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For dial-up users of America Online, there isn't much new in its latest software upgrade. For those with high-speed Internet access, AOL 7.0 sports features geared to speedy downloading and plenty of plugs for AOL products and services.
By DAVE GUSSOW
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2001
America Online is developing a split personality in its new software.
For most users, AOL 7.0 for Windows offers mainly cosmetic changes and tweaks to current services, a modest upgrade from AOL 6.0 that was released about a year ago.
But for the 10 percent of AOL's 31-million subscribers who have high-speed cable or digital subscriber line access, it adds features not available to those with slower dial-up connections.
"Just for High Speed AOL" automatically appears on the opening Welcome screen for those with a fast connection. It provides links to offerings such as music videos, movie trailers and highlights from NASCAR.com that need speed to work well.
The emphasis on speedy connections is not surprising. AOL is rolling out service in areas served by Time Warner cable lines, including the Tampa Bay area, and it needs offerings that will lure people to pay $54.95 a month, compared with $23.90 a month for a slower dial-up connection.
It also has a built-in source of content to promote, Time Warner's entertainment empire, and it's using its large and loyal online base to push even more AOL-related products and services.
While Net users share similar interests regardless of connection speed, those in the fast lane "use their connections more intensively," according to a report from Jupiter Media Metrix, a market research company. In particular, they "are more likely to download or listen to music, watch video or view entertainment-related Web sites."
So the hard sell for speed from AOL is on, and the company promises a major ad blitz to get the word out about the service.
Downloading and installing the new software took about 15 minutes on a speedy cable connection. However, depending on the operating system, the file size can range from 118 to 161 megabytes. Those with dial-up connections may want to install it from a disk, rather than potentially spending hours to download it.
Even beta, or test, versions of the software worked well with the new Windows XP operating system, and it didn't cause problems similar to the infamous AOL 5.0, dubbed the "upgrade of death" by some.
But beware that the new version still asks if you'd like to make America Online your "preferred application" for features such as CD playback, Web browsing and e-mail. It sounds innocent enough, but my advice is: Don't do it. Make sure the boxes beside those choices aren't clicked. Giving AOL that preferred status doesn't make it any easier to use its features; it only makes it harder to use any other e-mail service or Web browser.
Here are some features of the new software:
-- Welcome screen: AOL keeps the basic look, but adds local flavor for news, weather and entertainment based on your ZIP code. (The St. Petersburg Times provides local news content for AOL.)
An important addition in the toolbar is a Help button with how-to tutorials.
-- Music/entertainment: Digital music is a big deal in AOL 7.0. Radio@AOL is a new button in the top toolbar, offering 75 stations of music (from alternative to folk to classic rock), news, sports and talk. Its media player can be used as a jukebox, with users creating their own playlists. And there are no commercials interrupting the music, at least so far.
But just as Microsoft pushes its products, Web sites and partners in its operating system, AOL uses its service to promote all things AOL. Want to buy the music you're listening to? Just click and you can get it from AOL partner CDNow.
Coming later will be AOL's subscription music service, also tailored for high-speed connections.
AOL Box Office will let subscribers buy tickets to a variety of events through Ticketmaster, an AOL partner.
-- Shopping: AOL adds a feature that may sound familiar to those who follow Microsoft's plans. Quick Checkout is an online payment system in which people store personal information, a credit card number and shipping address. When they want to buy something, they just click, eliminating the need to put in the information for every transaction.
AOL offers a money-back guarantee if a consumer and merchant can't resolve a dispute. However, as with all things online, a lot of strings are attached.
-- Mail and IM: AOL 7.0 lets people go from an instant message with one person into an event with multiple friends. Harry Potter and Looney Tune characters are among the new icons available for Buddy list users.
E-mail improvements are best described as small steps: AOL will let you see whether a person who sent an e-mail is online through an icon next to the message, allowing you to respond instantly. It added an auto-complete feature for addresses that you start to type.
Is it worth the upgrade? I use a general rule of thumb: If you're happy with what you have and it's working, it's not essential. If you want to take advantage of some of the other services, give it a whirl.
In this case, I'll add a corollary: Upgrade if you have a fast connection. Don't bother if your PC still dials the phone to reach AOL.
- Dave Gussow can be reached at gussow@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4228.