AOL Updates: Standalone Browser, Search, VoIP

Eric writes "In the face of increasing pressure from the likes of Google and MSN, America Online has opened beta testing for its standalone AOL Browser and Desktop Search to anyone with an AOL or AIM screen name. The AOL Browser beta utilizes Microsoft's Internet Explorer engine (not Firefox's, like Netscape) and integrates the company's Desktop Search client. Unlike Netscape it looks decent from the screenshots and also includes some nifty features like tear-off tabs and zooming." And prostoalex writes "In what could be the biggest VOIP push into US households, AOL will start offering VOIP services, as reported by Light Reading. 28% of online Americans subscribe to dial-up or broadband version of AOL, AOL has 4 million broadband users, and beta testers in the Light Reading article seemed to be pretty happy with the service."

Comments

Blecchhh!

[Stanistani]

The unholy combination of IE and AOL made pretty? ...it always puzzled me why they bought Netscape and never made it their browser...

Re:Blecchhh!

[Eberlin]

It was primarily used as a pawn to negotiate with MS. You know, that whole monopoly thing, a neat little settlement, and probably a nice bargaining chip to keep those "Subscribe to AOL" icons on default windows desktop installations.

When all that was done, they chopped off the Mozilla people and spun them off with their own mozilla foundation with a mil or two (?) to get started.

Then they bastardized the Netscape brand to sell cheaper Internet access under the guise of a different name, hoping to capitalize on name recognition.

It would've been great, though -- a giant chunk of "Netizens" (granted, most AOLers deserve their label) switching to Firefox all at once because AOL defaults to it would have been nice.

Oh well.

Beta testing for AOL

[Kipsaysso]

An unstable release of what will be an unstable browser.

Internet Explorer... because we don't own it ... ?

[popo]

Someone please remind me why AOL bought Netscape again?

Does it strike anyone else as odd that AOL does almost everything they possibly can to *not* add market value to one of their best known brands?

You'd think with the amount of cash AOL has on hand, and with the entire marketplace suddenly beginning to question whether or not IE is worth the trouble... they'd slap some of the dust of Netscape and breathe some life into it. No?

Re:Based on Internet Explorer

[Greenisus]

I don't think that's the case. It sounds to me like AOL can just dangle Netscape in front of Microsoft's eyes to get them to play nice.

Who paid?

[Elektroschock]

As far as I know AOL owned Netscape and funded Mozilla development. Then MS paid them large amounts of money that they continue to support their IE Engine. It was a multimillion deal. A real payoff for open source investment that secures independence. As some economists told us monopolies are not that bad as long as there is the option of antoher player to enter the market and take it over. It is really funny to see MS paying for IE usage.

Re:Internet Explorer... because we don't own it ..

[bill_mcgonigle]

Someone please remind me why AOL bought Netscape again?

For leverage against Microsoft.

They don't want to fight the IE-only sites with either development resources or educational resources.

For thoes who didnt RTFA

[cybersavior]

I found it interesting that on the screenshot, 3 or the 4 artilces shown were pro-MS.

The first, "Gates Promises Interoperable Software" which shows how MS will start writing software that work on other OSes.

The second, talks about how MS is starting a new offensive on piracy, pushing its Genuine Advantage program. If you have a valid MS License, you can get rebates and other perks.

The third, "Spoofing flaw found in non-IE browsers" Pretty much speaks for itself.

Interesting, no? We've always known or suspected AOL and MS were bed-partners but its not likely that they did that without first consulting MS. Could the new battleground be MS/AOL vs Linux/Netscape (assuming Netscape doesnt fux0r everything again).

They're also icing non-AIM clients...

[Evro]

I've had 3 screennames banned from AIM in the past 2 weeks due to using a non-AOL client (I've been using naim, a command-line aim client). One of the banned screennames had been mine since 1997. The page they direct you to - www.aim.com/suspended_accout - results in a 404 for me.

Received: by 10.54.59.6 with SMTP id h6mr97856wra;
Mon, 07 Feb 2005 13:03:03 -0800 (PST)
Return-Path: <newman@newman.newman-grt.oscar.aol.com>
From: AOL Instant Messenger <newman@newman.newman-grt.oscar.aol.com>
To:
Sub ject: AIM Account suspended!
Mime-Version: 1.0
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2005 13:03:03 -0800 (PST)

AIM User

We have detected that the AIM Screen Name sixtyfourcubits associated with
this email address has been used in a way that violates the terms and
conditions of the AOL Instant Messenger service. Because of these
violations, AOL has suspended the use of this screen name. If you
believe that this suspension has occurred in error, please fill out the
form located at www.aim.com/suspended_accout. By providing accurate
information, you will enable us to properly investigate the situation.

Sincerely,
The AOL Instant Messenger Team*

* Please note this e-mail is not a commercial e-mail and is intended
only to provide official notice about an AOL Instant Messenger account
identified with this e-mail address.

Re:They're also icing non-AIM clients...

[Anonymous Coward]

That's really scary, although I might point out that you don't know for sure that that's why they closed your account.

My primary screen name was apparently banned once; I'd used it for many years and was quite fond of it. I didn't get an e-mail, but rather a message on login. Of the possible causes listed, it stated that using a screen name that was formerly part of an AOL account after said account was closed (which described my screen name) was a violation of the TOS.

Thankfully, the account was working again after a few days... might have been a fluke, I dunno. It makes me sick that I'm so attached to something under the control of a horrible entity like AOL, but I really feel that the name is part of my identity. If I lost it for good I'd be very upset.

Then again, if I had to go back to their barf-worthy official client in order to keep my screen name... I'm just not sure I could do it.

Fuck AOL and their bumbling attempts to further their bottomline while pissing off users. One day the world will realise they're useless and they'll be out of business; I can only hope their IM service will live on at someone else's hands. Either that or all the people I know will be using something else so I won't have to worry about it anymore.

AC because I'm paranoid.

Screw the coasters

[oddfox]

I want AOL to start distributing their software/etc. in those AOL tins that they used to use, least 'round here. Very handy for keeping certain things in. :)

Here's the tin if you don't know what it looks like. But I don't use it for a survival kit, or at least that's not what I would call it's primary function. Come to think of it, nuking some of those AOL CDs could prove fun on those rainy days.

Re:Based on Internet Explorer

[psydragn]

The last time Netscape was dangled in front of Microsoft, they poured buckets of money into IE and subsequently crushed Netscape. I'd guess Bill would try the same again rather than bothering to play nice. Also, comparing the two companies' chequebooks, microsoft has a lot more buckets of money to throw at things.

And meanwhile AOL refuses email

[vacuum_tuber]

And "In the face of increasing pressure from the likes of Google and MSN, America Online" has, just in the last couple of days, begun refusing email from mail servers that don't have matching reverse DNS entries, thus cutting off its subscribers from the growing number of small and medium businesses using fixed IP cable or DSL Internet service. It's nice to have matching reverse DNS and it's fastidious in an Internet purist sense, but it's in no way necessary. I host thirteen domains on fixed IP cable Internet and am instituting an SMTP block that will bounce email from the aol.com domain with a message advising senders that due to new AOL policies we cannot reply or send them email, so we recommend they drop AOL and get a real ISP. AOL is its own punishment and it's fitting that they are constricting the world in which their clueless subscribers can operate. AOL deserves to go bust and have its assets sold on eBay.