AOL Builds Browser into AIM - The AOL Browser

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AlbertPacino

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AOL Explorer is separate from AOL's Netscape browser. AOL Explorer, formerly called the AOL Browser, has been in beta testing since late last year and is based on Microsoft Corp.'s IE rendering engine. The Netscape browser is based on the Mozilla Firefox browser and Gecko engine.

In the AIM 5.9 update, AOL Explorer has replaced IE as the browser rendering the AOL Today page, a portal-like page that automatically appears during startup of the AIM client. AOL officials declined to say when the update would be generally available.

The AOL Explorer is downloaded by default with AIM, but AOL officials said that none of a user's current Web browser defaults is replaced. Users also can disable AOL Explorer within AIM's preferences, which would cause the AIM Today page to be rendered with IE.

"We aren't mandating that AIM users adopt AOL Explorer as their Web browser of choice, but rather, we're upgrading our service and utilizing the software that helps us best deliver the AIM Today experience," AOL spokesperson Krista Thomas said in a statement.

But users can make the switch to AOL Explorer from within AIM. By putting Web browsing at the center of the AIM update, AOL also is preparing to expose its 36 million active AIM users to the range of new browser features that it has developed.

These include tabbed browsing for viewing multiple sites in one browser window and the displaying of thumbnail-sized Web-page previews when users hover over a link in their Web favorites or history.

AOL's browser also provides an anti-spyware tool called "spy zapper," which scans a user's computer for spyware when the browser is launched. Another feature lets users look up information from the Whois database about the owner of a Web-site domain.

One browser feature missing in AIM is desktop search. The full AOL Explorer beta download includes AOL's tools for searching hard-drive files and e-mail.

Beyond the browser switch, the AIM 5.9 upgrade also does away with two pieces of third-party software—WildTangent Inc.'s player for online games and the WeatherBug weather tool.

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It's gotta be really packed with features if AOL wants ppl to adopt their browser. If they go the BroadBand cablewallahs way, then its a completely different story altogether!
I mean, they already have a large customer base. If they somehow manage to trick the users into using it, then they strike gold! ;)
 
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