You're browsing on your Mac (hopefully using AOL Desktop for Mac :), and your buddy sends you an IM to say that last nights Daily Show or Colbert Report was must-see TV, but you forgot to record it on your PVR. Guess what, you can now view the ENTIRE show on AOL Video's Hulu channel. Did I mention it's FREE. Yep, no fees and you can watch a variety of shows from other AOL partners as well.

Stop by today and get caught up on your favorite shows. You can also add the AOL Video button to your toolbar, check out the AOL Toolbar customization instructions for more info (not to mention adding Write Mail, AOL Radio and even TMZ to your toolbar!).

Enjoy!
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

We understand that some of our users have been vocal (well, that's an understatement for some of our loyal users :) so AOL is continuing our commitment to the Mac platform by releasing the second beta for AOL Desktop for Mac 1.5, the next version of the all-in-one Internet application.

The AOL Mac Team is not taking a break this summer. We released AIM for iPhone and AOL Radio for iPhone and now we'll be following up with AOL Desktop for Mac 1.5 beta. This new beta program will focus on the next major update of the AOL all-in-one Internet software.

Our goals for this release are:

• AIM File Transfer now enabled. Users can send files directly to other AIM users.
• Users can now tear off browser tabs (and merge browser windows back to tabs).
• Users can now log in with their .Mac user IDs and passwords.
• All AOL Screen Names associated with an account will now appear in the Sign-In window drop-down list.
• Mail header switching issues have been resolved.

We're looking to make window management better and pull all screen names associated with an account after you first log in. For all you AIM fans, you can now use AIM File Transfer to send files to your Buddies without firing up FTP or attaching to e-mail.

All of these features have been requested by our users and we're making sure we continually make AOL Desktop for Mac the best Internet app on the Mac. Please continue to use the Beta Feedback or leave a comment on the Mac@AOL Blog.

thanks!
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead

Today AOL released AOL Desktop for Mac 1.2 that resolves mail and AIM issues our customers have reported for the past few weeks. This is our second update to AOL Desktop for Mac which was launched in early May, 2008.

Changes in AOL Desktop for Mac 1.2:

• Fixed mail display issues where addressee/subject did not match
• Fixed various issues with AIM that may lead to crash on some systems

During first-run of AOL Desktop for Mac 1.2, your online mail folders will be re-synchronized. This is a one-time operation that will increase performance on subsequent launches of AOL Desktop for Mac 1.2. You can continue to use AOL Desktop for Mac 1.2 during the re-synchronization.

Please report any issues using the Feedback button on the application toolbar. Any specific information about connection type and speed, whether you are using wireless, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Try out the new update and let us know how it works for you. You can download it from discover AOL in the Free AOL Downloads section. We will try to respond to comments that have an email address, but rest assured, every comment is read and evaluated by our team.

Thanks...
Larry Aasen
Developer, AOL Desktop for Mac Team

We're Listening to Our Users!
The whole Mac team reviews comments from the Feedback button and posts on the AOL Mac Message Boards. We have addressed the top issues reported by our customers and we released AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 18 on the AOL Beta Central site.

If you're using the GM 1.0 version and haven't participated in a Beta program in the past, please wait until we release AOL Desktop for Mac 1.1 in the very near future!

Fixed Issues for Beta 17/18

• Fixed mail performance issues. Now, mailboxes with hundreds of messages (or even thousands) are synched on first run without slowing the system
• Fixed mail display issues with incorrect content
• Fixed Address Book issues that may have not properly switched to the correct screen name when syncing
• Fixed Address Book sync failures which resulted in no contacts
• Address Book sort by last name has been added to this release
• Fixed sorting in Address Book when clicking the column headers
• Fixed sporadic Leopard crash when clicking mailto: links
• Fixed Mac OS X 10.5.3 issues with Buddy List search
• Fixed Mac OS X 10.5.3 issues that may have caused a crash in AIM
• Fixed performance for auto-complete for AIM when user has a large Address Book

Note to Beta Users: If you are running the AOL Desktop for Mac released version, we are now separating the Application Support folders for Beta and GM releases. If you have imported or saved mail using a pre-Beta 16, you will need to move the mail folder (in the ~/Library/Application Support/AOL Desktop/Users) to the new AOL Desktop Beta folder. The GM (released version) saves all application support files in the AOL Desktop folder, Beta 17 and 18 save all data in AOL Desktop Beta folder.

Today, we launch the first of many in-depth articles on using AOL Desktop for Mac. I want to start with Mail. We've been getting a lot of feedback and every developer is being briefed on issues being reported using the handy Feedback button on the toolbar. Remember, if you would like to get a response to your feedback (I'll try to get back to as many of you as possible!), I need to get your e-mail address (you can type your e-mail address in the optional e-mail field on the Feedback form).

Topic 1 - First Run Mail Experience (mail performance)
When you first install and launch AOL Desktop for Mac, you'll notice it installs and launches in seconds. After logging in, some users may notice that the application may seem sluggish, this is due to the application downloading mail for the first time and if you have hundreds (or even thousands!) of mail messages in your New/Old or Inbox. You can make the mail experience better by letting AOL Desktop for Mac to finish adding your mailbox to the new mail database. This should only take a few moments, resulting in a better experience day-to-day.

Topic 2 - Mail Display Issues
Some users have experienced mail display issues, where mail listing may be jumbled or your mail header (e.g., To:, From:, Subject:) may not be updated with the current mail message you're viewing. We have our mail team working around the clock to address this issue.

Topic 3 - Default Font for Mail
Like many AOL users, I like picking my favorite font and font size. This is one of our top requests and we'll be posting information on this feature on the Mac@AOL Blog. Hang in there, we'll get back to you.

Topic 4 - How do I Add a BCC: or Signature?
To the Right of the 'To:' field, you will see a pull-down menu that will reveal all kinds of neat things. You can add a BCC: or Signature or even hide the stylebar, if that's what you need.

This is our first post-launch Feedback Friday and we're still reading through ALL the feedback we've gotten from our nifty Feedback button on the AOL Desktop for Mac Toolbar. Please keep the comments coming, we feel it's the best way to hear from our users and help the AOL Mac Team prioritize new features and our projects during the year.

First, for those of you new to the Mac@AOL Blog, we review feedback we received and try to answer the most reported issues right here on the blog. You can review our previous Feedback Friday articles to get an idea (or find an answer) about an issue.

Previous editions of Feedback Friday:

Feedback Friday - 2/15

Feedback Friday - 2/29

Feedback Friday - 3/21

Feedback Friday - 4/18

Question 1 - How Can I Find an Answer to My Problem?
Well, the first place you should look is AOL Support Portal for Mac and the Mac@AOL Blog. You can search keywords or tags by using the handy Search Box, in the upper right corner of the blog page.

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