If AOL is out to reach a really broad market, my guess is this is about a new Internet appliance in the home that would connect to your TV, that this has more to do with a set-top box and less to do with computers,
If AOL isn't at the table and an active participant in a bunch of people making standards -- that in many ways don't matter.
AOL says people want a managed online experience, and the way to do that is through Java. And for Sun this would be a tremendous opportunity because it would the first time they'll be getting Java into the home.
I think that to a large extent the reality of instant messaging is AOL and ICQ.
Microsoft wants to own the real estate even of the AOL members,