AOL has put out a new version of their AIM instant messaging client – version 7.1 This particular version has a new feature called Lifestream. Basically speaking, Lifestream allows you to manage some of your social networking accounts through your AIM interface. So far as I can tell, you can manage Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. Not too much of a Lifestream there, but a good start if you ask me.
I am currently using this new version of AIM and I have to say it is nice to be able to update my Facebook and Twitter statuses from my AIM client. There is one issue I have however – the Lifestream tab is extremely slow to update – I can get 30 or more tweets on my Twitter account before AIM will hook up to Twitter to update it. I would like to see them fix that particular issue as it is very annoying.
Moreover I have noticed significant issues with system performance when I am running AIM. Often times I have had to shut down AIM in order to be able to browse the internet with any speed. This does not happen all the time, and I have noticed that since switching to a screen name that does not have a Lifestream set up, I do not have the problem, so I believe it may be something to do with the Lifestream portion of the program. This is another thing I would like to see addressed.
My biggest complaint, though?? Listening to AOL Radio is a bit trickier now as I must go to the menu, go to AIM, and then click to listen to the radio. My last version of AIM had the radio right on the main part of the screen. As I am a music junkie and more often than not have music playing on my computer, the face that it is difficult to get to AOL Radio irritates me more than anything – I can use Seesmic or TweetDeck to access Facebook & Twitter, so I don’t worry about that. I just want my radio easier to find!
All in all, AIM is still the reliable instant messaging program it always was, it just has a few new features added in. If you are a staunch user of AIM, I do suggest you download this new version even if you will not use the Lifestream features – if only to be sure you are using the latest version and will be able to do all the things with AIM your friends are.
