AOL has had a web version of AIM for quite some time now.  I haven’t used it in a long time, but I remember it was powered by Java last time I used it.  Recently Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) sent out a press release stating that AOL launched AIM Express, a Flash-based version of AIM.   The URL for the new AIM Express is at: http://www.aim.com/aimexpress.adp.

“AIM Express raises the bar with its streamlined design and lightweight messaging experience,” stated David Liu, SVP AOL People Networks. “It’s now even easier for AIM users, especially those on-the-go, to connect with friends whether at home, at a coffee shop, the library, or wherever they have Web access.”

The new version of AIM Express includes tabbed IM conversations, status messages, text message mode, buddy rollover, and browser compatibility.  AOL also launched an AIM platform that is compatible with the Windows Mobile operating system.

When I heard about this news, the first thought I had was Meebo already exists.  Why switch to AIM Express from Meebo?  I can understand why people would use the mobile version of AIM Express, but the Flash-based online version seems pretty useless compared to Meebo.  Using Meebo, users can sign on to AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ, MSN, and Jabber at the same time.

There are several other services that took Meebo’s offerings and one-upped them too.  For example, Digsby is another instant messenger and social network aggregator.  Digsby supports AIM, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ, GTalk, Jabber, Facebook Chat, etc.

Pidgin is another example.  Pidgin supports Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, GTalk, Groupwise, ICQ, IRC, MSN, MySpaceIM, QQ, SILC, SIMPLE, Sametime, XMPP, Yahoo!, and Zephyr.

Will a lot of people use AIM Express?  Even though there are a plethora of alternatives for AIM Express, many people will end up using it because there is a link to it directly on AIM.com.  And everytime someone logs into the AIM desktop software, AIM.com is opened in the default browser unless it is switched off.  This increases the overall awareness of AIM Express.

Meebo, the online chat application that is powered by AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, and Jabber has raised a Series C round of investment at $25 million. JAFCO Ventures was the lead investor. Other investors include Time Warner, KTB Ventures, Sequoia Capital, and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Meebo was started in September 2005 and is currently valuated at $200 million.

Meebo is a top 400 site within Alexa.  The online instant message company plans to utilize their partnership through Time Warner by working with its subsidiaries such as AOL, TMZ, New Line Cinema, People Magazine, and CNN.

Meebo will be expanding to Japan and Korea with this round of funding.  Meebo also has partnerships with VideoEgg, CBS, PUMA, and 4 record labels.  Meebo started in September 2005 and has over 29 million users sending over 150 million IMs daily.

The actual name of the company was written on a napkin by the three co-founders.   What is the deal with  coming up with business plans and Internet company names on napkins?

“Meebo is a highly-promising company with an incredible team and defendable technology,” stated Carter Brokaw, the Chief Revenue Officer of Meebo. “From a monetization perspective, I’m looking forward to helping leverage Meebo’s core strength by bringing brands into the conversation in ways that are engaging, integrated and measurable.”

Meebo announced today that they have hired Carter Brokaw, a former CNET and Warner Music executive.  Meebo will also be rolling out an advertising system.  Users will be respond positively or negatively to the types of ads that they are shown according to Marshall Kirkpatrick at ReadWriteWeb.

Montgomery & Co. is currently working with Meebo to raise additional funding as well.  Rumor has it that Meebo is looking for $250 million.  Meebo currently has a bubble ad platform where advertisers where they can set background skins, distribute buddy icons, and embed video ads.

Soldiers in Iraq, librarians, teachers, and retailers all use Meebo.  Meebo has over 30 million users and the chat client is available in about 53 languages.

Information Sources:
[1] ReadWriteWeb: Marketing 2.0: Can Meebo Make it Real? by Marshall Kirkpatrick
[2] CenterNetworks: Interview with Seth Sternberg, Founder Meebo by Allen Stern
[3] TechCrunch: Meebo Can’t Get Their Price, Goes For Fundraising Instead Of Sale by Michael Arrington

Meebo is an online application that allows users to log into several different instant message systems remotely.  These IM systems include AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, and Jabber.  Meebo launched in 2005 and received $12.5 million in funding from Sequoia Capital and Draper Fisher Jurvetson.  Over 100 million IMs are sent daily through Meebo.  Several media companies use Meebo to connect to their fans through by using Meebo’s chat room features.

The rumor on the Internets is that Meebo is looking to raise an additional $25-$30 million.  And that Meebo has hired San Francisco, Calif.-based investment bank, Montgomery & Co. to help find an investor.  If Meebo is able to raise those funds, their valuation could become $250 million.  Meebo receives 29 million monthly unique visitors per month.

Meebo was started by Sandy Jen and Seth Sternberg.  The company also recently hired Martin Green from CNET to work in business development.

[Information Source: VentureBeat/AllThingsD]

As you know, you cannot always access your instant messaging software at every computer that you go to.  I especially noticed this when I was in India for 5 months this past year.  When I was walking around different computer labs in India, I noticed some of people around me using meebo.  meebo allows you to access your buddies on any computer with an Internet connection for the MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, Google Talk, and Jabber IM clients.

meebo raised $3.5 million from Sequoia Capital in December 2005.  Roelof Botha of Sequoia led the funding.  And now meebo has raised $9 million from Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ).  Through the funding, Tim Draper of DFJ has joined the meebo board of directors.  Draper Fisher Jurvetson has also previously invested in Hotmail and Skype.  Speaking of DFJ, about 9 days ago Pulse 2.0 also wrote about DFJ investing into companies, PayPerPost and Boxbe.

With this new round of investment, meebo hopes to find new ways to monetize the service without using the ‘punch the monkey’ ad banners.  meebo also hopes to get into the mobile market as well.

[Source: meebo blog and TechCrunch]