AOL is set to roll out a newer version of their instant messaging program, ICQ.
It’s undergoing an extreme makeover, to use language popular on American TV these days. The new version will allow others to add services to ICQ on top of the instant messaging application, by choosing plug-in-like additions. Examples listed include sending greeting cards to other ICQ users, or playing them in chess.
Maybe the new version will answer a question that AOL has been pondering ever since they bought ICQ a few years back. Just how do they make money from it?
Will the new ICQ make any money, or will it continue to be extremely popular and unprofitable?
I think ICQ’s logo lends themselves to always being a free and non-profit division.
Or am I the only one who sees that from the logo?
Comment by rustybrick — April 20, 2004 @ 9:05 am
I’m not sure. Considerably more information about this is [URL=http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/04/19/HNicq_1.html]here[/url].
There are some interesting ideas being worked into ICQ:
[i]Other enhancements in ICQ 4.0 include a revamped user interface, called Super Message, which consolidates operations into a single window, simplifying the user experience; a feature called Follow Me that lets users forward their ICQ messages to a cell phone; and integration with the ICQ Universe social networking service launched in March. [/i]
It is [URL=http://web.icq.com/]available today[/url], and there are a number of the extra features already built into it.
Comment by Bill — April 20, 2004 @ 5:26 pm
Yup, the real money is in corporate instant messaging.
Services:
– security
– logging
– tracking
– unified messaging
– and more bells and whistles
Comment by rustybrick — April 20, 2004 @ 5:35 pm