AOL to Pull the Plug on AOL Instant Messanger (AIM) on 12-15-2017
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Farewell, AIM: AOL Instant Messenger is signing off permanentlyBy Brad Chacos
Senior Editor, PCWorld | Oct 6, 2017 8:24 AM PTIt’s the end of an era that realistically ended a decade ago. On Friday, AOL announced that AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) will shut down permanently on December 15, 2017.
When I heard the news, my mind flashed back to the boxes full of America Online CDs in every store, to the dubstep-like beeps and boops of a 28.8K modem connecting to the Internet, and AIM chat rooms providing a real-time connection with people around the world long before social networks accomplished the same task.
But the rise of social networks like Facebook and Whatsapp were the final nail in AIM’s coffin. The company acknowledges that the times aren’t just a-changing now that we’re in the smartphone era—they’ve already been altered forever. “AIM tapped into new digital technologies and ignited a cultural shift, but the way in which we communicate with each other has profoundly changed,” writes Michael Albers, VP of communications at Oath (the Verizon brand that gobbled up AOL).
AOL discontinued active AIM development in 2012, and cut off third-party apps (like Adium, Trillian, and Pidgin) earlier this year. And AOL Instant Messenger isn’t the only turn of the century vanguard to fall on hard times; Microsoft shut down MSN Messenger in 2014, while Yahoo Messenger closed up shop last year.
An AOL help page says you’ll continue to have access to your @aim.com email address, but there’s no way to save or export your AIM buddy list for posterity.
So pour one out for AIM. Who could’ve guessed that AOL’s dial-up Internet business would outlast the one-time chat giant? If you’re looking for an all-encompassing AIM alternative, this handy Chrome extension lets you access Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Slack, Google Hangouts, Discord, Steam chat and more from a single window.
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Wasn’t even aware that AOL was still in business. What are they marketing now? Buggy Whips?
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they are going to ICQ heaven LOL
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I’m still using AOL IM.
My (one) buddy and I are trying to figure out what to replace it with and the pressure is on.
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@canoer said in AOL to Pull the Plug on AOL Instant Messanger (AIM) on 12-15-2017:
I’m still using AOL IM.
My (one) buddy and I are trying to figure out what to replace it with and the pressure is on.
skype?
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Probably Jabber since low bandwidth is needed. Although we’re just assuming that Skype and some of the others would be more data intensive.
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there is always google hangouts or duo
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how about LINE? is there still yahoo IM? or MSN one? or FB messenger
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Hm, LINE looks similar to WhatsApp. We don’t do FB and aren’t crazy about Google, but thanks for the suggestions. Yahoo still has an IM - who knew?
MSN Messenger is “gone”.
