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Samsung's New Phone Takes AIM

Wireless handset will feature AOL's instant messaging service when it debuts later this month.

Scarlet Pruitt, IDG News Service

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Samsung Telecommunications America said Wednesday that it is integrating America Online's instant message service into its new cellular phone, allowing users to check the availability of online "buddies" and send and receive messages without uttering a word.

America Online's AIM service will be integrated into Samsung's new SGH-r225M phone, which will be available to U.S. consumers later this month.

The SGH-r225M is the latest offering from Samsung featuring a range of personalization options such as allowing users to assign colors to incoming calls from selected numbers.

IM Explosion

The inclusion of AIM on the new handset speaks to the growing popularity of instant messaging, Samsung says, and offers users the ability to send private messages when they do not want to be overheard speaking on the phone.

Users of the service will be able to IM buddies whether they are on mobile phones, home computers or other mobile devices, according to Samsung Telecommunications America, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.

For AOL, the deal is an extension of its strategy to offer services beyond the desktop. The Internet services company has struck similar deals with handset makers Nokia and Motorola, says a spokesperson in Dulles, Virginia.

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