Pressure Builds on AOL for Messaging Compatibility

[BigBlueBall News]

NewsFactor Network

June 12, 2001

Pressure is building on AOL from its rivals, including Microsoft, for an open compatibility standard for the AOL Instant Messaging service.



Once again, instant messaging (IM) is emerging as the theater of war between Internet and software giants Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and AOL Time Warner (NYSE: AOL), as well as other technology players whose fates hang in the balance.



While AOL claims it is working toward interoperability of its industry-leading AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ services with competitors’ systems, alliances bent on moving ahead with or without AOL’s cooperation and participation are coming together.



Microsoft may have taken the biggest step forward with the release of its Windows Messenger, an instant messaging service that will be bound into Windows XP and will feature chat, multimedia, video and telephony that are compatible with other IM systems. [more]

http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/11164.html