During September 2009, AOL announced a major update to its AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) client for the web and mobile (AIM Mobile Chat), showing connectivity with (non AOL!) social networks like Facebook and Twitter. The new features will enable users to easily update status messages and staying connected to friends without leaving AIM.

The upgrade is part of AIM's new Lifestream feature set, connecting AIM to services such as Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Delicious and YouTube and lets users automatically cross-post their status, send pictures, videos and Web links.

This is an important development not just for the web users, but especially the mobile users with increased interest and popularity of mobile access & management of IM and social networks (AIM Mobile Chat).

With the new connectivity, AOL has departed from its relatively closed network, while still positioning it as a starting point for real-time communications. For example, instead of leaving AIM for Twitter, the new version lets you drag URLs into your Twitter feed.

AOL officials said the new version will make AIM one of, if not the largest Twitter and Facebook clients in the world.

The Tjat offering enables both AIM Mobile Chat along any Email account and leading Social Networks as well.