AOL does a Google, Launches 2GB Email Service

America Online has announced the official launch of its free AIM Mail, a web based e-mail service offering 2GB of storage space. This comes packed with strong virus and spam protection.

AIM Mail’s interface and feature set is based on technology from Mailblocks, Inc., a consumer Web-based e-mail service acquired by America Online in July 2004. Both current AIM users and Internet users at large can access AIM Mail by visiting AIM.com and/or by downloading the updated AIM 5.9 software.

With 2GB of free storage, AIM is taking on its likes of Yahoo, Hotmail and Google and has also launched a sweepstakes for AIM users who activate their AIM Mail account. New users can register to become eligible to win daily prizes, including Starbucks gift cards, T-Mobile Sidekicks, Apple iPod Shuffles and Sony PlayStation Portables (PSPs). A 2005 MINI Cooper S is the grand prize.

"We are very excited to invite AIM users to activate their AIM Mail accounts, which are ready and available today," added Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president and general manager for AIM and ICQ, America Online, Inc. "We are also thanking our users for making their AIM Screen Name a core part of their identity by giving them the chance to win really cool prizes simply by activating their AIM Mail."

In a separate announcement, AOL has also announced that it will be dishing out unlimited email storage to its US ISP customers which is a first for any online service.