New AIM Beta Turns On Two-Way Social Networking

A new beta release of AIM's client software moves the instant messaging service ahead on its increasing awareness of the challenges posed by social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.

With the release of AIM 2.0.222, "Lifestream" features offer users a way to post to their accounts on Twitter, Facebook, delicious, Digg, YouTube and flickr from the client, providing a one-stop location for updates to and from assorted buddies, friends and contacts on those services. AIM has also enhanced mobile integration, allowing users to update their statuses or receive updates from their contacts via SMS.

One-way integration with the services, using the AIM client as a way to receive updates, was introduced earlier in the summer when lifestream.aim.com was introduced.

Setting up a new connection between an AIM account and a service involves clicking an "add" link on the service and stepping through whatever authorization mechanisms it provides. Connecting an AIM account to Facebook, for instance, involves approving several kinds of interaction between the two services, including what kinds of updates can be shared across services.

Once a service is connected to AIM, updates from it appear in a "Lifestream" tab on the AIM client (see the screenshot). The new beta also offers the ability to post comments or responses to updates from linked services. Finally, users can choose to filter the updates shown in the AIM client, limiting them by service or update type.

Reports around the Web indicate that the new update capabilities aren't yet perfected. While it's possible to reliably pull in status upd ates from outside services via the AIM client, sending updates to those services appears to work only some of the time.

By InstantMessagingPlanet.com Staff