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DESCRIPTION
AOL Desktop for Mac... AOL is back for Mac. AOL is reaffirming its commitment to Mac users with the first beta release of a brand new, all-in-one web software, now available for download: AOL Desktop for Mac. The best part, this free new software was developed by Mac users, for Mac users, from the ground up. Your Mac makes your life easy. Make it even easier with the new AOL Desktop for Mac.
Highlights include:
- Speed: Installs in seconds and launches fast - so you can begin browsing immediately, without signing in.
- Tabbed Organization: Tabs on browser and IM give you easy access and an uncluttered, organized view for all of your windows.
- AIM Integration: AIM is built right in so you can see which buddies are online, chat and more.
- Customization: Highly customizable toolbar makes it easy to keep your favorites right at your fingertips with access to them on any Internet-connected computer.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 1.6b3:
Fixed:
- Embedded graphics in HTML e-mail issue has been fixed with the installation Safari 4.0.3. Safari 4.0.3 updated the underlying web rendering engine used by many Macintosh applications, including AOL Desktop for Mac 1.6.
- Added code to detect duplicate or corrupt messages in mail database. This should delete the corrupt message and fetch original from host.
- Changed mail reply to use standard email addresses rather than additional info supplied in message header.
- Fixed duplicate folders in mail database. Corrupt database will be replaced.
- Improved mail UI responsiveness.
- Added detect and reject code for corrupt mail database.
- Message deletes should be reflected in the UI immediately.
- Fixed issue which prevented inline images from being displayed.
- Improved performance of initial mail fetch with large inbox.
- Mail updates should now properly display subject and sender.
- Other changes might rectify mail activity spinner properly terminating.
- Mail in Read folder will be marked as read.
- Initial Sign in with any SN causes Crash.
- Tab focus on - Save attachment does not work as expected.
- Mails that are unread and saved in On AOL display "Msg Content Loading..."
Other changes:
- Added alert sheet to inform user that the mailbox is being optimized. This will happen on a clean install or if a mail database corruption has been detected. The sheet should only be seen once.
REQUIREMENTS
G4 or faster, Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later.
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| AOL Desktop User Reviews (23 posts) | Write A Review |
 | Nov 5 2008 |
ZC456 Holy crap, people, its a freakin' beta. "...released to an enthusiastic public for large-scale testing and bug discovery." - Wikipedia The new software includes Safari's engine, just like the Windows version uses IE's engine, so it should be a smooth transition in terms of logging into all your sites from Safari. The new interface is as "native" as it gets. So I don't know why people are complaining. With the new interface means finally upgraded software. Mail, AIM, and of course the browser have been totally revamped. I have a iBook G4, 15inch display, 1024x768, so things are a little big for me unlike the new Macs. AIM has a new interface, user info is a simple mouse hover away, and chatting has been revamped with a nice bigger window and tabs are default and its all ad-free. Mail is all native and almost looks like they copied off Apple's Mail. Its the ONLY application on the desktop software that has ads which is fine for me. Although it could use some work. This is the biggest change to hit AOL in a long time and by far welcomed one. Ignore those who say it sucks, has spyware, ect. This is isn't version 9! AOL changed its focus a long while back and this software shows it. My only complaints to the beta is the browser buttons shouldn't be "shiny." It feels awkward when on Leopard and even on Tiger. Hands down. I suggest more research if they want to go all native on both Tiger & Leopard platforms.
(Version 1.5b6) | |
| [ 2 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Nov 26 2008 |
PETER DA SILVA But what does it actually *do*? That's what people are boggled about... what does this desktop get you that the built-in software doesn't already do much much better? WHy would you use this package instead of Safari, iChat/AdiumX, Apple Mail, etc? What's the point? Cui bono? Where's the beef?
(Version 1.5b7) | |
| Dec 9 2008 |
TIM.DEHRING The point of this software is an all in one package for AOL. This is great for switchers from Windows that are used to using AOL Desktop so that they don't feel alienated. I should know, my grandfather refuses to get rid of AOL and so when I set up his Mac mini, I made sure I installed AOL for him, and he loved it.
(Version 1.5b8) | |
| Sep 10 2009 |
SEANBPERIOD Won't install on Snow Leopard 10.6.1 It says that I already have a newer version installed, but I have 1.5..
(Version 1.6b2) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Sep 10 2009 |
ANDYROGERS Same here. Can't install 1.6b2 on OSX 10.6.1. And I already trashed my 1.5.
(Version 1.6b2) | |
| Jan 25 2009 |
JAZZYGUY Well despite all the terrible comments my curiosity was fired up so I tried this application. When I started out years ago I had AOL as my ISP and I hated it. It used a proxy to give you a web browser and it had so many problems I was glad to rid myself of it. However,this application is quite nice. I have the latst news encapsulated within it and the GUI is nice. I really don't know what all the Brouha is about. I have to give this piece of freeware 5Stars.
(Version 1.5) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Oct 8 2008 |
DANA SUTTON What seems like decades ago (maybe it was!) I was a beta tester for AOL software. Although I and many other testers kept complaining about the hideous interface and how absolutely un-Maclike it was, their software engineers never got the point. It's like the chapter on "Human Engineering" had been ripped out of their textbooks. All I need is a quick glance at the screenshot to see that they still utterly fail to get it. I physically flinch when my poor eyes are confronted with AOL Desktop. I can easily see the point of having an all-in-one piece of software for those folks who aren't very computer-savvy and don't especially want to become so, and these days this is probably the single selling-point of AOL . But people like that are precisely the kind of people who will no doubt be thrown off -- or more likely scared off -- by such a cluttered, complex and confusing interface. AOL desperately needs to be ruthless and simplify, simplify, simplify.
(Version 1.5b4) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Jul 15 2008 |
- AOL keeps improving their software. - Newer versions don't run slower than older ones. - AOL won the 2008 Apple Developer Award CUBE for best iPhone Entertainment Application which is AOL Radio. - Beta and GM versions can coexist side by side. - No one is forcing you to use it. There are plenty of 'I am the 8 tons. gorilla in the room' kind of companies which couldn't even place a check mark to any of the aforementioned statements and whose software is expensive as hell. To complain for the sake of complain is a common symptom of immaturity. Do it with constructive feedback about the software so AOL could bring a better Mac client. Maybe this is not AOL OpenRide but at least they are trying which is needless to say, honest and honesty is the best image.
(Version 1.5b1) | |
| [ 3 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Jul 15 2008 |
MECHAMANIA The hate is likely from all the horrible service over the years when AOL was basically the only game in town. It was nearly impossible to cancel subscriptions for many people for a long while (among other things), and people came to hate AOL. AOL brought it on themselves, and while it's "nice" that they are developing this for free, etc., it's more because they have to--in order to salvage what remains of their brand--as opposed to doing so because they want to. They'd still be sticking it to everyone if they could, but they can't. So why would anyone want to make constructive criticisms and give them free help? Screw 'em. AOL knows right now that the very mention of their brand causes disgust among so many -- so much so that they are looking to re-brand as AIM, which is their most popular product.
(Version 1.5b1) | |
| Aug 4 2008 |
PETER DA SILVA The question is... what does it actually DO? When you don't need to run AOL software to log in to AOL, what benefit do you get from AOL Desktop? What does it actually do?
(Version 1.5b2) | |
| Aug 4 2008 |
DANA SUTTON What does it do? Looking at the screenshot, one gets the idea that it mostly shows you a whole bunch of ads, and that this was foremost in its designers' minds. One of the many, many reasons I got out of AOL many years ago is that I wanted an interface that showed me what I wanted to look at, not what they wanted me to look at (and were aggressively pushing all the time). AOL may imagine this ruthless onslaught of clutter generates profit, but it's such a massive turnoff that no doubt it's cost them a lot more than it's made them.
(Version 1.5b2) | |
| May 5 2008 |
OOSHNOO Why? Why God, why?
(Version 1.0) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Apr 28 2008 |
RC PHOTO I like this software. I like the idea of one program that handles web browsing, email and instant messaging in an easy to use program. If you became fond of the old AOL and want something similar to use on an Intel Mac, this is it. They will not be developing anything else. Love it or hate it, this is where AOL is going.
(Version 1.0b15) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Aug 28 2008 |
JEFFSTERS Hold on...you think this is an application someone that used the old AOL client would like? What have you been smoking? Try getting into an AOL chat room! NOT AIM, AOL! Guess what YOU CAN'T!
(Version 1.5b2) | |
| Apr 2 2008 |
MISTERLISTER Anyone else notice what was being searched for in the picture? | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Apr 2 2008 |
SPLUNK23 This is some kind of April Fool's Day joke, right? Does anyone actually USE AOL anymore?! I guess I can see why some folks still pay to hang on to their e-mail address they've had for so long. But does anyone use AOL as a way to "get on the Internet?" Geez, I hope not.
(Version 1.0b12) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Feb 22 2008 |
SPLUNK23 AOL is back?!? Are the endless pop-ups and picture-less e-mail and inability to uninstall back, too? Anachronism.
(Version 1.0b9) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
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