Free web-based e-mail service provides spam and e-mail virus protection; additional features include AIM presence along with 2 GB of email storage.

America Online, Inc., yesterday announced that it will begin beta testing AIM Mail, its free Web-based e-mail service that will be available to all Internet users, beginning May 12th, 2005.

The new Web Mail service introduces the AIM.com e-mail domain, which is based upon one of the Internet communication brands available today. AIM Mail provides spam, e-mail virus protection and additional features including AIM presence, instant messaging integration as well as 2 GB of online e-mail storage.

AIM Mail will be available to Internet users first through the AOL Instant Messenger service and will be available on the new AOL.com Web site in the coming months. The beta version of AIM Mail is available now as part of the ongoing beta test of the updated AIM 5.9 software.