AOL Instant Messenger is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time.HistoryAOL Instant Messenger was released by America Online (AOL) in May 1997. Stand-alone official AIM client software includes advertisements and is available for Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, Mac OS, Mac OS X, Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS. The software, maintained by AOL, Inc., at one time had the largest share of the instant messaging market in North America, especially in the United States (with 52% of the total reported as of 2006). This does not include other instant messaging software related to or developed by AOL, such as ICQ and iChat.DownfallAs of June 2011, one reported market share had collapsed to 0.73%. However, this number only reflects installed IM applications, and not active users.ProtocolThe standard protocol that AIM clients use to communicate is called Open System for CommunicAtion in Realtime (OSCAR). Most AOL-produced versions of AIM and popular third party AIM clients use this protocol. However, AOL also created a simpler protocol called TOC that lacks many of OSCAR's features but is sometimes used for clients that only require basic chat functionality. The TOC/TOC2 protocol specifications were made available by AOL, while OSCAR is a closed protocol that third parties have had to reverse-engineer.
Looking for a program that is like AIM? We have our top picks here. If you need another program that has some of the features of AIM on your device, read what we recommend in this post.
An instant messaging app that provides online text message and video chat services.
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Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.
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Hangouts is a messaging app that lets you send and receive messages, photos and more, and even start free video and voice calls – one to one or with a group! ...
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With WhatsApp, you'll get fast, simple, secure messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.
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