AOL To Synchronize PIMs With Plaxo Tools

America Online today announced that it is working with Plaxo to enable AOL members and AIM users keep their e-mail address books and Buddy List features up-to-date, and make it easy to access AOL services from other e-mail programs.

Under terms of the agreement, AOL will integrate Plaxo services to enable its members and AIM users to easily import, export, and synchronize contact information in their Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express and third party Web-based e-mail address books with their AOL Mail and AIM Mail address books. This will also enable AIM users to automatically pull contact information from third party address books to pre-populate, or build upon, their Buddy List features. In addition, the agreement will enable AOL members, AIM users and Plaxo members to detect AIM presence information from within Plaxo and Plaxo-enabled platforms, such as Outlook and Outlook Express. A new AOL/AIM Screen Name field will be added to both Plaxo and Outlook 'v-cards' and the familiar AOL Running Man icon will appear in contact lists and e-mail headers to let users know when AIM buddies are online and available to chat. The hoped-for result will be a universal and up-to-date address book that can be used at home, at work, and the road, and one which provides the accurate contact and presence information necessary for all digital communications.

"Together with Plaxo, we are making it easy for our members and users to create, update and maintain their e-mail address books and Buddy List features," said Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president for AIM and ICQ, America Online, Inc. "Through this agreement, we will also enable Plaxo users to detect AIM presence within the Plaxo service and Outlook, giving them instant access to their friends, family and colleagues."

Plaxo will also integrate access to the AIM service into its software and AIM users will be given the opportunity to install the Plaxo plug-in for Outlook or Outlook Express while downloading or upgrading the AIM service. AOL members will be able to adopt Plaxo both within the AOL service and on the AOL.com portal. Both AOL and Plaxo will make the integrated features available at no additional charge to their subscribers and registered users. A public beta of the joint technology will be available from America Online, Inc. later this year.