Use AOL IM to pay

Revolution Money, a Web 2.0 interchange-free payment platform, has released a plug-in that enables people to use AOL's instant messaging service (AIM) to send and receive money to their "buddies".

The plug-in lets users of Revolution's online MoneyExchange platform send and request payments through the AIM Buddy List feature. AIM users with MoneyExchange accounts can instantly make online payments to other account holders for free.

David Liu, SVP, people networks, AOL, says: "By working with Revolution Money to enable AIM users to pay or pay back their buddies on AIM with just a few mouse clicks, we're making it easier for them to do more each day right from the AIM service."

Last year Californian m-payments outfit Obopay launched a plug-in for AIM which enables users to launch the P2P application and transfer funds to their buddies.