Wi-Fi Positioning System Enables AIM Users to Pinpoint and Share Their Location with Buddies

Skyhook Wireless said it is powering the next-generation location-based plugin for users of AOL's AIM service, the largest instant messaging community in the U.S. The Wi-Fi-based AIM Location plugin allows desktop AIM users to set and share their current or future location with AIM buddies using Skyhook's Wi-Fi Positioning System™ (WPS).

The AIM® Location plugin powered with Skyhook's WPS technology delivers rich location-based presence data to users of the popular AIM® instant messaging service. AIM users can share their location at any given time, and also quickly see the locations of friends on their AIM® Buddy List® feature[1] who are also using the AIM Location plugin. AIM users who download the AIM Location plugin will also find a new “Near Me” group on their Buddy List identifying those buddies who opt to share their location and who are within a set distance from the AIM user. Whether trying to connect in-person with peers at the campus library or trying to track down co-workers to address an urgent issue face-to-face, the Skyhook-enabled AIM Location plugin has the power to better facilitate meaningful face-to-face interactions.

“Rich presence brings additional flexibility and creativity to user interactions. The Skyhook-enabled AIM Location plugin takes this even further by integrating the user's physical location, thereby giving greater and more meaningful context to how people communicate,” said David Ferris, president and senior analyst, Ferris Research, a research firm focused on messaging and collaborative technologies. “This is the first 'tipping point' feature in the much-hyped area of social networking to deliver on the promise of connecting - and even re-connecting - people in our increasingly mobile and digital society.”

The AIM Location plugin is an intuitive, easy-to-use extension that provides AIM users – and their buddies – with a straightforward visualization of the locations of friends and colleagues on their AIM Buddy List. The “Get Location” feature, for example, clearly displays the location and distance of AIM buddies on an easy to read MapQuest® map. In addition, users can customize their location, based on where they are or what they are doing – for example, 'Work' or 'Library' - adding even more meaningful context beyond just location.

“Adding location-based presence to AIM allows users to easily bridge the gap between the digital and the physical,” said Jed Rice, Vice President of Market Development for Skyhook Wireless. “Working with a leading innovator like AIM, we are helping to take instant messaging beyond a communications platform to enable richer and more meaningful face-to-face connections, interactions and exchanges.”

“By working with Skyhook on this next-generation AIM Location plugin, we are expanding the social networking capabilities available to our AIM users. At any given time, AIM users can now see where their buddies are, map their location and quickly find out how far they are from each other so they can meet in person,” said Marcien Jenckes, Senior Vice President, Messaging & Social Media, AOL. “This new Skyhook-enabled plugin will provide AIM users with a unique location-based experience.”

System Requirements: The enhanced AIM Location plugin requires that AIM users have the AIM 6.0 software, which is available as a free download at www.aim.com. AIM 6.0 requires Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000. To access the Skyhook WPS technology in the updated plugin, AIM users must opt in when downloading the plugin and access AIM from a Wi-Fi-enabled computer.

Source: AOL