It's Official: AOL Launches New Desktop Software for the Mac
New Software for Mac is Latest in Series of Enhanced Mac-Compatible Applications and Products Released by AOL

The AOL for Mac team is pleased to announce today that we are officially launching the new AOL Desktop for Mac software (http://mac.aol.com). Built from the ground-up by Mac users and for Mac users, the new AOL Desktop for Mac marks the first all-new and thoroughly modern desktop software launched by AOL for the Mac in more than five years.

AOL Desktop for Mac offers an all-in-one mail, messaging and Web browsing experience that is light on the desktop, loads in record time, and offers a variety of new features and functionality -- many of which were recommended by our beta testers and AOL Mac users. Highlights of the new software include:

• New, Fast-Loading Web Browser: Built using the same technology that supports the Safari and iPhone Web browsers, the new AOL Desktop for Mac software is armed with one of the fastest-loading browsers available. And because it shares Web components with the Mac OS® X operating system, it will never become obsolete.
• Exclusive New Version of AIM: Developed exclusively for the Mac, the new AIM application in AOL Desktop for Mac works alongside the new AOL Browser and Mail, offering users an enhanced text-based instant messaging experience that now includes many of AIM's most-popular features, such as Buddy Info, AIM Expressions and Buddy Fly Out.
• Easy Transition Tools: New functionality allows for fast, easy transfer of AOL Favorites and AOL Mail (from AOL for Mac OS X personal filing cabinets), as well as icon "tooltips," and a new AOL Support Portal for Mac.
• Tabbed IM and Browsing: Tabs on the browser and IM offer easy access to an uncluttered and organized view of all open windows, helping users stay organized and save time while online.

AOL Desktop for Mac is the latest addition to AOL's recently-released library of Mac and iPhone compatible products, including AOL Mobile Search optimized for the iPhone, AIM for the iPhone and Xdrive Desktop Lite. AOL Mail is also accessible on the iPhone. AOL has a long history of developing and supporting software and services specifically for Mac products, and originally debuted its service on the Mac more than 20 years ago.

The video posted below highlights several of the new features included in the new AOL Desktop for Mac. I encourage you try it for yourself at http://mac.aol.com. It is compatible with Mac OS X, Leopard and Tiger (i.e. Mac OS X 10.4.8 or higher), and will co-exist on your desktop with AOL for Mac OS X.

Link to High Resolution Version (QuickTime .MOV 1440 x 900 - 24.3MB)

Download AOL Desktop for Mac Screenshots

The AOL Desktop for Mac Development Team (2007-2008). Seated left to right: Christina Wick, Abhi Patwardhan, Todd Brannam, Scott Tury, Larry Aasen, Bob Ward, Keith Malkin, and Ron Anderson. Not pictured: Dan Gilliam.

We would like to thank all of the AOL Beta testers for the hard work and dedication. Stay tuned for more cool Mac applications in the future.

It's a nice sunny day here in Northern Virginia (with just a few clouds) and with the nice weather (not to mention some late night bug hunting and fixing!) the AOL Mac Team is pleased to release AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 16. You can find your very own copy at AOL Beta Central. Please make sure you understand requirements for beta (don't put any important mail in a mail archive and please wait until the final version is released before making it part of your mission critical home or business process). You can get more information on the beta process by reading Beta 101 on AOL Beta Central.

Here's what's fixed in Beta 16:

• Fixed problem where users sometimes experienced a beachball after launching the application after a crash
• Replying to an unread message while preview pane is off renders mail content instead of "message content loading"
• Fixed a refresh issue in the Sign In screen where some Screen Names would not appear until the next time the application is launched
• Disabled Empty Trash, Delete All Spam Messages, and Mark All Messages As Read options in Mail when offline
• Fixed intermittent crashing issue related to AIM
• Fixed issue with dragging Mail from local folders to host folders

Please continue to leave feedback here on the Mac@AOL Blog or using the beta feedback at AOL Beta Central.

thanks!
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

Beta release on a Sunday? Yep, the AOL Mac Team is working through the weekend to get the new beta out to our testing community. Our focus areas are AIM and Mail. Please continue to send feedback (Beta Feedback icon on the AOL Desktop for Mac toolbar or you can click here).

Note for users having issues with Mail:


Here's what we fixed in Beta 15:

• Improved handling of mail attachments for text clippings, applications and Mac OS Classic applications
• Fixed issue when reading mail with preview pane closed
• Updated Buddy Info data being saved on AOL servers
• Fixed issue with 'Mail Link To This Page' to follow proper insertion point in mail
• Fixed intermittent crashing issue related to AIM
• Fixed 'Message Content Loading' error when reading mail in local folders
• Fixed window positioning for Send Confirmation
• Auto-suggest accepts friendly names and group names during lookup
• Fixed move folder issues under 'On AOL' folder
• 'Saved as Draft' button now grayed out for reply messages
• Mail message dates may display incorrect date in mailbox date column
• Fixed sorting of mail type in mailbox
• Fixed contextual menu option for emptying mail
• Fixed Reply-All to include all e-mail addresses in original message
• Fixed intermittent crash when editing Mail Preferences
• Fixed issue with mail read while online and then selected when mail is offline, resulting in blank Preview Pane
• Improved typing performance in IM conversation window
• AOL Desktop for Mac installer now verifying Mac OS X version (10.4.8 or higher)
• Updated tooltips and overall fit and finish

Enjoy,
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

The Betas keep on comin'...Today, the AOL Mac Team has released AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 14. Beta 14 tackles a couple of issues that were reported to our Beta feedback/bug report system. We identified an issue where some users were experiencing a application crash after selecting Auto Sign-In and relaunching the application. We also took care of an additional issue in mail.



I would like to take a moment and thank the multitude of AOL Mac beta testers that have been submitting feedback reports and participating on the AOL Beta Message Boards. Feedback from the AOL community is very important to our team!

Thanks!
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

Dozens of donuts and liters of soda and coffee, the AOL Mac Team Beta 13. Below is a list of fixed issues available for our loyal beta testers to try out. Mail continues to be a focus area for our team, so please send Beta feedback (or leave a comment here) if you have issues with mail after installing Beta 13.

Note for users having issues with Mail:

Beta test users (from Beta 8 and up) may have been experiencing issues with mail display, disappearing mail in the mailbox list view and problems deleting mail. The AOL Mac Team has been collecting feedback and bug reports from AOL Beta Central and we have fixed most of these problems in Beta 13. We believe there might be one particular situation in which the user could get temporarily stuck. Please report any issues using the Beta Feedback selection under the Help menu item. Any specific information about connection type and speed, whether you are using wireless, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Fixed Issues:

• Rearchitected mail to fix issues with mail display and mail delete
• Looking up a user's buddy info is now supported

• AOL Desktop for Mac now handles plug-ins and protocols for various helper applications (including iTunes)
• Fixed/Added accessibility options with VoiceOver, especially around the preference for speaking incoming IMs
• Browser will now warn user at application close that downloads are in progress
• Buddy List status pop-up fixed
• Reconfigured buttons to be in context with users actions in AIM (enable/disable buttons when function is available)
• Clicking AIM in application toolbar will bring all IM windows to front
• Updated formatting toolbar with a more unified appearance
• Fixed issue with displaying Flash video in full screen mode
• Resolved single-sign on issues with AIM Chat (now on application toolbar)
• Offline IM support now enabled
• iChat and other clients that send text emoticons auto-convert
• Disabled IM options for parentally controlled accounts
• Local folder search has been fixed
• Attachment button in mail has been fixed (from Beta 11)
• Added contextual menus and updated UI where appropriate
• Updated mail signatures preferences

And if you haven't, download AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 12 and use the AOL Beta Central Feedback or Message Boards to tell us what you think!

thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

You upgraded to Leopard, now when you print, the Printer queue opens in the Dock. Great. But what happens when you're done printing? It's still there. The print queue is like a guest who won't leave. You can fix this and it's easy.

You just need to do the following:

1. Open System Preferences and select Print & Fax:

2. Open a print queue by clicking Open Print Queue... button. Now you'll see a printer in your Dock.
3. Once your print queue is in the Dock, you can Control-Click the printer icon (or right-click icon) and then select Auto-Quit. That's it!

Now your print queues will appear during printing and 'go home' after their done.

Thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

XM Radio prepared a special deal for AOL Radio listeners. Click to find more on the XM Radio offer.

You can keep up with the AOL Radio team on the AOL Radio blog and on the XM Radio Guide.

Yes, time sure flies. Apple, was born in Steve Jobs' parents house (actually, Apple started in a bedroom, then later moved into the garage) over three decades ago. Apple Computer, Inc. was incorporated in California on April 1, 1976 (planned for Aprils' fools day) and today, it's one of the largest computer/consumer electronics companies in the world.

March 6, 2008 will go down in Apple history as a seminal day for the iPhone platform and Mac users. I've been around the Mac platform for decades and I haven't seen this much excitement since the Newton or when Apple was testing Rhapsody, the code name for the upcoming Mac OS X (back in the late 1990's).

The Address Book in AOL Desktop for Mac is a great place to store all of your contacts for email, IM, and cell numbers. It can easily handle thousands of contacts and is easy to use. It also continuously syncs to the host so your entire Address Book is available wherever you go online.

To view your Address Book in AOL Desktop for Mac, click on the Window menu and select the Address Book menu item.

You can also create mailing Groups where you add multiple contacts to one list. Then you can send one email to everyone on the list at the same time. This can save you valuable minutes if you're managing the softball team or school PTA list.

There are many other great features in the Address Book including quick searching, email to contact, IM to contact, and drag and drop. Try the Address Book in AOL Desktop for Mac today and keep yourself organized.

Larry Aasen
Developer, AOL Desktop for Mac Team

You can relive today's event in Cupertino at our sister sites - Engadget and TUAW (Engadget and TUAW are in the AOL family). One more thing...Apple also announced that they're working with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to start the $100,000,000 iFund to invest in up-and-coming iPhone independent software developers.

Enjoy!
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead