AIM Update Adds Bundled AOL Browser

Detecting socially engineered phishing scams poses different challenges than scanning for spyware. To that end, AOL has integrated a "Who Is" lookup that displays exactly who owns the Web site a user is visiting. Separately, AOL has begun to block access to known phishing Web sites, working internally and with partners.

Explaining the reasoning behind its decision to bundle AOL Explorer, a spokesperson told BetaNews, "We're employing the AOL Explorer browser software as a better platform for the delivery of the AIM Today page, which is our users' portal of entry into AIM.com and the content and services that can be accessed there."

"If users don't want to see the AIM Today panel or experience AOL Explorer they are able to adjust those settings in their AIM preferences. We aren't mandating that AIM users adopt AOL Explorer as their Web browser of choice, but rather, we're upgrading our service and utilizing the software that helps us best deliver the AIM experience," the spokesperson added.

Users can uninstall the AOL Browser through the Add/Remove Programs tool in the Windows Control Panel. When this is done, AIM Today will revert back to the faceless IE browser window. Despite having welded in AOL Explorer, AOL has removed third party software from WildTangent and Weatherbug, and has replaced the AIM Toolbar with an optional installation of the AOL Toolbar.

Aside from the AOL Explorer, the new AIM release bundles the final version of AIM Sync by Intellisync. The software integrates AOL Instant Messenger presence awareness into Microsoft Outlook. Reciprocally, AIM Sync will provide users with the option of adding their Outlook contacts to their AIM Buddy List.

AIM 5.9 will get some new features aside from external applications. Answering a longstanding user grievance, the beta adds the ability to send messages while in the "away" mode.

As first reported by BetaNews, AIM 5.9 is slated to be replaced by the upcoming "Triton" client. Triton is completely rewritten from the ground up and introduces a new, simplified user interface that corrals open chat sessions into a tabbed window dubbed "IM Catcher." Triton also features a "Quicknote" dialog window that provides a snapshot of contact information and lists available ways to communicate with a buddy, including voice and video.

The AOL Instant Messenger 5.9 Beta and AIM Triton may be downloaded via FileForum.