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AOL releases AIM 6.0
On Wednesday AOL (this blog's parent company) released AIM 6.0 for Windows. The first major update to the popular instant messaging program since AIM Triton a year ago, AIM 6.0 comes with another visual update and a few new features.Some of the features are ones we've been enjoying a long time in our other IM clients, like IM logging, but I'm finding them pretty well-executed. AIM now supports up to 1,000 buddies and does offline messages, too. There's also a new picture-sharing feature that takes the form of a slideshow window you can drag and drop photos onto, integration with AIM Pages and AIM Phoneline, the latter of which will be especially welcome to VoIP lovers. I'm a fan of AIM 6.0's new look, which is cleaner and less clunky than AIM Triton, which wasn't bad itself. The client also seems to have gotten some much-needed performance improvements--it runs a bit faster, but still uses about six times as much memory as Trillian.
Like AIM Triton, AIM 6.0 was built with AOL's GUI toolkit Boxely, which is based on XML and JavaScript, and which allows for some very interesting customization opportunities. For example, it took me about 30 seconds to figure out how to remove the ad box from the top of my buddy list, and all I needed was Notepad (shhh, don't tell anyone I told you that). A more dedicated hacker could take the opportunity to completely re-theme the interface or even add new functionality. And I really hope they do.
All in all, AIM 6.0 still isn't a program I'm going to use every day. However, I am impressed with the direction AIM seems to be headed, and its VoIP and file-sharing capabilities mean I'll probably break it out once in awhile. If you're already happily using AIM Triton or an older version of AIM, I highly recommend AIM 6.0. If you're a power-user, you're not really AIM 6.0's target market, and should stick with Trillian or GAIM--unless you're intrigued by Boxely's hackability.
You can find a couple screenshots of AIM 6.0 in action after the jump.
Buddy List. Yes, I have myself on my own buddy list. Three times. That box on the left pops up when you hover over someone's name, showing their status and away message. That one was clever three months ago.
I think I wore out my Gaussian blur tool.
Comments
13
Subscribe to commentsresourceNov 17th 2006 1:11PM
Care to share the ad hack?
I like this version.
Trillian is obselete in the sense that they haven't updated in years and GAIM doesn't do VOIP or videos.
I hope the plug-ins people make are quality.
Jordan RunningNov 17th 2006 1:55PM
Sorry, guys, but I'd like to keep my job. :) I'm sure you can figure it out yourselves or find the info elsewhere.
SlashNov 17th 2006 2:09PM
Oh please
just google "aim ad hack"
its the first one :P
ryanNov 17th 2006 2:55PM
Isn't AIM 6 the same as Triton? (Triton being the beta version of 6)
Jordan RunningNov 17th 2006 3:05PM
No, Ryan, Triton was not a beta, though the version numbers do get a bit convoluted.
rasbillNov 17th 2006 3:13PM
i have got to say, ive been using it in triton, but the aim phone line is very nice, free incoming calls, everyones always calling me so its perfect, also might be nice for drug dealers
Bryan PriceNov 17th 2006 4:11PM
I'm running Windows 2003 Server as a workstation. Refuses to install, since it's neither 2000 or XP. Go in and tell the .exe that it's running as XP, it downloads whatever it is that it downloads, and then fails at some point talking about a component.
I give up.
Jamie CriderNov 30th 2006 9:00PM
Can anyone tell me how I can "dock" my buddy list on the AIM 6.0? My older version had that feature, but Its not in the new one. Any hacks, or plugins? Please Help...I hate having web pages in front of my Buddy list...I like to see both of them side by side. Thanks. E-mail me if you can
jamiecrider2006@yahoo.com
--Jamie
macdudeDec 1st 2006 2:12AM
why dont they release this for mac?
Henry MorenoDec 14th 2006 10:47AM
I was a AIM Triton user, but now I have downloaded AIM 6.0. I'm running Windows XP and when I log in to my account AIM automatically loads up with no problem, however, when I log on as a guest it tells me that I have ERROR 10, which says to me that I have to reinstall or restart my computer. If it works fine on my account and loads up automatically, how come on my guest account it tells me this error and AIM doesn't load up. With Triton I never had this problem?? Can someone help me please!! Thank you E-mail me to HMoren1680@hotmail.com
danDec 21st 2006 8:32PM
Is there a way to Dock the new AIM 6?
Nate GarciaJan 2nd 2007 12:16PM
Ok been searching the net for 2 hours and nothing on how to dock the AIM 6.0 Buddy list. Is there a way to hack the exe and change a setting from there that was not added to the GUI? Or any other way to do it for that matter?
KianaFeb 18th 2007 12:41PM
The only feature I saw in docking was that it was on the top of what you were viewing more or less. In order to do that in AIM 6.0 go to view and select buddy list always on top. Hope this helps for all those who asked!