Google enjoyed a strong win for their instant messaging service yesterday when they enabled Gmail users to contact friends on the AIM network.

By investing $1 billion in AOL and creating this link between networks, Google has positioned itself to improve service for the large community of AIM users. That may be none too soon as AOL subscriber numbers continue to drop.

The seamless integration with Gmail will make it easier for users to have quick conversations without leaving the browser, and makes the value proposition for Gmail’s advertising space more attractive.

Though Google is committed to open standards and interoperability, AOL may place it as a lower priority because according to The New York Times, users running the AIM software will not be able to IM Google users.

Despite the growing trend in the software industry toward open systems, IM networks remain largely closed while businesses try to capitalize on what they consider captive audiences.

But, the walls surrounding these networks may be crumbling as MSN Messenger links to Yahoo Messenger and Google reaches into the AIM network.

The AIM software is notorious for some of its security holes, even this week AOL had to repair a bug that allowed a few lines of JavaScript to control a user’s computer. According to Wired, "it could take over 60,000 computers in two days, but I don’t want to," says 31-year-old programmer Michael Evanchik, who developed the new attack. "It’s a pretty big hole. You don’t even have to click anything."

AIM generates revenue through advertising and many of its users have complained that the ads are overbearing and irritating.

Google may be able to change that. With their pristine brand image and respectable advertising model, users are generally willing to try the company’s new products without much hesitation.

Related:

Entry was posted on Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 at 7:13 pm under Google, Internet, Software.

Read more entries by Matt Jansen.
Stumble It!