AOL Adds New Voice Capabilities to ICQ

America Online Inc. (AOL) has added new features to its ICQ (“I Seek You”) instant messaging service that include a VoIP service called ICQ Voice Chat, a “walkie-talkie-style” voice service and a video instant-messaging service.

Although the company is not positioning ICQ voice chat as VoIP calling and did not use the word in its press release, an AOL spokesperson says the service does use VoIP technology. The service is based on an AOL proprietary protocol, OSCAR, or Open System for Communication Access in Real time.

The VoIP calls, walkie-talkie service and video IMs are limited to those on a buddy list, much in the mold of Yahoo!’s Yahoo Messenger, although that serviced also includes video conferencing.

The new ICQ walkie-talkie-style voice service allows users to chat with ICQ friends. The service is characterized as "always on" by AOL. With the walkie-talkie service, users push a button to talk, the release the button to hear others talk. The service is based on technology by Mobile Tornado International Ltd., a Dutch company that develops Internet Communication software.

The ICQ Voice Chat is described as allowing “for longer conversations between friends without having to take turns talking.” The video IM service can add video images to ICQ chats.

ICQ was created in 1996 by the Israel-based company, Mirabilis, and is now wholly owned by America Online Inc.

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