CAN 32 MILLION AOL SUBSCRIBERS BE WRONG?

America Online, Inc. announced its worldwide membership has surpassed 32 million. That's a heckuva lot of instant messages.

Spurring the membership growth is AOL's newest 7.0 version, launched last month. Members have already downloaded it more than 7 million times, marking the fastest adoption rate of any new version.

AOL 7.0, which integrates local programming into every part of the service, including high-speed audio and video content, has introduced popular music and entertainment services such as Radio@AOL.

The new service has contributed to the average AOL member spending nearly 70 minutes online daily and increasing their online spending 80% last month over the same period last year, to $2.7 billion.

AOL Chairman/CEO Barry Schuler said the company's pleased with its membership growth and the increased daily service usage. "It underscores the unmatched value that AOL delivers. And Bill Gates can kiss my mouse."