One day before Microsoft is set to release the latest version of its MSN Internet access software, rival America Online (AOL) said Wednesday that its new 8.0 software has set download records since it launched last week, setting the stage for an all-out battle between the two Internet service providers ( ISPs). AOL claims that AOL 8.0 has been downloaded over 5 million times since the software launched Oct. 15, surpassing the record set by AOL 7.0 last year, which was downloaded 2.5 million times in the first five days. That the Dulles, Virginia, ISP's announcement comes one day before Microsoft prepares to launch MSN 8 is of little surprise, however, given the mounting competition between the two companies.
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