AOL announced today the release of the first free, web-based e-mail service with full AIM integration into beta, which lets users simultaneously e-mail and IM from the same application using the most popular instant messaging service in the U.S. AOL has also launched the new AIM WIMZI Widget, allowing bloggers, website owners and consumers with social networking profiles to instant message easily and anonymously with site visitors.

The new AOL Mail beta is part of a series of improvements designed to make the service more accessible, convenient and even easier to use. AOL also announced that, in addition to IMAP support, it now also offers POP3 access, which lets users access their AOL Mail using any Internet mail client program. AOL is now the only major provider to offer free POP3 and IMAP access to email. AOL Mail also includes unlimited e-mail storage, which the service has offered since 2005, and is now extending to its aim.com and “My eAddress” users.

The new AIM WIMZI widget communicates with the widget owner’s AIM client and is directly integrated with the owner’s AIM Buddy List feature, enabling site, blog and social networking profile visitors to initiate an IM conversation when the owner is signed on to AIM. A widget owner’s online presence status is indicated with a highlighted icon and screen names and identities are protected through customized owner and visitor aliases.

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