MySpace, AOL Square Off

The gauntlet has been thrown. MySpace has introduced an IM client, while AOL is launching a MySpace-competing community.

This is liking watching an aging sumo wrestler (AOL) being challenged by a young heavyweight boxer (MySpace). The boxer wants to artfully jab his way to victory, while the wrestler just wants to slam him to the ground.

Launching a new IM client is tough considering every person who has spent more than 8 minutes online probably already as at least one instant messenger (I have 3). Getting all of your friends to switch from AIM just because the new client is from MySpace won't be so easy lacking truly compelling features. There's no reason why you can't keep using AIM too.

AOL has a long history and entrenched audience of non-techie older users who won't be hot for MySpace, while some MySpace users could be lured into AOL's territory if the giant can provide some unique media. MySpace will win over much of the younger crowd, but venerable AOL is here to stay.