Accessible version of the Web Suite impresses

AOL tries hard to offer mail products that can be beneficial to the majority of the online users and one of the groups that is not forgotten is our visually impaired group. The Basic version of the Web Suite (aka Accessible Version) helps visually impaired users by being screen reader friendly with a robust set of keyboard shortcuts. A few months ago, I blogged about some of the most common shortcuts (email me if you’d like the full list—too long to post here).

Anyways, even more accessibility improvements are slated for inclusion next month but I wanted to share with you what one major organization had to say about the new Accessible Version of the Web Suite. Curtis Chong is the President of the National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science and is a recognized expert on accessible technology. Here’s what he wrote to AOL:

“I must say that I am quite impressed with the work that has clearly been done to create the accessible Web-based AOL mail interface. After I played around with it a bit, I found that the keyboard shortcuts do work if you give them a chance to do so .

I admit that I have spent perhaps two hours working on this, but so far, I can find very little to criticize and much to be glad about. My instincts tell me that a lot of thought and work went into the design of the accessible interface. The design clearly demonstrates a strong understanding of how screen-access programs for the blind work, knowledge of the shortcuts they use to facilitate efficient navigation of Web pages, and a practical understanding of what blind people need and want in an e-mail system. I'm hard to impress, but I will tell you that this has impressed me.

Cordially,
Curtis Chong”

We hope our visually impaired friends are enjoying the new Basic Version of the Web Suite.

Thank you all for choosing AOL.

Tae Kang
“The AOL Mail Blog Guy”
http://mailblog.aol.com
Keyword: mail blog

Going Mobile

How many times have you wanted to check your emails while you’re out-and-about? (away from your home or office) While you’re in the car (with someone else driving of course), while you’re waiting idle some place, while you’re at the airport, etc.

Well, now you can on the all new Mobile Mail, if you have a cell phone that’s capable of surfing the Internet. We've made checking your AOL, AIM, and My eAddress Mail on your cell phone much easier. Check out the new and improved Mobile Mail.

Give it a try and remember to tell us what you think via the Beta Feedback link at the bottom of the Mobile Mail screen.

Note: Your cell phone account must have a data plan and your carrier may charge you extra for surfing on the Internet. Flat-rate data plans are common with most carriers.

There’s no real need to, but you could also access Mobile Mail using any standard computer browser. Sure the type size will be small, since it’s designed for a phone screen, but there are some advantages too. I can’t tell you what they are, but you can see for yourself. Don’t tell anyone I told you here. :-)

Enoy and thanks for choosing AOL.

Tae Kang
“The AOL Mail Blog Guy”
http://mailblog.aol.com
Keyword: mail blog

Tags: Mobile Mail, beta

New AOL software lets you access all your other accounts on one screen!

Written by guest blogger Laura Peterson, Sr. Product Manager, AOL Desktop Software

Hi everyone,

Hope you’ve been checking out the mail experience in the beta of Helix (update: now called AOL Desktop), our latest all-in-one desktop software. I’m here to check in and tell you about a couple of cool features in Helix mail, such as the ability to add and access multiple mail accounts.

Helix lets you read mail from numerous non-AOL mail accounts, like Yahoo Mail, Gmail, Hotmail, etc., all at the same time. In addition to supporting mail addresses from the AOL network (domains like AOL, AIM, eAddress and Affinity mail), Helix also lets you check and write mail from other POP3 accounts like GMail and Verizon. The Helix team implemented this in a really elegant way by using tabs. Tabs are one of the new innovations you’ll see in the mail experience and something we’ve done throughout Helix to improve windows management.

The first screenshot below shows the mailbox (in the background) with multiple mail accounts enabled: an AOL e-mail address tab and a Gmail tab. After you add multiple accounts, you will be able to easily tab between your inboxes from the top of the AOL Desktop mailbox.

To add an e-mail account, click the “add e-mail account” button near the top middle of the form. You’ll be taken to the mail account part of mail settings where you can add and edit accounts.




This next screenshot shows where you enter your additional account information. (The port numbers are just placeholder, by the way.) Make sure you have the password for your additional mail account ready. AOL Desktop will enter as much information as it can on its own, but it’s also helpful to have the server address, port numbers and security types ready just in case Helix doesn’t auto-populate these fields. You should be able to access this information, as well as enable any other POP-related functionality, from your additional mail account settings.



After you’ve added an account, the tabs will let you toggle between your mail account inboxes.

Here are a couple things to remember about multiple accounts in AOL Desktop:

* The number of unread mail will be displayed as a number in each inbox account tab. However, only your main AOL-domain (including AIM, eAddress etc.) mail count and mail list will appear in the Helix toolbar and toolbar hover state.

* When you compose a mail, you now have a choice of what account you can send it from. Just select the preferred account from the dropdown list. (However, your main AOL address will always be the default.)

* You only have one set of folders for Helix mail. Regardless of what account tab you’re in or how many accounts you add, the folders where you save your mail will not change. Similarly, you will still have one central Address Book store.

Well, have fun checking out multiple accounts in Helix mail!

Be sure to try out the Beta so you can also explore other new features like tabbed mail, built-in MapQuest, AIM, and App Map, which lets you view all your open windows as clickable thumbnails.

Download the Helix Beta here: http://beta.aol.com/projects.php?project=helix

Cheers,
Laura Peterson


Tags: Helix, new aol software, multiple accounts, AOL Desktop

Which version of web mail should I use?

Hi,

Some of you have emailed me asking which version of the two new Web Suites you should use, so I thought I'd shed some light on that subject here for everyone to read.

Since late August, a new Basic version of the Web Suite was added to the product line, which is mainly intended for users who are on older computers or slower internet connections. The Basic is a "lite" version, meaning that it's smaller, faster, and more streamlined for doing just the basics of email. See how we got that name? :-) What that means though is that there are some features intentionally left out, in order to focus on speed. As this new Basic version grows, we'll be adding more convenience features.

If features is more important to you than speed (yes we're working on making it so that you can "have your cake and eat it too"), then the Standard version is for you. As long as you have a modern computer with a fast internet connection.

Below is a table that summarizes the recommended Web Suite, for different situations.



Direct access methods to your mail account:

Web Suite Standard - http://mail.aol.com

Web Suite Basic - http://basic.mail.aol.com

Notes:

When logging in, the actual connection speed is checked. If the speed isn't fast enough, you will see an option to use Basic if you haven't been logged in within 30-seconds. But you'll still be taken to the Standard version if you simply wait. If the Basic version is desired after you've logged in, the "Basic Version" link at the bottom of the screen can be clicked.

(1) Users with modern computers with compatible browsers and fast connection speeds can also use the Basic version too. Click the Basic Version link at the bottom of the screen when logged in. Bookmark the above links for faster access.

(2) Users can also use the Standard version if features are more important than speed. Click the Standard Version link at the bottom of the screen when logged in (compatible OS and browser are required otherwise link will not be displayed).


PS: I know there have been some reports of the Basic version being slower for some of you than the Standard version. If you're experiencing this consistently, please email me details about your system so that we can help you with that probably-resolvable issue.

Enjoy and thanks for choosing AOL,

Tae Kang

"The AOL Mail Blog Guy"
http://mailblog.aol.com
Keyword: Mail Blog