GMail takes AIM at instant messaging

 

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Posted on 5 Dec 2007 at 09:27

Google has added support for AOL's instant messaging service, AIM, to GMail. GMail users can now sign into their AIM account from within their browser, and use it alongside the existing Google Talk feature.

"Starting today, Gmail users can sign into their AIM accounts via Gmail chat and talk with AIM buddies just as they do with their Google Talk friends," says a Google blog post.

Existing Google Talk features such as automatic conversation logs and sorting of contact lists based on the frequency of conversations will be seamlessly available in chats using either service.

The feature is available from within English versions of GMail now, and will roll out to other languages soon, says Google.

Google has had a business relationship with AOL since March 2006, when it bought a 5% stake in AOL for $1 billion.

Author: Matthew Sparkes