Google has recently integrated AOL’s popular AIM instant-messaging service in to Gmail. Since February 2006, Gmail Chat is available and now Gmail users can get connected to AIM through a drop-down menu on the Gmail Web page. To try this, look for the big red banner on the top left when logged in to Gmail. In the right navigation, you could click on the upside-down triangle next to "set status here" in your Gmail chat and choose "Sign into AIM" from the drop down menu. Once you’ve got in your AIM log-in data, your AIM contacts would automatically appear intermingled among your Gmail contacts, and you could then select an AIM contact and chat with them directly. Google is on the way to roll out a fresh feature on the English version of Gmail; however other language version on Gmail will be available soon.

Google in a statement said - "We’re always looking for new and useful ways to help our users connect with friends, family, and coworkers," Further the ability to connect to AIM through Gmail is no doubt a "very big deal," said Michael Osterman, founder of messaging analysis firm Osterman Research. About 75 percent of people who use IM in business settings use AIM or the AIM enterprise product, he said. "Best of all, the features you love most about Gmail chat, such as chat history and automatic sorting of your buddies based on regularity of communication, work effortlessly across your Google and AIM buddies," Jazayeri said (Senior product manager at Google).

At present AIM, works only in the latest version of Gmail, and is currently available for Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2. So upgrade your browser today!

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