AOL Releases Preview Edition of New AIM Triton Software.

DULLES, Va. -- Modular Architecture Supports New TotalTalk VoIP Service

AOL, Inc. today announced that it will release a preview edition of its new AIM Triton service later this week. In beta testing since April of this year, the AIM Triton service is an integrated communications client that will offer instant messaging, email and SMS mobile texting as well as a variety of voice calling and streaming video services.

Available later this week on AIM.com, the preview edition of the new software features a Plaxo(R)-enabled AIM(R) Address Book and gives users one-click access to the AOL(R) Explorer, AOL(R) Mail, AIM(R) Mail, AIM(R) Talk, and new TotalTalk(TM) services, making the AIM service the new 'front door' to all digital communications.

In addition to providing AOL's TotalTalk subscribers with a trial digital dial pad or 'soft phone,' the AIM(R) Triton preview edition offers an improved version of the AIM Talk service. Originally launched in 2000, this PC-to-PC VoIP calling service now employs the Pingtel open source-based SIPuxa and Global IP Sound (GIPS) platforms for superior voice quality. It lets users talk live with friends and family members around the world, free of charge, whenever they are online.

"We have rebuilt the AIM service from the ground up to make it a powerful communications tool that offers unprecedented versatility. Our goal is to let people focus on who they want to talk to and what they want to say, instead of worrying about which software application they need to open," said Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president and general manager, AIM and ICQ, America Online, Inc. "And our new AIM Address Book enables users to quickly bring contact information for everyone they know directly into the AIM Buddy List(R) feature - where it will always be up to date and at their finger tips."

The preview edition also supports improved versions of existing AIM services, including an expanded Buddy List feature that supports the addition of up to 500 buddies, a redesigned AIM(R) Today programming screen, a robust file transfer feature and non-stop listening to over 150 AOL radio stations - plus 20 popular XM music stations - through the AOL Radio featuring XM service.

AIM Triton features found in the new preview edition include the following:

For the AIM Buddy List / Address Book feature:

--The ability to add up to 500 Buddies to the Buddy List feature.

--A second tab on the Buddy List feature that offers one-click access to a new, Plaxo-enabled AIM Address Book that stores - and provides a thumbnail view of - contact information on up to 5,000 individuals.

--'Type down' searching for buddies in the Buddy List and AIM Address Book features.

--A 'Print Contacts' feature that allows users to print all information, key information or mailing labels for buddies in the AIM Address Book. Users select the Contacts tab on the Buddy List feature and then the 'Print File' menu option to print contact information.

--Triton Modules at the base of the Buddy List feature that provide one-click access to the AOL Mail, AIM Mail, AOL Radio featuring XM and TotalTalk services..

--A redesigned 'Away Message' setting that is easier to navigate and offers double the amount of storage for more creative Away Messages.

For the messaging window:

--A new 'Quicknote' feature that replaces the initial IM window to provide a snapshot of contact information for each buddy and lets users send instant messages, mobile text messages or emails to anyone in their AIM Address Book.

--Tabbed IMs: a new IM interface that corrals all active messages into a single, expandable window, listing Buddy names vertically and communications services horizontally. Tabbed IMs let users transition from desktop instant messaging to mobile text messaging, AIM Talk voice calling or streaming video chat with one click.

--An 'IM Catcher'(TM) feature that screens IMs from unknown senders and helps stop the spread of SPIM and viruses.

--An improved AIM Talk service that uses the Pingtel and GIPS platforms, supports live, multi-party voice chat for up to 20 buddies, and enables users to add additional buddies to ongoing calls.

--An updated live video instant messaging experience with a larger screen and moveable "picture-in-picture" interface.

--Integrated AOL(R) Search, including the ability to highlight phrases in the IM window and hit 'enter' to call forth a search results page.

--Session-based logging that preserves IM conversations until users sign off.

Coming Soon:

With its official launch later this year, the AIM Triton client will also feature an affordable, VoIP-based PC-to-Phone voice calling service. Codenamed "AIM Talk Plus," this service will enable AIM users to use the soft phone at the base of the AIM Triton Buddy List feature, which is now only accessible to TotalTalk subscribers.

At that time, the AIM Triton service will roll out across the AIM network in a system-wide auto-upgrade. It will be woven into the AOL.com(R) portal and will replace all Windows-compatible versions of the AIM software to provide AIM users and AOL members with a complete communications service they can access anywhere, anytime.

Availability: Users can download and test the AIM Triton preview edition (beta version VI) later this week at http://www.aim.com or http://beta.aol.com. The new build will be delivered to current Triton beta testers via Active Update technology.

System Requirements: The AIM Triton preview edition requires Microsoft Windows XP.

About the AIM(R) Service

The AIM(R) service (http://www.aim.com) is at the center of one of the largest and most dynamic online communities, and is available for use on computers, cell phones and other handheld devices. The AIM service is an integrated communications client that offers instant messaging, email and SMS mobile texting as well as a variety of voice calling and streaming video services. Features include a Plaxo-enabled AIM(R) Address Book and integrated access to the AOL(R) Explorer, AOL(R) Mail, AIM(R) Mail, AOL(R) Radio, AIM(R) Talk and TotalTalk services.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.