Editing AIM (software) (section)

==Extra features==

===iPhone application===
On March 6, 2008, during [[Apple Inc.]]'s [[IOS SDK|iPhone SDK]] event, AOL announced that they would be releasing an AIM application for [[iPhone]] and [[iPod Touch]] users. The application was available for free from the App Store, but the company also provided a paid version, which displayed no advertisements. Both were available from the [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]]. The AIM client for [[iPhone]] and [[iPod Touch]] supported standard AIM accounts, as well as [[MobileMe]] accounts. There was also an express version of AIM accessible through the [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] browser on the iPhone and iPod Touch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macrumors.com/2008/03/06/apple-releases-iphone-sdk-demos-spore-instant-messaging/ |title=Apple Releases iPhone SDK, Demos Spore, Instant Messaging |publisher=Mac Rumors |date=2008-03-06 |access-date=2010-12-04 |archive-date=June 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616203828/http://www.macrumors.com/2008/03/06/apple-releases-iphone-sdk-demos-spore-instant-messaging/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2011, AOL launched an overhaul of their Instant Messaging service. Included in the update was a brand new [[iOS]] application for iPhone and [[iPod Touch]] that incorporated all the latest features. A brand new icon was used for the application, featuring the new cursive logo for AIM. The user-interface was entirely redone for the features including: a new buddy list, group messaging, in-line photos and videos, as well as improved file-sharing.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396491,00.asp/ |title=AOL Overhauls AIM, Adds New iPhone App |magazine=PC Magazine |date=2011-11-16 |access-date=2012-03-25 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722112121/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396491,00.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

Version 5.0.5, updated in March 2012, it supported more social stream features, much like Facebook and Twitter, as well as the ability to send voice messages up to 60 seconds long.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Chat/AIM-for-iPhone-97755.shtml/ |title=AIM for iPhone 5.0.5 |publisher=Softpedia |date=2012-03-20 |access-date=2012-03-25 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227011258/http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Chat/AIM-for-iPhone-97755.shtml |archive-date=2011-12-27 }}</ref>

===iPad application===
On April 3, 2010, Apple released the [[IPad (1st generation)|first generation iPad]]. Along with this newly released device AOL released the AIM application for iPad. It was built entirely from scratch for [[IOS version history#iOS 4|the new version of iOS]] with a specialized user-interface for the device. It supported geolocation, [[Facebook]] status updates and chat, [[Myspace]], [[Twitter]], [[YouTube]], [[Foursquare City Guide|Foursquare]], and many other social networking platforms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macstories.net/ipad/aim-for-ipad-approved-screenshot/ |title=AIM for iPad Approved, Screenshot |publisher=MacStories |date=2010-04-01 |access-date=2012-03-25 |archive-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621100705/http://www.macstories.net/ipad/aim-for-ipad-approved-screenshot/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===AIM Express===
AIM Express ran in a pop-up browser window. It was intended for use by people who are unwilling or unable to install a standalone application or those at computers that lack the AIM application. AIM Express supported many of the standard features included in the stand-alone client, but did not provide advanced features like file transfer, audio chat, video conferencing, or buddy info. It was implemented in [[Adobe Flash]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Products – Express|url=http://www.aim.com/products/express|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205062532/http://www.aim.com/products/express|archive-date=December 5, 2010|access-date=2010-12-04|publisher=Aim.com}}</ref> It was an upgrade to the prior AOL Quick Buddy, which was later available for older systems that cannot handle Express before being discontinued. Express and Quick Buddy were similar to [[Windows Live Messenger#MSN Web Messenger|MSN Web Messenger]] and [[Yahoo! Messenger#Web Messenger|Yahoo! Web Messenger]]. This web version evolved into AIM.com's web-based messenger.

===AIM Pages===
'''AIM Pages''' was a free website released in May 2006 by [[AOL]] in replacement of AIMSpace.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cashmore|first=Pete|title=AIM Pages|date=May 11, 2006|url=http://mashable.com/2006/05/10/aimpages-not-as-lame-as-youd-expect/|publisher=Mashable|accessdate=24 September 2012|archive-date=June 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615125326/https://mashable.com/2006/05/10/aimpages-not-as-lame-as-youd-expect/|url-status=live}}</ref> Anyone who had an [[AOL Instant Messenger|AIM]] [[User (computing)|user name]] and was at least 16 years of age could create their own [[web page]] (to display an online, dynamic profile) and share it with buddies from their AIM Buddy list.

==== Layout ====
AIM Pages included links to the [[email]] and Instant Message of the owner, along with a section listing the owners "buddies", which included AIM [[User (computing)|user names]]. It was possible to create modules in a Module T [[microformat]].<ref name="wikipedia1">[[AOL Instant Messenger#AIM Pages]]</ref> Video hosting sites like [[Netflix]] and [[YouTube]] could be added to ones AIM Page, as well as other sites like [[Amazon.com]]. It was also possible to insert [[HTML|HTML code]].

The main focus of AIM Pages was the integration of external modules, like those listed above, into the AOL Instant Messenger experience.<ref name="macmanus1">{{cite web|last=MacManus|first=Richard|title=AIM Pages - AOL Breaking Down the Walled Garden|url=http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/aim_pages_aol_b.php|accessdate=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519070114/http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/aim_pages_aol_b.php|archive-date=2012-05-19|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Discontinuation ====
By late 2007, AIM Pages were discontinued.<ref name="wikipedia1"/> After AIM Pages shutdown, links to AIM Pages were redirected to [[AOL Lifestream]],<ref name="macmanus1" /> AOL's new site aimed at collecting external modules in one place, independent of AIM buddies.<ref>{{cite web|title=AOL Lifestream|url=http://lifestream.aol.com/help/learnmore|accessdate=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923134924/http://lifestream.aol.com/help/learnmore|archive-date=23 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> AOL Lifestream was shut down February 24, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AOL Lifestream Sunset Notification|url=https://help.aol.com/articles/aol-lifestream-sunset-notification|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-17|website=AOL Help|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926144012/https://help.aol.com/articles/aol-lifestream-sunset-notification|archive-date=September 26, 2017}}</ref>

===AIM for Mac===
AOL released an all-new AIM for the [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] on September 29, 2008, and the final build on December 15, 2008. The redesigned AIM for Mac is a full [[universal binary]] [[Cocoa (API)|Cocoa API]] application that supports both Tiger and Leopard&nbsp;— [[macOS|Mac OS X]] 10.4.8 (and above) or Mac OS X 10.5.3 (and above). On October 1, 2009, AOL released AIM 2.0 for Mac.

===AIM real-time IM===
This feature was available for AIM 7 and allowed for a user to see what the other is typing as it is being done. It was developed and built with assistance from Trace Research and Development Centre at [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] and [[Gallaudet University]]. The application provides visually impaired users the ability to convert messages from text (words) to speech.<ref name="What is Real-Time IM">{{cite web|url=http://www.aniesoft.com/realtime-im.html|title=What is Real-Time IM? Source: AOL Help|work=aniesoft.com|access-date=January 15, 2017|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923231752/http://www.aniesoft.com/realtime-im.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the application to work users must have AIM 6.8 or higher, as it is not compatible with older versions of AIM software, AIM for Mac or iChat.<ref name="What is Real-Time IM" />

===AIM to mobile (messaging to phone numbers)===
This feature allows text messaging to a phone number ([[Message#Increasing competition|text messaging is less functional]] than instant messaging).<ref>{{cite web|title=How-To use AIM to send a Text Message to a phone|url=https://www.engadget.com/2004/07/13/how-to-use-aol-instant-messenger-to-send-a-text-message-to-a|website=engadget.com|date=July 13, 2004|access-date=August 23, 2017|archive-date=October 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007124714/https://www.engadget.com/2004/07/13/how-to-use-aol-instant-messenger-to-send-a-text-message-to-a/|url-status=live}}</ref>