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:

Beta 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 14 and 15. 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.

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



I hope you're enjoying the sunny weather (nice in N. Virginia!) and trying out the new Beta 14 release of AOL Desktop for Mac. We've received a lot of feedback this week and I want to jump right in.

Question 1 - I would like to sort by last name or company
Answer: Beta testers have commented that they would like to organize their AOL Address Book contacts by other sort orders. We have captured that request and it's on our enhancement list. Our goal with AOL Desktop for Mac 1.0 is to get the foundation in place for additional features and products in the future. As we wrap up AOL Desktop for Mac 1.0, AOL Beta Test users will get information on how to stay in the AOL Mac beta community and continue to get information on new betas.

Question 2 - Can I add 'Write Mail' icon to my toolbar?
Answer: Yes. We have added a whole bunch of your favorite AOL web sites and functions that some of you would like to have on the toolbar. You can add Write Mail to your toolbar by doing the following:

1. Launch AOL Desktop for Mac (no need to sign-in, but you can if you like)
2. Go to View>Customize AOL Toolbar...
3. You will see the customize sheet (below) appear. All you have to do is drag any icon to the toolbar and you'll see the other icons make room for the newest member of the toolbar family. If you want to go back to the factory defaults, just drag the complete set (at the bottom of the customize sheet) to the top.


Question 3 - What's going on with AOL Chat?
As we have blogged about before, AOL is moving from the traditional chat rooms to AIM Chat. AIM Chat opens up all new chat functions - audio/video chat (if you have an attached/built-in iSight camera). User created chat rooms are available or you can join in on one of the many chat rooms in the new AIM Chat directory. It's going to take some time until all the old chat rooms are moved over (AIM Chat is in public beta), but we feel the experience will be greatly improved over the traditional chat.

Just a quick note, you can subscribe to the Mac@AOL blog by mail or RSS feed, just enter your e-mail address in the Subscribe box on the lower right column or click the orange + sign to subscribe to the RSS feed.

Have a great weekend!
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

Please stop back tomorrow for an all-new Feedback Friday, where I comb the Internet for comments and questions and post the feedback right here on the Mac@AOL blog.

Thanks!
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

The fine folks in AOL Beta Central has just posted a quick survey on one of the new features in AOL Desktop for Mac that was featured on the Mac@AOL blog on April 1st on Tabbed Browsing. Today, we would like to get your help on what should be the default experience for Tabs - Should 'Click opens a targeted link in a new tab' be default?. Drop by AOL Beta Central today and vote.



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 offer for AOL Listeners On April 30, 2008, AOL and XM Radio will be ending their partnership. This means that XM Radio channels will not be available to our AOL Radio for Mac users. You will still be able to listen to all the AOL Radio stations 24/7 with your current AOL Radio for Mac. Nothing new is required to download or update.

Please stop by for more information on AOL Radio for Mac in the coming weeks.

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.

Happy 32nd Birthday Apple!

Posted Apr 1st 2008 2:42PM by Lee Givens
Filed under: General
0 Comments

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.



Back in 1976, Apple actually had three founders - Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Ron Wayne. Ron actually designed the first Apple logo...you can see it at TUAW.com. If you love Apple history, make sure you check out Owen Linzmayer's book, Apple Confidential 2.0.

Please take a moment and leave a comment of how Apple has been part of your life.

thanks...Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

Feedback Friday 3/21

Posted Mar 24th 2008 6:05PM by Lee Givens
Filed under: Member Education
0 Comments



Yes, this episode of Feedback Friday is on Monday, but hey, it's March Madness, so I ask for a bit of leeway :)

Our friend Sam in Member Services has delivered the top 4 articles requested by users on AOL Help. I'll cover these and you'll see the 3/28 installment of Feedback Friday focusing on comments from the AOL Beta Message Boards.

1. Send and Receive E-mail Attachments on AOL® Desktop™ for Mac®

Some users are getting used to the new way of sending and receiving attachments. This support article covers both attaching and saving files that are attached to e-mail. FYI..you can send a total of 16MB of attachments (single or multiple files).


2. E-mail Features on AOL® Desktop™ For Mac®

What are the new e-mail features in AOL Desktop for Mac? This article covers info on Spell Check, changing font size, customizing your mail and adding a mail signature.



3. Buddy List® features on AOL® Desktop™ for Mac®

One of my favorite AOL Help articles, this article covers all the features of the AOL Desktop for Mac Buddy List. You can learn how to add, delete or search Buddies. There's more: you can also set invisible mode, set an away message or learn how to set up a Buddy Chat.



4. Install AOL® Desktop™ for Mac®

Our fourth-most popular Support Portal article provides how-to's on downloading and installing AOL Desktop for Mac. With Leopard (10.5.x), users are still getting used to the Download folder. It does keep the desktop cleaner :)



Thanks and have a great week!
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

iPhone SDK and iPhone Roadmap

Posted Mar 10th 2008 5:19PM by Lee Givens
Filed under: News, iPhone
0 Comments

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).



Why is this a big deal? As most of you know, software is the life-blood of any hardware platform. Take HD-DVD for an example. After the major studios said they were not going to release movies in HD-DVD format, Sony's Blu-Ray took over. Software is the arguably equally important to the cool hardware it runs on.

Starting March 6th, anyone can sign up for Apple's Developer program and get a beta copy of the iPhone SDK. Free. In order to sell your apps on the iTunes and iPhone AppStore, you'll need to come up with $99, but that's a lot better than most developer programs I've seen over the years.

Stop by the Apple iPhone SDK site or watch the March 6th announcement on iTunes Podcasts (search for SDK) or on Apple's web site. Just in case you're wondering, AOL's turn on stage to demo AIM for iPhone comes in around 53 minutes, 10 seconds.

thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

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

AIM on iPhone!

Posted Mar 6th 2008 4:25PM by Lee Givens
Filed under: Announcements, iPhone
3 Comments

AOL has been working with Apple to build AIM for iPhone. That's right, an AIM client for iPhone built in just days (not months). We're happy to have the AOL team on stage at 4 Infinite Loop to showcase the new AIM client. You can use finger gestures to manage multiple conversations and multi-touch to view your Buddy List.



You may have heard the news spreading throughout the the Mac/iPhone communities (and probably some Windows sites as well :) - Today, Apple announced the iPhone SDK beta and a June release of iPhone firmware 2.0. In order to install and run 3rd party iPhone apps, you will need to wait until Apple releases the iPhone 2.0 update. But you can get started on developing iPhone apps today.


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

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About The Team

Welcome to the Mac@AOL Blog. My name is Lee Givens and I'm the Product Lead for the Mac products at AOL. You can find the latest information on AOL's software development on the Mac and any cool happenings at AOL. The purpose of the blog is to create a feedback loop so we can hear from our loyal AOL Mac users. Managing a blog is a lot of work, so I enlisted support from the whole team...the Mac team is made up of dedicated Macintosh developers, QA engineers and Product folks.

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