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AOL for Mac OS X released

By Jim Dalrymple
Macworld DEC 10, 2001 4:00 pm PST

America Online Inc. today delivered the next version of the company’s service designed for Mac OS X.

AOL for Mac OS X includes a streamlined design; new e-mail features; the ability to play and embed sounds in an email and share them with other AOL Mac users; the ability to attach files by dragging and dropping them into the email attachment window; and ability to enter every e-mail address in a single box and change the delivery type for each address (to/cc/bcc) with a click.

Users can also have the text of instant messages (as well as chat and e-mail) and buttons under their cursor read aloud using built in speech synthesis. AOL has also added new localized content and new entertainment features.

“As part of our ongoing support of the Macintosh market, we are excited to launch the new version of our flagship AOL service,” said Peter Ashkin, President of Product Strategy for America Online. “America Online has a long and valued relationship with Apple and we wanted to provide compatibility with Apple’s next-generation operating system. On the heels of Apple’s recent launch of AirPort, which provides a way for AOL members to access the AOL service through a wireless LAN, we’ll continue to look for opportunities to extend the AOL experience to the Mac community by programming the AOL service in ways that enhance the Macintosh user’s experience.”

AOL for Mac OS X features include:

  • Online mailbox sorting that allows members to sort email messages by sender, subject, date or type;
  • New address book capabilities that allow members to access their contact information anytime, anywhere across various AOL products — along with separate address books for each Screen Name under the main account;
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer browser for Mac OS X, version 5.1 built into the new software;
  • The latest version of Flash player, which allows members to play enhanced multimedia experience online; and
  • The addition of a CSL (connection script) enables compatibility with Apple’s AirPort device for wireless LAN connections.

    • New content and programming features in AOL for Mac OS X include:

  • A new AOL Welcome screen that includes more promotional space, rotating graphics and double the amount of personalization with “My Places.”
  • Personally relevant local content delivered throughout the service from the new AOL Local Guide;
  • Access to AOL Box Office — offering one-stop access to tickets for events of every kind in more than 60 markets;
  • An upgraded version for the “You’ve Got Pictures” service allowing members to upload pictures from any digital camera or scanner for one-stop viewing, sharing, storing and printing, with free, unlimited photo storage space and a bundled pricing plan for both prints and online photos; and
  • A redesign of each of the 20 AOL channels.

    • AOL for Mac OS X is available as a free download from America Online’s Web site.