The previous blog topic in this slot was too confusing so it’s being replaced with the following one about an upcoming and related feature. I didn’t want to lose the ongoing discussions under this entry, hence why it’s being replace rather than removed entirely (blog software deletes all comments if an entry is removed).
Want an even easier way to avoid entering in your password every time you want to read you emails?
Note: This goes without saying, but just a reminder…. Remember to click the Sign Out link after using a public/shared computer. I’m offering this tip for use on your own personal computer that only you use (preferably that’s already protected by a password).
Don’t want to enter in your screen name and password each time you want to read your emails on your computer?
There’s an upcoming new feature that we’re internally calling “keep me signed in.” It does what it sounds like. If you choose to turn on that feature, it’ll keep you signed into your account until you manually click the Sign Out link. This will be a very handy feature because you can skip a few steps in the login process. With this feature, you’ll be able to go straight to http://mail.aol.com (use a book mark for single-click access)and you won't be prompted for a password. You decide whether this is desired for your situation--for some people (like me), speed and convenienceis king since mail security isn't a worry for me on my personal computer.
Whenever you’re done with reading your emails, don’t click the Sign Out link because if you do, then you’ll have to enter in your password again the next time. Instead, just exit or close the browser normally. Note: Clicking the Sign Out link or deleting the browser cookies will require you to enter in your screen name and password again the next time--handy for when you're on a public computer.
This feature will be coming out next month along with even more features that many of you have been asking for. So stay tuned for more details. Enjoy and thanks for choosing AOL!
Tae
"The AOL Mail Blog Guy"
http://mailblog.aol.com
Keyword: mail blog
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
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
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
Thursday, September 20, 2007
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
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
Sunday, September 16, 2007
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
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
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Introducing AOL Mail Gadget for iGoogle
Written by guest blogger Rohit Kinra, Sr. Product Manager, AOL Mail
We’ve been hard at work for the past couple of months on developing web-based gadgets for all AOL mail users (AOL, AIM, or My eAddress). A gadget is a "light-weight single-purpose program" on a web site, designed to perform a specific function.
We're now releasing another web-based gadget for all of you who use iGoogle for your homepage (yes, we do play nicely with our competitors :-) ). And we are busy working on more gadgets for more of your favorite websites, so keep checking back with us.
All the gadgets will show you new mail in your AOL, AIM, or My eAddress mailboxes. So, now you can find out about the new mail in your mailbox even while your surfing on Google (and other sites in the future). The gadgets allow you to:
• See new mail with their subject lines, whom they are from, and when you got them.
• See the number of new mail messages in your mailbox.
• Compose a new mail message… We will link you right into our Web Suite and you can begin writing your new mail.
• Set how many new mail messages you want to see (5, 10, or 15).
• Set the background color when displaying your new mail.
Our first version is US English only, but we are working hard to make a global version with the following languages:
French (France)
German (Germany)
English (US)
English (United Kingdom)
English (Canada)
English (India)
Spanish (US)
Spanish (Spain)
Italian (Italy)
Swedish (Sweden)
Chinese (China)
Dutch (Netherlands)
If you want to try the AOL mail gadget for Google, you can load it into your iGoogle page. Click here to try it now.
Thanks and we hope you enjoy the new gadgets. Please let us know what you think of them.
Enjoy,
Rohit Kinra
We’ve been hard at work for the past couple of months on developing web-based gadgets for all AOL mail users (AOL, AIM, or My eAddress). A gadget is a "light-weight single-purpose program" on a web site, designed to perform a specific function.
We're now releasing another web-based gadget for all of you who use iGoogle for your homepage (yes, we do play nicely with our competitors :-) ). And we are busy working on more gadgets for more of your favorite websites, so keep checking back with us.
All the gadgets will show you new mail in your AOL, AIM, or My eAddress mailboxes. So, now you can find out about the new mail in your mailbox even while your surfing on Google (and other sites in the future). The gadgets allow you to:
• See new mail with their subject lines, whom they are from, and when you got them.
• See the number of new mail messages in your mailbox.
• Compose a new mail message… We will link you right into our Web Suite and you can begin writing your new mail.
• Set how many new mail messages you want to see (5, 10, or 15).
• Set the background color when displaying your new mail.
Our first version is US English only, but we are working hard to make a global version with the following languages:
French (France)
German (Germany)
English (US)
English (United Kingdom)
English (Canada)
English (India)
Spanish (US)
Spanish (Spain)
Italian (Italy)
Swedish (Sweden)
Chinese (China)
Dutch (Netherlands)
If you want to try the AOL mail gadget for Google, you can load it into your iGoogle page. Click here to try it now.
Thanks and we hope you enjoy the new gadgets. Please let us know what you think of them.
Enjoy,
Rohit Kinra
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sending text messages from the Web Suite (and AOL 9.0VR too)
You may have heard that Yahoo is offering a new service starting today that lets you send an SMS or text message from email. Well, that’s another feature that AOL has had for years now. Simply open the Web Suite's AIM Panel or AOL 9.0VR (works with the AIM installed program too), click the IM button, and type “+1 and the 10-digit cell phone number” into the To: Screen Name box. Your IM will be received on their cell phone, usually within seconds, and they can reply back via IM too. It's kind of fun, so give it a try! Note: recipient's phone must have the feature to receive text messages and some cell phone companies charge for text messages.
So that you don't have to type in all the digits the next time, it’s real easy to add that number to your buddy list. I’ve had my wife’s cell number in my buddy list for those last minute “pick up more milk please” text messages. :-)
Enjoy the new AIM Panel in the Web Suite and thanks for choosing AOL.
‘Til next time,
Tae Kang
“The AOL Mail Blog Guy”
http://mailblog.aol.com
Keyword: mail blog
So that you don't have to type in all the digits the next time, it’s real easy to add that number to your buddy list. I’ve had my wife’s cell number in my buddy list for those last minute “pick up more milk please” text messages. :-)
Enjoy the new AIM Panel in the Web Suite and thanks for choosing AOL.
‘Til next time,
Tae Kang
“The AOL Mail Blog Guy”
http://mailblog.aol.com
Keyword: mail blog
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