

Are you that slow? They are charging for EXTRA features that only AOL users have been able to use until now.

#6.2 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 04:20

Actually, you are the one who said they should worry more about the user's security instead of the buffer overflow exploit in the away messages. Not sure what you meant, but you were the one who said it.

(1 reply) #7 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#7.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 01:49

Why would your friends leave AIM just because they can't get access to the extra bonus features they don't already have and are seemingly happy without? Or did someone not read the article?

(2 replies) #8 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#8.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 02:08

Exactlt the point I'm trying to make. You won't notice any difference if you don't pay lol. I think some people read the headline and nothing more.

#8.2 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 02:23

Nope, just your fellow "Anti-troll ranger"

(1 reply) #9 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#9.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 02:36

See? You made a mature and well thought out argument. I respect that.

(1 reply) #10 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#10.1 bangbang023 on 16 Aug 2004 - 22:42

How are they ripping you off by providing you with the same sevrices for free as you have always had for free while offering bonus features for a veyr small cost?

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