#AOL instant messenger

[gateway-2000]

[90s-2000s-barbie]

AOL Instant Messager [AIM] (1997 - 2017)

[icqmuseum24]

🇺🇸 Before purchasing the iconic ICQ Messenger from Mirabilis, AOL Inc. had already developed its own internet messaging tool. Released in May 1997 as a stand-alone download for Microsoft Windows, AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) quickly became the go-to platform for online communication. Created by American Online Inc., AIM used the OSCAR and TOC protocols to connect users in real time, becoming a cultural phenomenon by the late 1990s.

💾 At its peak, AIM had the largest share of the instant messaging market in North America, particularly in the United States, where it held 52% of the market as of 2006. This figure excludes other AOL-related instant messaging software like ICQ and iChat. AIM's main competitors included ICQ (which AOL acquired in 1998), Yahoo! Messenger, and MSN Messenger. AOL had a notable rivalry with PowWow and Microsoft, sparking the "chat wars" in 1999.

🚶‍♂️ The AIM mascot, designed by JoRoan Lazaro, debuted with the first release in 1997. This yellow stickman-like figure, known as the "Running Man," appeared on all AIM logos and wordmarks and was always featured at the top of the buddy list.

👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓 AIM was particularly popular among teens and college students in the United States and beyond. Its away message feature allowed users to share their whereabouts, thoughts, and plans with friends, making it a staple of daily digital interaction. AIM wasn't just a messaging app; it was a way of life.

📉 Despite its early success, AIM's popularity began to decline in the 2010s. The rise of Gmail's Google Talk, the advent of SMS, and the explosive growth of social networks like Facebook led to a decrease in AOL subscribers. AIM's fall from grace is often compared to other once-dominant services like Myspace.

📆 In June 2015, AOL was acquired by Verizon Communications, which later merged AOL and Yahoo into Oath Inc. Unfortunately, on December 15, 2017, AIM was discontinued, marking the end of an era.

💔 Though AIM is no longer with us, its impact on digital communication remains unforgettable. It paved the way for the instant messaging services we rely on today, leaving behind a legacy of nostalgia and innovation.

[env0writes]

I found a piece of your soul Stuck in the text messages of old friends You don’t speak to them anymore. Do you want it back? Keep it I have since grown And healed around what’s removed It shan’t fit me anymore

I’ve kept it as a charm on my phone All the while waiting To return such a precious And fragile thing It does not seem to part from me neither How it ever lost its way from you I was in pieces then And have since puzzled myself together From wayward boxes and texts and telephone calls Made collect at worthwhile expense

Deciding Embers Vol. 5, 12.11.24 “AOL Instant Messenger Killed Cupid but Still Shot Me Before Passing”

@env0writes C.Buck   Ko-Fi & Venmo: @Zenv0 Support Your Local Artists

[tamapalace]

lol, brb

[samo64]

90's internet gals

Bonus Meme

[hustledimension]

Madagascar AIM icons from the old Flash website

[randomblognumberfuck]

Ah the sticks

[thateclecticbitch]

Why does every fanfic give Jon a @gmail.com domain? Is the fan base really so young that they've never heard of AOL? AIM was running until the end 2017! THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES PEOPLE!

[photo-roulette-wheel]

Small icons in windows XP

[gateway-2000]

[90s-2000s-barbie]

Kelly Clarkson presented with AIMs First annual Best Musical Buddy award (2005)

[bobsliquorstore]

[icqmuseum24]

🌐 In an effort to bring instant messaging on the go, ICQ developed a client for PalmOS. This move allowed users to stay connected even while away from their desktops. The PalmOS ICQ client featured the core functionalities that made ICQ popular: sending and receiving messages, changing statuses, and managing contact lists.

📲 PalmOS was known for its simplicity and efficiency, making it a favorite among mobile users. It offered a unique combination of a touch interface and a physical keyboard, which made typing messages quick and easy. Bringing ICQ to PalmOS meant tapping into a growing market of mobile professionals and tech enthusiasts who valued portability without sacrificing functionality.

✨ Key Features of ICQ for PalmOS:

➡️ Messaging on the Go: Stay connected with friends and colleagues by sending and receiving instant messages.

➡️ Status Updates: Let your contacts know if you’re available, busy, or away with easy status updates.

➡️ Contact Management: Easily add, remove, and manage your ICQ contacts.

➡️ Portable Communication:** Enjoy the flexibility of ICQ’s messaging capabilities right from your PalmOS device.

🔒 One of the standout features was the security ICQ provided. Even on PalmOS, ICQ maintained its standards for protecting user data, ensuring that conversations remained private and secure.

💾 ICQ’s expansion to PalmOS was a significant step in the evolution of mobile messaging. It showcased the potential of mobile devices to support full-fledged communication platforms, paving the way for the sophisticated mobile messengers we use today.

[bradthebad]

[picoday2006]