RSSWill 'Streamliner' Usher In a Free AOL?
By Nate Mook | Published July 27, 2006, 7:51 PM
If the speculation is correct, AOL is on the verge of finally letting go of its subscriber revenues and embracing the openness of the Internet by offering its services free to all users. To aid this strategic shift, the company is developing a new software client it has code-named "Streamliner."
During its heyday as the world's largest Internet service provider counting close to 40 million users, AOL released new versions of its software for members like clockwork, ratcheting up the version number and appending new features each year.
But as its dial-up business fades away, AOL has remained unsure of how it can reach consumers on the open Web. In addition, a painful merger with Time Warner and a slew of accounting problems that saw the departure of a number of high-ranking executives left a cloud over AOL's future. Shareholders even called for a sale of the struggling ISP.
The result has been a failure by AOL to answer a key question and commit to transitioning its business to advertising: Should the company abandon its software altogether and take a browser-based approach like Google and Microsoft, or keep an all-in-one client that leverages AOL's existing technology?
Such indecisiveness has simply stagnated improvements to the company's core software and further exacerbated the growing tide of customer defections. The last major AOL Client upgrade, version 9.0, came in July 2003, with a minor update bolstering security in November 2004. However, that isn't to say AOL has been resting on its laurels.
Over the last three years, AOL has embarked on a number of ambitious projects to keep users under the company's umbrella of services even as they migrate off dial-up onto cable and DSL broadband. AOL Communicator was the first fruits of this labor, arriving in August 2003 after two and a half years in development.
AOL Communicator combined an e-mail client, address book and instant messaging functionality into a unified suite. It was marketed as an alternative for more advanced AOL members who were heavy users of AIM and e-mail. But despite early hype, the product quickly fell by the wayside.
Communicator was set to be replaced by "Fanfare," which surfaced in 2004 and added AOL Media Player, Spyware Protection and AOL Calendar into the Communicator code base. Fanfare was eventually scrapped as well, but AOL continued its efforts to build an attractive package for broadband users, an initiative it called "Copland."
During this time, AOL was also busy tearing down its walled garden on the Web, turning AOL.com into an actual content destination for the masses and rolling out a number of services targeted at general consumers, from video to webmail. Netscape.com was even recently relaunched as a next-generation social news site à la Digg.
Last year saw the beta release of AOL Suite, which combined AOL Explorer, Mail and AIM Triton with a navigation bar that provided instant access to AOL services such as travel and keywords. The company had high hopes for AOL Suite, touting it as next-generation software for subscribers. However, like its predecessors, development on AOL Suite halted in March.
AOL's original plan was to compete with Google and Microsoft on the open Web while also doing its best to retain a customer base that had become increasingly computer literate. AOL Suite was intended to help the latter, joined by deals with broadband cable and DSL providers to bundle AOL service with connectivity.
Now, it seems AOL has all but given up on its monthly fees, and "Streamliner" could serve to ease the transition without entirely abandoning the company's software roots.
Streamliner builds upon the feedback and research from AOL Suite and Fanfare, even utilizing the same application code, but takes on a new user interface. The software is split into four quadrants: AOL Mail, AIM instant messaging, the AOL Explorer browser, and a media center. Each can be shifted around and maximized within the application's Window.
The version of AOL Mail in Streamliner supports not only the company's own inboxes, but also accounts from other providers. The media center links up to the e-mail and IM applications, offering a single place to view digital pictures, video and music. Additional features are also in the works, such as integration with AOL's upcoming Total Care PC protection solution.
The big difference between Streamliner and AOL Suite, however, is that AOL plans to make the product available to a wide audience -- not just subscribers. Beta 1 of Streamliner is currently available only to AOL members running Windows XP with a broadband connection, but testing will be expanded as it progresses. No sign-in is required to use the software.
Still, it's unclear at this point whether Streamliner will, in fact, play a central role in a new AOL, or prove to be yet another example of the company simply dipping its proverbial toes into the open waters of the Internet.
Prodigy= Dead
CompuServe= Dead
AOL= Life support but recovering
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|Really bad news for AOL management = Can't even give AOL away.
That said, I continue to be amazed by the number of so-called "computer users" out there who honestly and cluelessly still think "The Internet" begins and ends with nothing but AOL. Not a small number of them have never even ventured beyond AOL's content and out to the real internet. Or, they've heard of really awful beasties waiting either to eat them and/or their children on the "real internet."
And yes, I'm very serious about that assessment. I service at least two-three of those so-called PC-users a week. (Invariably, their machines are spyware-filled.) They almost invariably tend to either be older -- 55 y/o and above -- or have younger children who wish to play or do homework online.
However, AOL now seems more than willing to now abandon those [small] niche markets, leaving plenty of room for someone else to come along and snap either one or both of them up. It will not be the high-dollar revenue stream seen by AOL, but it will still be a nice revenue stream.
That said, AOL has backed itself up against a wall. "Real" computer and internet users won't go near anything with AOL written on it. Conversely, die-hard AOL users know nothing else -- and as a rule, do not wish to know anything else.
Solution: Repackage and rebrand AOL as a safe destination for children and/or a destination for grandmothers, grandfathers, and other octogenarians -- until honest-to-goodness PC-using baby boomers come along and mandate yet another overhaul.
Prodigy = Dead
CompuServe = Dead
AOL = Life support?
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|Not a small number of them have never even ventured beyond AOL's content and out to the real internet.
Do we *want* them out here?
Seriously. That's not rhetorical.
AOL unleashed their clueless hordes upon the USENET back in the early 90's. Damn near killed it. It has yet to fully recover, likely never will.
Since that time, I will admit, the use of the net has grown and the USENET would likely have fallen into this condition regardless by now, but AOL pulled the trigger a few years earlier than it need have been.
Anyone think I'm full of it?
Check it: Eternal September (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September)
Above and beyond their past hideous customer service, software quality and their general inability to graduate their users to the 'real' internet armed with any common sense or basic internet knowledge, the above is the No.1 reason why I will forever despise AOL.
Post '93, any discussion carried on the USENET had to be either heavily moderated (A huge undertaking on any popular group), or limited to a virtually closed USENET service (thus negating it's entire purpose).
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|And another one bites the dust! Who's next?
Sony would be nice.
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|I wouldnt even join AOL if they paid me...
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|User rating from Fileforum:
1.4 / 5 (as of 7-30)
That about covers it.
People complained that the Vista beta was supposedly 'Alpha' quality... considering that most Vista functions actually worked (albeit slowly) this Beta 1 looks more like a Pre-Alpha.
Should have kept it in closed testing a bit longer. This is going to do nothing but turn folks off to it...regardless of its potential.
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|There are too many haters here on Betanews/Fileforum.
If you want a real rating I suggest you use Softpedia. They have better ratings, let alone a higher rating count per download count ratio.
3/43 = ~7.0% (Softpedia posted the download 1 day later than BN/FF)
16/343 = ~4.66%
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|Never said BN ratings were perfect. But a 1.4 by any definition does not great software make.
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|SP has a 3.5 rating...
Not wonderful...but a bit more accurate.
I really dont think that this software is deserving of anything less than (in the voice of Adam Sessler) "...a 3 out of 5".
#1) Its meant for AOL Users only. Beta.Aol.Com says you need an AOL Account. So the fact that this is public indicates that the wrong market of users is using this software.
#2) The majority of the program is directed towards AOL Users. Not only is the mail component AIM/AOL Mail, but you need an AOL account to use the AOL Safety & Security Center software.
#3) Its built well.
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|"Should have kept it in closed testing a bit longer. This is going to do nothing but turn folks off to it...regardless of its potential."
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Quite the contrary, as most, if not all AOL testers testing this like testing this beta version. Bugs? Sure, but we expect those when we test something new. This has much potential. Playing around with this program shows the potential it has. Lots of cool features here as well. This is beta and beta testers test beta software. I'll give this a 4 for right now.
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|lol......
I question wether or not you understand what "hate" actually means.
The only real rating that is of any real concern is indicated in the dwendling numbers of AOL users. You people want to talk about ratings...
Just take a good look around you and you will see. Why would I be concerned at all about any rating system other than wether or not people are using/paying for something?
or would it be better to allow someone else to dictate to me what I like? or what's best for me?
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|AOL made millions off of dial-up, but it's time has come. Just as the horse and buggy was bumped off by the automobile, so goes AOL. Anybody remember PeoplePC?
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|The vast majority of AOL users tend to know/understand very little (if anything) about computers and the way the internet works. Too many people think that AOL "IS" the internet. If you like AOL....so be it. There is absolutely nothing about AOL that makes it worth while. Even the so-called parental controls are a joke. If a person would actually learn something about computers, all AOL's parental controls could be had without any of it's software. The thing that really gets me is that the use of AOL means running additional software that simply isn't needed or required. This helps to slow down the machine, not to mention the push for continued ignorance.
With this transition AOL is going through, it truly will become pure adware/spyware. This only reduces it worth even more. AOL has proven too many times that it can't be trusted and produces software that is problematic at best and harmfull at worst. This is exactly why AOL struggles more and more each day. The funny thing about it is that the heads of AOL either doesn't see it or just doesn't care. I personally don't understand why anyone would consider these things completely acceptable.
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|I guess they finally got sick of sending all these well packaged coasters to everyones house over the years. Free or not, AOL sucks and anyone using it is labeled a newbie even if they arent one.
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|"Free or not, AOL sucks and anyone using it is labeled a newbie even if they arent one."
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Saying anything "sucks" is pretty lame. I trust that comment about as much as I trust the used care salesman saying, "Trust me." I am by no means a "newbie" to AOL or to computers. I am by no means an "expert" but I know my way around. Many AOL members are like me and we don't mind the label many of you who appear to have a chip on their shoulder, label us with. AOL gets a 5 from me and Streamliner gets a 4 for right now.
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|If they can get users to embrace the software they may have a money maker. By using technology similiar to what Google has to analyze users email, IM and web searches to place advertising. They actually have a advertising relationship with Google and I recall Microsoft was interested in working out a deal with them. I'm going to try the software and if it looks promising I may purchase the stock.
I'm currently using AOL for the email addresses which I've had for many years and the protection it offers me when my kids are online.
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|If you actually following the deal between AOL and Google, it's actually more of a pro-Google deal instead of pro AOL-Google deal. I don't remember the exact detail now, but it's pro-Google.
As for it's stock, I think your money is better off at somewhere else instead of TWX. The stock goes nowhere in the past 2 to 3 years.
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|I downloaded the program and expected more. I currently use AOL just for email and have been doing so for several years. I will use the new program and not American Online to access my mail. I have gmail which is free but prefer AOL email.
As for the deal, I beleive both companies benefited but not equally. I mentioned Google just to emphasize that advertising can generate money as it has for them.
I concur that TWX stock has gone nowhere, but that can change quickly with the right software and leadership. The past performance of a company/stock does not stop me from openning a position in it if I feel they have something new to bring to the table in which case I am willing to wait years for a happy return.
Thanx for your insight.
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|After what I have been reading about the illegal practices of AOL, there is no way I would be involved with them, free or not. Simply put, from what I have read, they cannot be trusted...
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|WHY do AOL keep foisting software on us? Their idea to offer their services free is great (I'm an AOL subscriber and happy with the connection), but it's their CRAP software (of any type) that consumers think of when they think AOL. Just make a portal webpage of their content that people can opt to set as their homepage and customise how they please (as Google's home page does, for instance)
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|"but it's their CRAP software (of any type) "WHY do AOL keep foisting software on us?""
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You have a choice. Go to Keyword: Tell Us. Besides, what is CRAP to you may not be to others.
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|AOL is trying to reinvent itself which is a good thing. But will it work? Is it to little to late? For years they were trying to rip off people by charging them to much for dialup, then when broadband came along people had to pay double to use their service with it. Their software is resourse hungry.
Here is how I would do it if I were AOL. I would use the AOL browser with a built in toolbar. If you have existing AOL names (I know someone who has 4), there would be a pull down menu with all names, and you would type in your password. This would take you to mail and your favorites, and open up an online messanger if you like or open up your AIM. Through the web you can also enter their chat and games. If your not a member you can still use certain functions like search and such. Also you can make your free account and get full use. The toolbar would have your favorites, and most things that people use within AOL's program. They could write their mail like Yahoo and MS did and make it look just like AOL mail but with in the browser. Take out all the bloat, only use what you want to use, everything is available via web base so the main thing your downloading is the browser and AIM (if you like). If you don't want to use AIM you don't have to download it. If you don't want to use AOL's browser then you can get the AOL toolbar for IE or Firfox and use those browsers.
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|So I expected crap from AOL and Streamliner didnt deliver. If you like having the "big 4" of Email, IM, Broswer, and media center available and open all the time - then you'll like it.
The first time I ran it, it was slow but after the first installation things picked up and I can now see its reason for being. I found myself using the little resizing thingy a lot and its kinda cool. The browser works as any browser should and when its maximized I cant really tell the difference between it and ie. Mail is super fast once loaded - sometimes the pane managment was , well, a pain. Overall I like it so far. It aint crap.
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|Interesting assessment. I *may* give it a try on a system I'm about to format soon, just to see if this would be good for users looking for an all-in-one.
The browser works as any browser should and when its maximized I cant really tell the difference between it and ie.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't AOL's browser always been a wrapper around IE with shinier buttons?
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|They've switched back and forth several times through the years between netscape, IE, mozilla, etc....
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|Yep, AOL Browser, now AOL Explorer has always been IE-based. The browser within the AOL client was IE, temporarily tested with Gecko, now it's still IE.
AOL's Netscape Browser (built on the Firefox platform) uses both IE and the Gecko engines, but Gecko by default.
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|Far as I know those that are in the BYOA known as Bring your own Access or AOL Broadband plans will go into FREE MODE instead of paying monthly. But it's unclear what will happen to those in the member agreement for a year term with bundled highspeed?
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|So I expected crap from AOL and Streamliner didnt deliver. If you like having the "big 4" of Email, IM, Broswer, and media center available and open all the time - then you'll like it.
The first time I ran it, it was slow but after the first installation things picked up and I can now see its reason for being. I found myself using the little resizing thingy a lot and its kinda cool. The browser works as any browser should and when its maximized I cant really tell the difference between it and ie. Mail is super fast once loaded - sometimes the pane managment was , well, a pain. Overall I like it so far. It aint crap.
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|AOL... it's always one of the FIRST THINGS Deleted. Garbage, Garbage, Garbage!
Brand new computers... and you have to remove this Garbage from them... sick.
Or you pop into someones home and they ask you to have a look at their machine... and there it is AOL and they have no idea how it got their... almost virus like activity... WOW.
It's garbage that needs to be tossed.
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|lol.
I'm with you 100%
First thing I do when I get a computer from any major OEM is rebuild the OS with a stock XP disk.
ESPECIALLY if it's a Dell.
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|AOL... it's always one of the FIRST THINGS Deleted. Garbage, Garbage, Garbage!
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Pretend you're a college senior and write a cogent and reasoned discussion as to why. You might as well be spitting in to the wind with what you've written so far.
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|I believe the point he was making was that it's like a virus. It's EVERYWHERE and people have no idea where it came from most of the time.
I hate how AOL's shortcut's get sprinkled all over the system by default with OEM systems and when installing SO many different programs. It really is aggressive Adware when you think about it.
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|It's about time Aol amended its fees. I use Aol with my own broadband, for which I pay £6.99 per month. Clearly out of line now with the "free" Isp's offering full broadband at prices around £10 - £15 per month.
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|'but AOL continued its efforts to build an attractive package for broadband users, an initiative it called "Copland."'
You're joking... they called it Copland.
All Copland named things are doomed à la
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copland
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|treworld it's a beta. Simmer down pumpkin.
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|I thought that AIM Triton was their worst product yet, but I was dead wrong. The Streamliner is absolutely the worst so far. It's very difficult to use. I could not close any child-windows in the program. I cannot minimize them either. During the first launch of the program, my computer froze!
AOL needs to stop trying and sell the company to Microsoft.
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|why in the world does MSFT want a garbage such as AOL?
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|Two words.
Existing Clients.
After the Transition to MS interface / webmail MS will have legions of lemming users that are so fearful of change that they will be customers for life.
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|I could not close any child-windows in the program.
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You have (if you are a beta tester for AOL)a toll free number to call for technical support. If you're not part of beta you don't have a squak. Sorry.
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|I tested this and was generally upset over it. Aol suite was so much better, this thing is like clunky and odd and gives me so much stuff I don't want. Who came up with the great idea that all 4 windows must be partially open. :[
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|Anyone know where I can download this where I don't need an AOL screen name??
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|It just doesnt matter what they do, or even if they do it well. Nobody wanted to pay for AOL in the first place. It was a bloated pile of junk. Even if it worked to perfection, the fact is people dont want such a portal. It there taking up resources even if you never use it. And it does nothing that the web can't do ten times better. Broadband ushered in AOL's demise. It's only a matter of time b4 AOL ends up being just another web portal like yahoo or maybe google if it's lucky.
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|Big, Big, Big piece of software. Certainly a nice concept, but my laptop is now really sluggish. AOL challenge: making this mega piece of software run faster for the masses (no small feat). Best of luck - at least it is aspirational.
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|Not bad. It generally puts together all the things I do on a PC in one window. That could possibly save a lot of time and space. The only reason why I'd never use it is because AOL will tie the service into the AOL services that I don't use..aka limit user freedom.
I'm waiting to see if they make their security suite free in the future.
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|I will be the first to say that AOL has been taking alot of hard blows lately. But some of those blows are not without meaning. However, I am an AOL user and have been for quite sometime. I love all the content that the AOL company offers. But of course I would love for AOL to release this software "Streamline" without all the bloat of its former software. That is wear AOL goes wrong. They should offer the ability to install just those services that they wish to use. But the most important thing of all is this...AOL you must move from using the Internet Explorer based browser to using the FireFox based browser. It is much faster, and can be modified to the users liking.
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|Hmm the UI reminds me of a Visual Studio type thing with panes and tabs and such... there are free implementations of that type of thing, leaving me to wonder if someone would one day make a browser suite that uses it...
And I mean a non-AOL one, something more generic.
Considering the high customization-ability of such an environment, that would be an interesting thing to try...
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|Oddly enough, as much as I dislike AOL, I think they actually have a good idea with this. I never thought I'd be saying that but the UI to me is very well though out and has a good layout. I may would even be dare I say tempted to try it out.
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|LOL, don't follow betanews doctored up screenshot. The UI you get when you use it, is almost the same, but its less shiny and less pretty. When you move the windows around, it refreshes like crazy. Imagine all 4 windows flickering at once.
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