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AOL Tests New, Yahoo-Like Homepage

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

April 27, 2007, 1:22 PM

AOL on Thursday began a limited beta test of a new AOL.com portal, which streamlines the look and utilizes AJAX to make the page more snappy. However, initial reviews of the site point out it's almost a direct copy of Yahoo's latest homepage that went live last July.

Approximately 5 percent of users will see the beta. The new AOL.com is expected to be finalized this summer, so changes could appear in the interim. AOL says it's attempting to build a unified look and feel that will extend across all of its Web services in numerous countries, and brings the most important features front and center.

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By methuselah

posted Apr 28, 2007 - 1:28 PM

I've tested the beta homepage. It's awful. Looks very similar to the old AOL client opening screen. Very slow for someone users who want to do email but not use every AOL facet. In fact, I had to look to find where to read my email. I suspect it will keep people away from AOL.

Score: 0

By dinotorrid

posted Apr 28, 2007 - 7:57 PM

Right hand column, just like the last design. Same place as the last design. :)

Score: 0

By jgra

posted Apr 27, 2007 - 8:04 PM

You guys are hilarious, I bet this had something with Google trying to f!#$ over Yahoo, now that they have a stake in AOL.

Score: 0

By greenturtle

edited Apr 27, 2007 - 4:55 PM

AOL Canada has already launched the fully functional site yesterday, though I'm sure more functionalities will be added to it later on.

http://www.aol.ca

Score: 0

By dinotorrid

posted Apr 27, 2007 - 2:04 PM

It's good to see two sites which are actually easy to navigate. Kudos to Yahoo & AOL for doing what their customers want now.

Score: 0

By The Dave

posted Apr 27, 2007 - 4:31 PM

Hehe....you said Kudos. Welcome to 2007. We don't use that word anymore and haven't since the 1990's.

Score: 0

By Paradise-FH-

posted Apr 28, 2007 - 9:32 PM

if you're going to bash somebody at least do it for a good reason.

Score: 0

By ostrakon

posted Apr 27, 2007 - 7:00 PM

Hehe....you just bashed him for using the word Kudos. Welcome to 2007, where we generally accept what people say, instead of bashing them, like we did, you know, in the 1990's.

Score: 0

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