• by Shankar Gupta , May 10, 2005

America Online recently upgraded its Instant Messenger by adding new features, including a revised browser window and the ability for members to create blogs.

The upgraded Instant Messenger, a new version of AIM 5.9 that launched in beta last week, offers features that include an integrated RSS reader, tabbed browsers, thumbnail previews of Web sites, and a spyware blocker.

AOL also is giving Instant Messenger users--including non-AOL subscribers--the ability to create blogs on AOL Journals. Users can update their blogs using AIM by sending a message to the screen name "AOL Journals" from any computer or wireless-enabled device. In addition, AOL this month started beta testing an entirely new AIM program, dubbed "Triton"--which, among other features, includes an auto-logging function that records conversations until the user signs off, and integrates the user's buddy list and AOL address book.