AOL Remembers Mac Exists; Mac Doesn’t Return Favor Yet

AOL Remembers Mac Exists; Mac Doesn’t Return Favor Yet: "

Remember America Online? Yellow guy, blue triangle? ‘You’ve Got Mail!’ No? Trust me, it was huge once — the dominant way a lot of Internet newbies first reached out across cyberspace. And after five years (yes, five years), AOL has finally rolled out a new beta for its main line AOL Desktop for Mac software.

After all this time, the actual upgrade’s features aren’t terribly thrilling (particularly for anyone who, you know, just uses a web browser for all of this stuff). There’s definitely still a market for an integrated Internet app that gets the basics — mail, chat and browsing — down well, and I’m always fascinated to see if AOL can ever start to gain back the kind of position it once held.

Here’s what’s in store, other than being ‘Leopard-ready’:

Fast LoadTime: AOL® Desktop for Mac launcheswithinseconds and enables users to begin browsing immediately, without signing in to the software.

TabbedNavigation: Tabbed browser and AIM® windows offer easy access tocontent, and an uncluttered, organized view of all open windows.

Additional Email Options: A streamlined AOL Mail experience allows users to send and receive messages using multiple email accounts, includingApple Mac addresses, Gmail, Verizon and more from oneInbox.

AIM Integration: AIM is built in to the software, so users can view Buddies online, chat, and more while checking their email or browsing the Web.

Customizable Toolbar: An easy-to-use customizable toolbargivesusers quick accessto their favoritesites.

Yep, it’s only several years behind the cutting edge in browsing. Oh, and you can finally use other e-mail protocols. What a time to be alive. Anyone using the beta? What’s that all about?

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(Via Cult of Mac.)