The AOL Instant Messenger ''AIM'' Service Teams with Top Sites and Services to Help Users Connect and Communicate in Real Time

Business Wire, Feb 28, 2005

DULLES, Va. -- As part of its commitment to providing members and users with easy access to their preferred services, America Online, Inc. today announced that it is working with leading websites and services to weave the AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) (AIM(R)) service directly into their offerings, giving users access to the AIM service wherever and whenever they need it. The partners announced today include Intellisync Corporation, CareerBuilder, Inc., Ruckus Network, Inc. and Thomson Financial.

"Our goal is to offer instant access to the AOL Instant Messenger service and the familiar AIM(R) Buddy List(R) feature everywhere consumers are and want to be, from their email application to their favorite online communities," said Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president and general manager, AIM and ICQ, America Online, Inc. "As the real time communications service of choice for tens of millions of Americans, the AIM service brings dynamic interactivity to the sites and services that people use everyday."

AIM Sync by Intellisync weaves the AOL Instant Messenger service into Outlook(R)

AIM(R) Sync by Intellisync, available today in a public beta test, lets AIM(R) users who also use Microsoft(R) Outlook(R) 2002 or 2003 bring instant messaging and presence-awareness into their Outlook application so that they can easily see when their Outlook contacts are online and available to chat.

AIM Sync by Intellisync is a free service that uses the AOL(R) Running Man icon to let users know when their Outlook contacts are online and available at key points in the Outlook application. These include the address fields on Outlook e-mail messages and Outlook Contacts, including address 'v-cards' as well as address and phone list views. With one click on the AOL Running Man icon, users can launch an AIM(R) instant messaging session from within the Outlook application to connect with their Outlook contacts in real time.

AIM Sync by Intellisync also helps users add their Outlook contacts to their AIM Buddy List(TM) feature, using each contact's AIM(R) screen name, mobile phone number or both. Users are also given a quick and easy way to invite their Outlook contacts to register for the AIM service.

AIM Sync by Intellisync is powered by technology from Intellisync Corporation, a leading developer and marketer of wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications industry. The public beta test is now available for download at www.aim.com.

CareerBuilder.com and the AIM service bring recruiters and job seekers together

Also announced today, CareerBuilder.com, the nation's leading online job network, has agreed to weave instant messaging and the one click access to the AIM service into its online recruiting website. CareerBuilder.com will enable AIM users to register their AIM screen names in connection with the resumes they have submitted or posted for review, and will indicate applicants' online presence with the AOL Running Man icon.

Recruiters and hiring managers will simply click the familiar icon to launch an instant messaging session with the applicant. CareerBuilder.com will also help users to quickly access and download the AIM service so that they can respond to interested parties in real time.

Ruckus Network brings music downloads and instant messaging to campus

In addition, Ruckus Network has agreed to integrate the AOL Instant Messenger service and AIM presence across its online community services. Ruckus Network, which provides universities and colleges with a variety of community features and entertainment programming, offers subscription pricing on licensed music and video downloads for students.

Instant messaging and online media are essential components of college students' digital lifestyles. Integrating AIM presence and the familiar AOL Running Man icon across the Ruckus service lets students quickly see if friends using Ruckus are online and available to chat about popular music and movies. Ruckus users can also use the AIM service to make new friends with common entertainment interests, sharing play lists and trading audio, video and text instant messages back-and-forth.

Under the new relationship, Ruckus users will also be able to use a special screen name (e.g., lisa@ruckus.com) and choose from customized, Ruckus-branded Buddy wallpaper and Buddy icons to further personalize their instant messaging experience.

Thomson Financial taps the AIM service to offer traders new efficiencies

Finally, Thomson Financial, a leading provider of information and technology solutions to the worldwide financial community, has launched Thomson AutEx with the integrated AIM service over the Thomson ONE desktop.

The AIM integration was created in partnership with one of AOL's Certified Application Provider (CAP) partners, IMlogic, Inc. (www.imlogic.com). It enables the direct negotiation of price and quantity between buy-side traders and brokers. The addition of AIM presence and the signature AOL Running Man icon also enhances Thomson ONE users' ability to connect and collaborate with clients and counter-parties, resulting in improved client service and increased efficiency.