America Online and Cingular Wireless this week announced the launch of a new text messaging service across the Cingular Wireless network. The availability of the AOL Instant Messenger service on
Cingular Wireless phones marks the first time Cingular customers will be able to use their phones to instant message with AOL members and AIM users. Available now across all Cingular text messaging
enabled phones, the new "IM-to-Mobile" service allows AOL members and registered users of the AIM service to send instant messages to and receive instant messages from Cingular Wireless phones simply
by sending an instant message to the phone number of the person they wish to reach. In addition, AOL members and AIM users who subscribe to Cingular Wireless can forward incoming instant messages to
their mobile phones while away from their computers, ensuring that their instant messages can follow them while on they are on the go. Additionally, both companies are fully integrating the AIM
service into the Cingular Wireless network. Before the end of the year, Cingular users will have access to phone-embedded versions of the popular AIM service, giving them the ability to view their AOL
Buddy List feature as well as send and receive instant messages directly from their Cingular phones.
