Instant messaging provider ICQ is offering a fee-based
webmail service that includes 2Gbytes of storage, a calendar
feature, task manager, notepad, wireless access and support for
both Pop3 and Imap.
The service, which costs $20 (£11) a year, also includes spam
filtering and blocking, protection against viruses and a 20Mbyte
ceiling on files sent or received. According to ICQ, it translates
messages into seven languages, compresses large attachments and
offers Wap support for access from a mobile device.
Extra features come for additional fees. One such option lets
users send e-mail messages to wireless devices that support SMS.
Another is a video e-mail service that can be used by subscribers
with a webcam attached to their PCs - the webmail interface has
VCR-like controls to record the message, which recipients can play
back without additional software on Windows-based PCs.
Ronen Arad, ICQ director of product management, said the company
was also significantly revamping its existing free webmail service,
which used to be a generic and bare-bones offering. It now has
enhanced message search functionality, virus and spam protection,
more ways to manage inbox messages, such as a new folder for drafts
and sent-mail confirmation. However, inbox storage, at only
6Mbytes, is low compared with other providers.
AOL subsidiary ICQ is partnering with Mail2World to provide
these webmail services.
More details about ICQ's webmail services are available at
http://www.icq.com.
Juan Carlos Perez writes for IDG News Service