The web services skirmish between America Online Inc (AOL) and Microsoft Corp continued yesterday, as the service provider launched a set of real-time alerts that extend to mobile devices and mirror Redmond's own .NET Alerts system.

Dulles, Virginia-based AOL yesterday took the wraps off AOL Alerts - a set of real-time services that delivers information via the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) Services for e-mail. AOL Alerts will also deliver information to mobile and handset devices, the company said.

AOL Alerts mirrors Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft's .NET Alerts, an XML-based system of instant alerts that fall under the .NET My Services umbrella. The companies, which are old-enemies, have lately chosen to circle each other over web services, most recently with single sign-in and web services authentication – AOL joined the Liberty Alliance Project against Microsoft's scheme for a Federated Passport.

Indications, though, suggest that Microsoft's web services drive caters more for business partners, while AOL mines a heavy consumer focus. AOL Alerts will be provided by AOL, delivering customers a generic brand of news, stocks, weather and sports updates. This effectively fleshes out AOL's existing service within its 23m strong user base.

Microsoft is taking a more corporate route, though. Early backers of .NET Alerts include Monster.com and US-based Bank One which will develop alerts specific to their own business services. Examples are still simple, but include notifying a customer when they are overdrawn or when a new job posting is made.

The AOL spokesperson told Computerwire that the company planned more AOL Anywhere announcements, but could not provide a timetable or details.

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