Rumors had been circulating that AOL, who owns Engadget and Webblogs Inc were about to purchase Michael Arrington’s TechCrunch, and it now looks like those rumors were true as AOL has just announced that they have purchased TechCrunch.

AOL has also purchased all other sites in the TechCrunch network, which includes MobileCrunch and Crunch Gear. No details on the purchase price have been announced yet, but Business Insider is reporting that it was sold for $25 Million.

If you were around during the beginning of instant messaging, then you probably remember ICQ, which set the standard for instant messaging. AOL initially acquired Mirabilis, the Israeli-based company who came up with the program, back in 1996 for $407 million.

Now the company has decided to let it go for just $187.5 million to a Russian investment company, Digital Sky Technologies. I bet this brings back instant messaging memories for many of you.

AOL launched this morning a Flash-based Web version of its instant messaging AIM service. It is called AIM Express and you need not install any software to make it run.

AIM Express includes as features tabbed IM conversations, status message indicator, text messages to cell phones, rollovers of friend names to see status and compatibility with most popular browsers. The company also unveiled AIM for Windows Mobile, offering functions for phones like the Motorola Q, Samsung BlackJack and many Palm Treos such as status messages, buddy icons and text messaging. It works with devices using the Windows Mobile 5 and 6 operating systems.

AOL