RSSAOL Updates Standalone Web Browser
By David Worthington | Published March 24, 2005, 6:52 PM
America Online has refreshed its AOL Browser beta with new navigation features, improved tabbed browsing and many other general improvements. AOL Browser fits into the company's emerging portal strategy, and serves as a strategic gateway to AOL Web properties for consumers outside of its subscriber base.
Unlike the forthcoming Netscape Browser that is based on Firefox, AOL Browser is built upon Microsoft's Internet Explorer engine. Since its overriding theme is simplicity, AOL has endeavored to form an interface that is more straightforward and convenient than other Web browsers.
The interface of AOL Browser borrows heavily from rivals with a pop-up blocker and tabbed browsing, but includes some characteristics of its own such as "tear-off tabs." Tear-off tabs are tabbed browsing windows that can be reordered or "torn" away from their original window.
AOL has also added thumbnail previews of Web pages that are enlarged when the cursor hovers over a tab or the Back and Forward buttons.
Simplicity aside, AOL has managed to work in "Power Browsing" features as well. These tools add privacy options that delete cookies and cached files left while browsing the Web, along with page zooming and high contrast viewing.
AOL is also using its new standalone browser to test its desktop search utility, which was built by Copernic. AOL Desktop Search scours local documents, and will eventually be expanded to include previously viewed Web pages and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) chat logs.
AOL Browser, once a closed beta for AOL members, is now open to the public for download.
AOL SUCKS.. why don't they just give up? Have you seen their newest commercials? They are literally trying to impress n00bie users (unexperienced computer users) with this garbage about virus blocking and other crap stuff you can get for free so that they can fool them in to joining with AOL so that AOL can bring in more money.. It makes me laugh at ways they try to get more people... It's garbage people.. HAHA. And if anyone from AOL is reading this.. You probably already knew you suck... but that doesn't matter if the n00bs are still giving you money.. I mean hey.. If it pays the bills.. you know what I mean AOL employees?
And oh yeah.. not just AOL.. but all of you internet browser developers.. STOP STEALING FROM EACH OTHER! You see IE's new info bar included with SP2? looks a little like the one that Firefox has had for quite a while before IE.. If you don't know what I mean.. It is the yellowish bar that pops up when a popup is blocked or install ActiveX controls..
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|A usual anything AOL tries to do equals bloated software. Look at their attempt with Netscape. Enuff said.
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|Any thing is better then Firefox.....
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|school1012 wrote:
"Any thing is better then Firefox....."
It appears this person must be living in a strange parellel universe.
In reality, most sane people would say, "Anything is better than IE."
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|Then? Try than. You need to go back to school.
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|Not really since firefox has cause several problems on some of my friends computer, more then IE ever could
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|What a waste of time and effort for both AOL and their customer base.
What are you going to get with a browser that's based on Micro$oft embedded technology but more security headaches, diminished system resources, and a waste of your time trying to completely uninstall it afterwards.
AOL has the resources to be innovators and leaders of the industry but instead continue to be locked into the same kind of bull-headed business model that's based solely on plastering ads on a user's computer screen.
If you want a comfortable and safe browsing experience - look elsewhere.
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|your choice
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