AOL Desktop 1.0 now shipping for Mac users
The long and sometimes rocky history of the America Online client for the Macintosh -- a saga stretching back to the original AppleLink Personal Edition service, with a detour through a place called eWorld -- has now moved on to a new generation with the 1.0 release of AOL Desktop for Mac last week. We noted the test version (Cheshire) and the beta last year. For users of the online service, the rebuilt-from-the-ground-up client is worth a look.
New features include a revised AIM client that includes some of the bells and whistles long familiar to Windows users (Expressions), a Webkit-based tabbed browser, and a revamped Mail tool that strongly resembles the existing AOL webmail interface. Users of the older client can transfer AOL Favorites and AOL Mail from their local datastore with ease. AOL/AIM is free for BYO-broadband users and charges a monthly fee for customers who use AOL as their internet service provider.
The new version of the client requires a G4 or Intel machine and Mac OS X 10.4.8 or higher. If you prefer the "classic" client you can still download it from AOL, but it may look kinda clunky next to the new version. More screenshots and details at the AOL Mac blog, and see the continuation of the post for a video preview of the client.
AOL is the parent company of Weblogs, Inc. and TUAW.
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Source: http://mac.aol.com/
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The long and sometimes rocky history of the America Online client for the Macintosh -- a saga stretching back to the original AppleLink...
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First, why rag on TUAW for just reporting the release of some software? They report on tons of pieces of junk software all the time.
Second, AOL is free, so no one really expects anyone to pay.
Third, do you really think the target for the client are TUAW users? Uhm, no. The software is easy and familiar to old school AOL users.
Fourth, you visit way more AOL sites in a given day than you think. It's a very diverse company who has it's hands in a lot of things, including a Mac Client.
Grow up readers.
Thank you! Finally an intelligent comment.
I'm no huge fan of AOL, but I have been impressed by some sites and initiatives they've launched recently. When will people realize the old "AOL sucks" line is as old as the 90's? All you're doing is parroting the same thing over and over again instead of trying to look at things with an open mind. You can still hate AOL if you want but have a reason for it. The AOL of today is not the AOL of the 90's.
Someone mentioned that AOL Webmail is one of the best out there. I'd have to agree. I don't use it, but it does offer unlimited storage, free IMAP, and many other useful features like integrated AIM. I know GMail offers these things too, but not everyone wants to use Google.
Lastly, AOL would have never developed this if there weren't still a lot of people out there using the AOL Mac client. Personally I think it would be great for people who just aren't very tech savvy.
Obviously TUAW readers are tech savvy, so this probably won't appeal to them.
I love it. So many people scarred by this shit. I can't believe AOL is still around. What do they do? "Hey! you know all that 'the whole world is at your fingertips' thing? Give us your money and we'll deliver .01% of it!"
May 15 2008 at 7:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAlthough I left AOL years and years ago, I downloaded this new client, for kicks.... And after trying it, I have 3 words for it:
HOR. RI. BLE.
I would rather get electrocuted buy an electric fence. ... Twice
May 15 2008 at 6:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyyou guys are usually so awesome.. we'll let it go because we know AOL signs your paychecks.. but know that AOLs internet app is the most horrible app known to man.
May 15 2008 at 6:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIs this some kind of warped joke?
May 15 2008 at 6:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAs long as they don't send me CDs in the mail.
May 15 2008 at 5:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyand the crap goes on....
May 15 2008 at 4:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyand who in their right mind still uses 'Assholes on line' as it is affectionately known!
May 15 2008 at 4:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThis reminds me of my list-
10 things you will never see on my Mac
1. AOL (ANYTHING)
2. Real Player...Real Anything
3. Symantec Anything
4. McAfee Anything
5. Any Packaged printer software other than the driver
6. Any Search engine tool bar (ie. Yahoo, Google, MSN)
7. Windows Media Player
8. Any Memory "Booster" software
9. Internet Exploder
10. Windows Vista
Sounds sort of narrow-minded and inflexible.
May 16 2008 at 5:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDan you been eatin' retard sandwiches again?
May 16 2008 at 11:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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