AOL issues another Instant Messenger upgrade

NEWS AOL has released another upgrade to its Instant Messenger (AIM) software just a month after the launch of version 2.0, but has denied the new release is a result of its ongoing messaging software battle with Microsoft. AIM 3.0 includes news and stock quote tickers which stream information into a separate window and 'buddy icons' which allow users to send graphics and photos to each other. The company also claims the software will allow users to stay logged on even if their Internet connection is briefly cut off. According to AOL, AIM now has over 45 million registered users who send more than 475 million messages daily. Microsoft launched its own instant messenger product at the end of last month, and allowed non-AOL users to contact users of AIM. AOL retaliated by tweaking its software to block access to Microsoft users. Microsoft believes AOL should open up its protocols to a standards body to ensure interoperability.