America Online Introduces Next-Generation AOL Instant Messenger, Version 3.0, for Windows and MAC Users.

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 1999--

AIM Surpasses 45 Million Registered Users

America Online to Continue Work with IETF to Make

Instant Messaging Systems Interoperable

America Online, Inc. (NYSE:AOL), the world's leading interactive services company, announced today the launch of its next-generation AOL Instant Messenger(sm), Version 3.0, the world's most popular and advanced instant messaging system now enhanced with new communications tools.

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is the free Internet extension of the AOL and CompuServe services' instant messaging systems. It enables home and business Internet users to see when their family, friends and colleagues come online, and allows them to send and respond to private, personalized electronic text messages instantly.

AIM now has more than 45 million registered users, including 15 million AOL members and 30 million AIM registrants, who together are sending more than 475 million messages daily.

The Company recently has announced collaborative agreements with Apple, EarthLink, MindSpring, Juno and Novell to offer their customers co-branded AIM clients or their own instant messaging products linked to AIM. The AIM community already included users of CompuServe, Netscape, IBM's Lotus Notes and Sametime, and RealNetworks.

Available for free downloads on Tuesday, AIM 3.0 offers AIM registered users a full package of exciting next-generation communications tools that will enrich and broaden their instant messaging experience. The new features include:

-- AIM Newsticker: Customizable and continuously updated news

delivered on the AIM client, with links to AOL MyNews, AOL.COM's

personalized news service.

-- AIM Stock Ticker: Customize it with your favorite stock ticker

symbols and watch updated stock prices continuously scroll across

the bottom of your AIM Buddy List.

-- Simplified Chat Navigation: Quick and easy movement between

AOL.COM chat rooms with open rooms highlighted in the new AIM's

Chat Navigation Window.

-- Buddy Icons: The ability to send and receive graphics

representing users that appear in the Instant Messaging window.

-- Auto-Reconnect: Detects brief breaks in users' connections to the

Internet, and automatically keeps them on AIM during these short

interruptions.

-- Registration Upgrade: A simpler and more secure registration

process, with special help for users to find a name they like --

up to 16 characters -- as well as the option to make AIM the

users' default instant messaging service.

The Company also reiterated its commitment to continue working with the IETF to establish industry standards to ensure that instant messaging systems are interoperable, while continuing to respect users' privacy and security.

Bob Pittman, President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online, said: "AIM 3.0 will make the world's most popular and advanced instant messaging system even richer, easier-to-use, and more convenient for Internet consumers. AIM 3.0's next-generation communications tools will greatly enhance the instant messaging experience for our registered users. And, in the coming months, we will be rolling out new features to ensure that AIM continues to be the most valuable instant messaging product in cyberspace."

Mr. Pittman continued: "Our agreements with IBM, RealNetworks, Apple, EarthLink, MindSpring, Juno and Novell are helping to build the instant messaging community for both business and personal use. In addition, we committed to enabling AIM registered users to instant message with users of other instant messaging systems. To that end, we will continue to work with the IETF to set industry standards for interoperability that respect the security and privacy for all Internet consumers."

Howard Lefkowitz, EarthLink's Vice President for Business Development and Internet Marketing, said: "We are thrilled with the opportunity to make AIM 3.0's cutting-edge communications tools available to our 1.3 million members. Our distribution of AIM -- the world's most popular and advanced instant messaging system -- ensures that our members always will have the best in instant messaging products to enrich their online experience."

"We're focused on delivering outstanding service to our over one-and-a-quarter million customers, and we think that AIM 3.0 will do just that, giving them an even better experience as they easily and instantly communicate with other MindSpring customers and AIM users worldwide, " said Mike McQuary, MindSpring's President and Chief Operating Officer.

AIM's core services already include the ability to search the Web, Yellow, and White Pages; public, private and Buddy Chat(sm) features; File Transfer and Get File features that lets users share files with other designated AIM users; a community directory of over 150 chat and interest areas; an enhanced People Finder tool; and privacy controls.

The AIM service is available to Internet users at AOL.COM (www.aol.com) and on other America Online brands, including CompuServe.com, Netscape Netcenter and to users of Netscape Communicator software.

About America Online, Inc.

Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services.

America Online, Inc. operates: two worldwide Internet services, America Online, with more than 17 million members, and CompuServe, with approximately 2 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers; AOL MovieFone, the nation's No. 1 movie listing guide and ticketing service; and Spinner Networks and NullSoft, Inc., leaders in Internet music.

Through its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the Company develops and offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies operating in the Net Economy.