AOL Begins Beta Testing IM Video

[BigBlueBall News]

Jeff Hester

April 13, 2003

AOL has quietly begun testing a "store-and-forward" video IM scheme that neatly side-steps the limitations placed on AOL by the FCC. This feature, if it makes it into production, will allow users to send video messages via IM, with a slight time delay as the message is stored briefly on their server before sent on to the recipient.

The FCC limitations prevent AOL from incorporating multimedia features such as live video into AIM without first opening their IM network up to allow interoperability. Last year, AOL decided to abandon efforts to provide interoperability, focusing instead on partnering through licensing agreements such as that with iChat for the Mac. But with the restrictions, they run the risk of falling further behind the competition, namely MSN and Yahoo, both of which already offer video messaging.

Apparently the store-and-forward model is a loophole which allows AOL to provide near real-time video conferencing without breaking the letter of the FCC restrictions.

What is the store-and-forward technique? Apparently this is similar to the familiar "walkie-talkie" feature promoted by Nextel, only this is adapted for video.

Of course, Logitech’s free IM Video Companion already allows AIM users to establish streaming video conferences with other AIM users, but this seems like one of those little-known secrets. Plus AOL is probably looking for a way to squeeze some revenue from the new service (think: ads, ads, and more ads).

Ultimately most AIM users won’t bother adding a third-party application to provide video conferencing, but might consider the feature if it were built-in to AIM. If the delay of store-and-forward isn’t too great, it just might fly.

Related links

AOL Tests Video Messaging - InstantMessagingPlanet.com

Push to Talk - AOL tinkers with broadband video IM’ing - BroadbandReports.com