What was announced between Plaxo and AOL?
We announced a new relationship that will offer substantial benefits to AOL® members, AIM® users and Plaxo™ members. The agreement between our companies will provide a universal and up-to-date address book, powered by Plaxo and included in AOL and AIM solutions, that can be used at home, at work, and on the road. It will provide the always up-to-date and accurate contact and presence information necessary for effective digital communications.

This Plaxo-enabled functionality will be part of the standard download for all new and upgrading AIM users and AOL members, and will be an integral part the new AIM Mail service. Given that there are over 33 M active AIM users, over 23 M AOL members, and over 1 M users of the AIM Mail Service, this should mean many more of your friends, colleagues, and customers will be Plaxo members in the months to come.

The integration of AIM presence information within Plaxo means that people will be able to look at the people in their address books (or look at the person who has just sent them an email), see if they are AIM users, if they are online or offline, and—with one click—initiate an AIM session.

For more detailed information, including specific product features, please read our press release.
 

Why do I want the new software??
The integrated technology will enable you (from wherever you are) to connect with your friends and colleagues (wherever they are) in the manner (e-mail, regular mail, IM, phone, Voice over IP, text messaging) that is most appropriate.

For more detailed information, including specific features, please read our press release.
 

When and where can I get it?
Both AOL and Plaxo will make the integrated features available at no additional charge to their subscribers and registered users. A public beta of the joint technology will be available from America Online and Plaxo later this year.

You may sign up on our forum to be among the first to learn when this software is available.
 

What is Plaxo?
Plaxo is a contact management tool that enables you to automatically update and manage your address book. You no longer have to worry about whether your contact list is up-to-date.

For a complete description of our Plaxo services, please learn more about our products at http://www.plaxo.com/products.
 

How will this affect me as an AOL/AIM subscriber?
AOL will integrate Plaxo services to enable AOL members and AIM users to easily import, export and synchronize contact information in their Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express and third party Web-based e-mail address books with their AOL Mail and AIM Mail address books. Plaxo-connected AOL/AIM users’ address books will be more up-to-date and accurate as contact updates from other members flow into their AOL Universal Address Book.

In addition, the new software will enable AOL members, AIM users and Plaxo members to detect AIM presence information from within Outlook and Outlook Express. The familiar AOL Running Man icon will appear in contact lists and e-mail headers to let users know when AIM buddies are online and available to chat.
 

I am an existing Plaxo member. What does this announcement mean for me?
Plaxo members will be able to extend their universal address book to work within AOL clients. Many of our subscribers use Plaxo in association with a work environment (such as Outlook); this software will enable them to access the information from their work environment from within AIM, AIM Mail, or AOL, while at home, school, or on the road. Furthermore, the integration of AIM presence information within Plaxo means that people will be able to look at the people in their address books (or look at the person who has just sent them an email) and be able to see if they are AIM users, see if they are online or offline, and — with one click — initiate an AIM session.
 

What sorts of Privacy Protections are in place?
AOL has long been recognized as a leader in Privacy. In addition, Plaxo’s privacy practices have been praised as some of the most stringent in the business, and Plaxo, Inc. is a certified licensee of the TRUSTe® Privacy Program and abides by the EU Safe Harbor Framework as outlined by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the European Union.

Both companies’ privacy practices ensure that members have control over their personal information, which can never be shared with a third party unless instructed by the member.
 

How will Plaxo-enabled AOL/AIM subscribers keep their address books up to date?
All Plaxo-connected contacts will remain up-to-date and accurate as contact updates seamlessly flow into the AOL Universal Address Book.

Currently, a new Plaxo member will find that 20 percent of their address book is already Plaxo-connected and thus their updated contact information is provided by default. After we implement this joint offering, Plaxo's existing 5+ million members will have the potential to be connected to AOL's more than 40 million members and registered users

In addition, while the Update Request feature has been popular with Plaxo members (enabling a member to easily send a notice to a non-member requesting their updated contact information), we no longer feel that the mass update request mechanism is as necessary, as new members find a large percentage of their contacts are already Plaxo members.

As a result, we have removed the Update Contacts wizard from the initial user flow for AOL members and AIM users who adopt the new Plaxo contact management solution. Instead, we will focus on ensuring that they can easily consolidate, merge, and populate their existing address book entries.
 

Will Plaxo now charge me to use the Plaxo Service?
No. The basic Plaxo Service is free and will remain free.
 

Will I have to join AIM or AOL in order to use Plaxo?
No. Both Plaxo and AIM can be used independently of each other, but AIM and AOL users will have the option of using the AOL Universal Address Book powered by Plaxo to create a single unified address book accessible through AIM, AOL, or Plaxo.
 

Does part of the agreement include Plaxo giving AOL all its members’ contact info?
Absolutely not. With Plaxo, a member’s information belongs only to them. Only a member may decide how, when and with whom they choose to share their information.
 

Will AOL/AIM users be required to become Plaxo members?
No. Both Plaxo and AIM can be used independently of each other, but AOL/AIM subscribers who choose to become Plaxo members will have a Universal Address Book that will integrate their AOL/AIM address book with their Outlook, Outlook Express, or third party Web-based e-mail address book.