AOL UK has stopped developing AOL 5.0 for Mac OS X, despite previous assurances from the company of its support for the new operating system, Macworld UK reports.
AOL released a beta version of AOL 5.0 earlier this year, but this has hit developmental problems, calling the project into question. In a recent email sent to UK beta testers, the company revealed it had ceased development of its browser for Mac OS X, according to Macworld UK.
“It’s not possible for us to justify the considerable investment required to create a new localized version of our browser for a niche market platform such as OS X,” AOL UK’s chief communications officer, Matt Peacock, said. “I must stress that we still support the Mac. Existing AOL clients will be supported indefinitely on Mac operating systems already supported by us. The problem we have is the lack of an installed base at this time. This decision is not set in stone. We will evaluate the development of the Mac OS X market closely and as the user base grows, we may choose to develop for it once again.”
In North America, AOL has also promised a Mac OS X version of its browser. America Online is “definitely planning” a Mac OS X version of its software, an AOL spokesperson told MacCentral earlier this year.
“A version of the AOL software that is compatible with Mac OS X is currently in development and is expected to be available later this year,” said Kristie Cunningham of America Online’s communications group.