America Online Inc. (AOL) has updated its instant messaging service with an online address book and the ability to send text messages direct to mobile phones. The move intensifies the competition between instant messaging service providers, among them Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc., to multiply the communication technologies and information services supported by their software. AIM Triton, released Tuesday, also includes voice and video chat services and an e-mail client. It is available for free download, and works with Windows XP and Windows 2000, AOL said. To help users manage all the new ways of chatting with their friends, AIM Triton pulls active communications together into a single window, with a grid listing buddy names along one axis and communication methods along the other. By clicking on tabs at the edge of the window, users can switch between conversations or between chat and video. AIM’s Buddy List contact database has been expanded, and now includes a link to an online address book hosted by Plaxo Inc. The Buddy List can store 500 contacts, and the address book 5,000. The address book can even help buddies stay in touch offline too: a new feature simplifies the printing of mailing labels, AOL said. The update also contains a beta version of a video instant messaging service, a telephony service that can connect to any computer with Web access, and a VOIP (voice over IP) service that supports conference calls between up to 20 users, AOL said. One goal of the new software is to simplify certain tasks performed by the old version. For example, sharing a file now involves dragging it to a chat window and dropping it there. Such ease of use could make it easy for spammers to send unwanted messages or files to many users at once, so AOL has also incorporated a filtering system called IM Catcher for messages from unknown senders. In some respects, AOL is playing catch-up with its competitors. Yahoo Messenger already offers drag-and-drop sharing of photos, for example, and has links from its contact list to the Yahoo Address Book, while Microsoft’s MSN Messenger can send messages directly to cell phones via SMS (Short Message Service). By Peter Sayer – IDG News Service (Paris Bureau) Related content brandpost Sponsored by Freshworks When your AI chatbots mess up AI ‘hallucinations’ present significant business risks, but new types of guardrails can keep them from doing serious damage By Paul Gillin Dec 08, 2023 4 mins Generative AI brandpost Sponsored by Dell New research: How IT leaders drive business benefits by accelerating device refresh strategies Security leaders have particular concerns that older devices are more vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. By Laura McEwan Dec 08, 2023 3 mins Infrastructure Management case study Toyota transforms IT service desk with gen AI To help promote insourcing and quality control, Toyota Motor North America is leveraging generative AI for HR and IT service desk requests. By Thor Olavsrud Dec 08, 2023 7 mins Employee Experience Generative AI ICT Partners feature CSM certification: Costs, requirements, and all you need to know The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification sets the standard for establishing Scrum theory, developing practical applications and rules, and leading teams and stakeholders through the development process. By Moira Alexander Dec 08, 2023 8 mins Certifications IT Skills Project Management Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe