The new version of AOL's instant-messaging software, AIM 6.5, offers a plug-in that lets users listen to songs their buddies have on their playlists. AIM Tunes does not require a separate media player. Copy-protected songs such as those bought on Apple Inc.'s iTunes won't play, however.
It's all part of making chat programs your communications hub.
"We continue to provide our users with the tools that make it easy for them to connect and share their lives with their social circles in real-time wherever they may be," said Marcien Jenckes, AOL's general manager for messaging and social media, said in a statement. "As social media booms, we're introducing even more ways to help our users connect."
AIM 6.5 also offers easier ways to send cell-phone text messages to friends when they are away from their computers and lets others see users' "away" greetings even after they've logged off. Users can also customize their buddy lists and "away" greetings from their cell phones by sending text messages.
The free software, from Time Warner Inc.'s AOL LLC, works with Windows-based computers only.
AIM is not safe. Lot of articles say that they have a security leak. MSN and Yahoo is best for the time being. 
