Home › Forums › Archives › Instant Messaging › AIM Support › AIM update puts price on new buddies
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August 16, 2004 at 1:22 am #2682ladie_vennomMemberQuote:quote:America Online released a new version of its popular instant messaging program (AIM 5.9 Beta) earlier this week. This new version adds several new features, but this time at a price.
For $9.95 a year or $1.95 a month you’ll receive animated buddy icons, sound effects, wallpaper support for you IM’s window, and other features. All of this will be available in September of this year, when AOL launches AIM 5.9. This move comes as another attempt from AOL to increase its overall revenue, which up to this point has been disappointing for its shareholders.
I don’t think these new features will help bring in a decent amount of revenue for AOL. Simply because I don’t think consumers will pay for features like these, when they can get them free from other IM services. If AOL really wants to make AIM users happy they should design AIM with new interface. Let’s face it AIM hasn’t added anything exciting to its IM service for long time. Because of this other IM services have had time to innovate new and exciting features, features like three way video conferencing from Apple. Granted that Apple didn’t create three way video conferencing the way it’s presented is definitely pretty impressive.
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August 16, 2004 at 1:34 am #39783CharlesMemberUm, I am not sure whether or not this is news.
They have been charging for these expressions since the early 5.x days, haven’t they? The only difference is these new “animated icons,” why not just use an animated GIF file? Hopefully they will start charging for the service, then my friends can all switch to MSN and make me happier.
edit: typo
August 16, 2004 at 1:38 am #39784DavidParticipantQuote:quote:Originally posted by CharlesUm, I am not sure whether or not this is news.
They have been charging for these expressions since the early 5.x days, haven’t they? The only difference is these new “animated icons,” why not just use an animated GIF file? Hopefully they will start charging for the service, then my friends can all switch to MSN and make me happier.
edit: typo
Heck yah!
I’m even more happy with this news, AOL is digging themselves deeper into the hole. it’s only a matter of time.
August 16, 2004 at 1:48 am #39788smurfMemberthats stupi if they are gonna charge for a service that should be free!
August 17, 2004 at 1:03 am #39787aznballa161ParticipantI like the AIM service just not their AIM applications. They try to make it all “cool” with all these features. but the thing is, nobody really want the features, they just want a service so they can comunicate
August 17, 2004 at 2:59 am #39785TigerbladeParticipantso to quote thome25nomar5 from this topic,
Quote:quote:Hey, so what is it, you can download the new aim when it comes out for free, but if you want the certain things when using it, you gotta pay the $9.95? how is it going to work.i’m not quite following how they intend to make this work? service stays free but you can buy addons? is that the idea behind this? haha I can tell you exactly who’s gonna pay for aim – no one. well I take that back. there will be a few morons who think “hey yeah I wanna give some of my money to a company that keeps making their product worse and worse! yeah good idea!”
August 17, 2004 at 3:34 am #39782Jeff HesterKeymasterUnfortunately, I have to keep the free AIM, because my father and brother refuse to switch and use yahoo ( why? They can’t even give me a good reason except that AOL is their ISP…) I tried to explain to them it doesn’t matter that they could download yahoo or MSN but its like talking to a wall. I will be up a creek if they decide to get rid of the free AIM for good.
August 17, 2004 at 3:41 am #39789smurfMemberif the addons are really worth money im sure someone will find a way to get em all free. just a matter of time I guess
August 17, 2004 at 3:50 am #39786kyuubiMemberpersonally…since I was introducted to AIMs, I have liked it alot…but this idea is just no good…they’re trying to make more money, but this is for sure not a good way to do it, I for one will not spend that kind of money, nor will anyone else who is good with their common sense…it will not work…:mad::)
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