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The Symbian OS is designed for the new generation of smart phones, and is used in products including Sony Ericsson's P800 and Nokia's 9210 Communicator range. By joining Symbian's Platinum Program, AOL will have access to Symbian OS source code, enabling it to develop smart phone versions of both its instant messaging services, AIM and ICQ, and its predictive text software, T9 Text Input.

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AIM and ICQ mobile products allow wireless subscribers to access their list of contacts on their phone, see who is online and available to chat at any given moment, search for new or old friends and send and receive messages. T9 Text Input software is designed to make it quick and easy to enter text and characters into phones.

'By becoming a Symbian Platinum Partner, we can more easily and effectively deploy a broad range of media and entertainment content to Symbian licensees who manufacture over 75 per cent of the world's mobile phones sold today,' said Bill Schwebel, VP and general manager of AOL Mobile. 'In addition, we are excited at the opportunity to provide greater wireless access to AIM and ICQ via this partnership, creating even greater opportunities for our users to take their instant messaging experience mobile.'

Phone manufacturers who have licensed the Symbian OS, in addition to Nokia and Sony Ericsson, include Motorola, Samsung and Siemens.