I don't know how many people used ICQ back when it was big, but ICQ was the client I started using in college in 2000 to trade movies with friends. At the time it had better file transfer options than other instant messaging clients, and it also had this kind of cool but dangerous feature where it showed what someone was typing as they were typing, and then removed the typing if they deleted before sending. This could be fun if you wanted to make underhanded comments without committing to them, but it meant you also couldn't rethink what you were saying before you sent it. Well now AOL has released a beta of AOL AIM 6.8 featuring "Real-Time IM", which is the only major feature update for AIM 6.8. It's kind of sad that this innovation existed at least 7 years ago in a now almost extinct IM client that had features apparently way ahead of its time.
1.11.2008
AOL Instant Messenger calls innovation what ICQ did years ago
1.02.2008
Google Spurs Change
Google Operating System has an interesting post called "winning even when you lose" where they discuss how Google spurs change in industries regardless of if it loses the apparent arms race. The few examples given, of which there are likely many more, are:
Email - 2004 - Gmail launches with 1GB of free storage compared to Yahoo's 4MB of free storage. In response, Yahoo grew to 100MB, then 1GB a year later, and finally, is now uncapped, while Google is only at 6GB for free (although it's growing at all times)
Instant Messaging - 2005 - Google Talk launches as an open standards chat program meant to exchange IMs with all open IM clients (although at the time that meant none of the big 3 competitors - AIM, Y! Messenger, or MSN Messenger). In response Yahoo and Microsoft teamed up to link their IM services later that year.
Mobile Phones - 2007 - Google announced that it would bid for the 700MHz spectrum in the US, declaring four conditions of open applications and devices. Later that year Verizon Wireless finally announces that it will open its wireless network to 3rd party devices and software.
Social Networks - 2007 - Google launches OpenSocial, an open widget application platform, and a month later Facebook announces it will open it's widget application platform for use on other social networks.
12.28.2007
international communication or keeping in touch with friends abroad
I am using Twitter to route text messages to India and receive them back just as quickly. It costs no more than a usual text message.
The other night I used AOL IM to include Bruce in a game of Scategories while he sat at an apartment in Korea. It was rudimentary but it brought him into a game with 6 of his friends back at my apartment on New York.
A few of us used Skype to hold a conference call for the fraternity Housing Corporation while we were in Barcelona talking to undergrads back in Boston.
This isn't even getting into how simple it is to email, facebook, and more. I remember back in high school when a close friend went to France for the summer and it took 3 weeks to get a letter to her - now I communicate with friends in several different ways throughout the day and it's completely seemless.
2.26.2007
GMail and Facebook plug-in for AOL AIM
AOL is quietly rolling out some great plug-ins for AOL AIM. Back in October they launched a Facebook plug-in that alerts you to when friends write on your wall, send you a message, or update their profile. Today they launched a Gmail extension that allows you to receive Gmail email alerts from AIM. More email clients will be supported in the future. These things could be really popular, how come AOL doesn't promote them at all?
