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AOL Plans A Standalone Browser

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the tabulation-nation dept.

Patik writes "America Online is creating its own standalone browser, aimed at employees who cannot install AOL software at their workstations. The browser will be based on Internet Explorer but will include other features such as tabbed browsing that displays a thumbnail of the page as you pass your cursor over it. The browser will also integrate AOL's media player and will be able to access AOL-only content."

3 of 292 comments (clear)

  1. I don't get it... by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Would somebody please explain how AOL thinks users who can't install the full AOL client on their workstations thanks to sysadmin-imposed policies will be able to get the AOL Browser installed? Whatever policy stands against the AOL client will most likely shoot down this AOL Browser too. PHBs don't want people playing on the Internet during company time, and people are going to be hard pressed to show a business-reason to be accessing the AOL-exclusive entertainment content on company time and resources.

    This seems like at face value a project that won't reach its target audience and therefore is doomed to failure.

    1. Re:I don't get it... by JPriest · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I bet they will still place something in startup. This seems to be the theme with almost any popular windows sofrware. Windows seems to be a constant battle of everyone vs Microsoft for as much user attention as possibe.

      PS. To set this post as your homepage click here (j/k)

      --
      Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
    2. Re:I don't get it... by Curtman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      after all, the standard client isn't engineered for that sort of environment, is it?

      But Netscape is, and they already own that. So now they're building a browser based on IE, and a media player independent of Winamp. What is wrong with these people?