AIM 6.8 Beta includes real-time IM: Freudian slips not just a vocal problem

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AIM 6.8 Beta includes real-time IM: Freudian slips not just a vocal problem

by Danny Mendez Jan 11th 2008

Ever wanted to see what your friends are typing to you as they type it? You'll get your chance with latest AIM Beta. Now at version 6.8, the newest version of AIM includes support for real-time IM. Unfortunately, Freudian slips are no longer a vocal problem.

The new feature is incompatible with iChat, Pidgin, and other third party IM clients, but if this catches on, it's likely they'll add support to for real-time IM soon. For now, if you'd like to use this feature, you'll need to use the official AIM client.

Real-time IM requires one of the users to activate a direct connection. The other party may choose to decline, so at least it's optional. Though it may seem "regular" and "bland", the ability to edit instant messages is a blessing. Maybe we're just a bit geekier and a little more old-fashioned than the average person, but we've been caught in way too many awkward, verbal situations because of something as minor as a forgotten name (it's hard to remember everyone from high school, dammit).

[via CyberNet]

Tags: aim, america online, AmericaOnline, aol, im, instant messaging, InstantMessaging, real time IM, real-time, RealTimeIm

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mxxcon said 7:23PM on 1-11-2008

ICQ always had "realtime chat", ie you can see the other party typing their message letter by letter. i think in the very beginning that was the only way to chat at all. later they added "messages" mode

Tom said 7:55PM on 1-11-2008

They had group realtime chat too, I recall being in sets of 4 or maybe 6 blocks of type (you could customize the font/color/size) and livechatting. That was INSTANT messaging.

Dr. Chuck said 7:32PM on 1-11-2008

Woohoo, Unix talk lives! ;-)

http://www.rt.com/man/talk.1.html

DG10050 said 8:56PM on 1-11-2008

Ugh. Who the hell would _want_ to have the person they're chatting with see all of their typing mistakes? >_>

rpheckenkamp said 9:30PM on 1-11-2008

Neat. I did this with ICQ in the early mid 90's. Not new, but still cool

Morgan said 10:54PM on 1-11-2008

It's perfect to get chat even filthier than it already is. Type something way over the edge, delete it, moderate it, add a smiley face and it's all OK.

Wondering if all typing is logged or loggable for the inevitable use by predators to send then retract a message.

Austin Life said 3:34AM on 1-12-2008

I remembered ICQ also. I LOVED that, to watch someones real thoughts put onto the screen, not some edited scripted junk but to watch them think, or at least as fast as they could type -- that really is fun. I type fast and faster when I'm having fun chatting, get into a fast, fun chat with this and it's always fun to watch people write, back over it, say something new, on and on; you get to comment not only on what they write but also what they backed over, you get to know them better for watching their mind (through fingers, to be sure) work, and they get that same shot of you.

It'd be insane in a group chat but it's great fun one on one with a friend.

My $0.02

Peace.

Xell said 4:44PM on 1-13-2008

If I used AIM, which I thankfully don't, I would turn this off... Seems pointless.

Koolio said 5:48PM on 1-13-2008

this remind me Unix talk which I used back in 1995 when there was no IM. Very nice feature which I wished to see in any IM. Too bad, I don't use AIM. I think GTalk is enough for me.

Coryan said 7:27PM on 1-13-2008

Not sure I'd care for this feature. I much prefer to type while I'm thinking and then edit (if necessary). This would require me to decide what I want to say before starting to type. Let's leave that "thinking" stuff for person-to-person conversations.

TurboFool said 12:45PM on 1-14-2008

Way to go, AIM, add a feature that's been around since PowWow and has been in ICQ for over a decade.

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