In July, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) embraced the stream in a new beta (for both Windows and Mac) and started moving beyond simple IMs. You can now see your Facebook and Twitter feeds, along with AIM buddy updates and feeds from other services.
The problem was that the Twitter and Facebook feeds were only one way. You could read them, but you couldn’t send updates from AIM to the other services. A few weeks ago that changed, and AIM status updates can now appear as updates in Facebook and Twitter as well. There also appears to be a way to comment, or respond, inline to other people’s messages, although I am having trouble getting that feature to work for some reason.
Going both ways turns AIM into a full-fledged Twitter/Facebook client. It is a big deal for AIM because now it can be used as both a private and public IM client. While stream readers such as TweetDeck and Seesmic already have two-way messaging capabilities with Twitter and Facebook, Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger are still stuck in Read-Only Land.
The AIM Beta doesn’t have the Twitter integration working perfectly yet. Some updates and comments seem to never get through, while others do just fine. On the Facebook side, it is working much smoother. But AIM is making the right moves in an attempt to become an all-in-one instant communications hub. AOL’s new communications chief, Brad Garlinghouse, should keep pushing in this direction.
a funny thread title. i am guessing that was the aimed of it. so aim go both ways who would have thought that.
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) rocks! The AIM for both Windows and MAC started moving beyond simple IMs. Looks like in future AIM will turn into a full-fledged Twitter/Facebook client. But the Twitter integration is not as much good as Facebook. AIM is making the right moves in an attempt to become an all-in-one instant communications hub. We shall wait and watch its performance!
How about dropping OSCAR and adopting a serious protocol like XMPP?
The age of having separate services such as AIM/Yahoo/MSN/Google Talk being incompatible with each other should be over. Email addresses have domains, why don’t instant message usernames?
If they adopt XMPP they can allow federation with other XMPP services and we all win.
sf
wish you can look at this: http://reader2t...ter.appspot.com
an app that sync google reader shared item to twitter
Smart move by AOL from AIM.
Even more so, what does this mean for Twitter? For now probably more traffic, but what happens if AIM decides to do exactly what Twitter is doing with almost the same sized audience? MSN and Google also have this same potential.
They have a cute bunny graphic for all the things that aren’t working — like Twitter OAuth. Facebook appears to work mostly though.
socializing goes to easy!
nampang page one aja deh ;P
Exactly +1
AIM is in the race .. everyone is upto something and are in news .. launching new features, versions and stuff … Well good For AIM…
Cheers,
Daina
This move from AIM has seriously boosted their capacity for increased users, they have obviously realised the serious potential that the social giants have to offer! Wonder how long it will be before the likes of hotmail, gmail and yahoo jump on the band wagon…
Again, can you people please stop saying “both Windows and Mac”? There are more than two operating systems.
Careful… the Amiga contingent might hijack this thread.
“Goes both ways”
That’s what she said.
Windows Live Messenger has provided the ability to make Facebook status updates since early 2008. This also includes a preview of your profile, friends’ updates and photos, as well as links to poke or send messages. Just look for the Facebook icon next time you sign in.
I agree. This is great that they are working in the direction of interoperability.
AIM aims in promoting a two way communication updates. Good idea and nice effort. If this integration in Beta gets success, sure AOL will have a great deal with Twitter/Facebook. These social networks will become more lively with immediate updates and notifications.
I’ve been updating tweets and fb with aim for a year using ping.fm
nothing new to me
AIM joins the race for good. I think interoperability would be the key – finally all settling with their piece of the cake.