AOL Switches AIM Express to Flash

The latest version of AIM Express uses Flash to enable features like tabbed conversations, text messaging, status messages, and more.

Nomadic IM addicts rejoice: AOL just released a new version of AIM Express, its instant messaging client that doesn’t need to be installed on a computer. The new Flash-based version adds many features that were formerly exclusive to the clunky downloadable AIM.

By switching to Flash, developers were able to enable tabbed conversations, status messages that stick whether or not the user is online, a mode that allows users to send outgoing text messages instead of IMs, and even a “buddy rollover” that shows a user’s buddy icon and status message when moused over.

The updated version of AIM Express has already replaced the old version at the AOL’s AIM Express launch page, and is available for free. It runs with all popular browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.