The offering is AOL's latest push to move away from the pure Internet Service Provider business into the portal space to lure former subscribers back to the fold.

AOL has recently launched free ad-based desktop software that combines its most popular services into one user interface, called OpenRide that creates a multi-pane view for Web users to be able to see e-mail, instant messaging, search and media such as video and audio on one screen.

AOL has launched an initiative that opens its video search platform to third-party developers and content owners.
Continuing its commitment to provide developers with open access to its popular services, AOL of late announced an initiative that opens the platform for its industry-leading AOL Video Search engine to third-party developers and video content owners.

Open Platform enables developers to integrate AOL Video Search results into third-party web sites, making it easier for content owners to submit video feeds in Real-Tim to AOL Video Search Index.

{mosimage}French alternative fixed-line carrier Neuf Cegetel SA has finalized an agreement to purchase the internet access business of AOL France, as the sell-off of Time Warner Inc.'s European assets continues.

Time Warner Inc. of late said it agreed to sell AOL France's Internet access business to Neuf Cegetel, a French telecommunications network operator, for about $365 million in cash, as it overhauls its online business in Europe to boost advertising.

Telecom Italia has agreed to acquire Time Warner’s AOL Germany Internet access business for EUR 675 million ($870 million, Equity Value) in cash.

Time Warner Inc. is giving up its foothold in one of the fastest-growing markets for broadband Internet access with a deal to sell AOL Germany's Internet access business to Telecom Italia SpA for about US$870 million.

AOL's Germany unit has operated as an Internet service provider for more than a decade.

Purchases Are a Bid to Attract More Users to Its Web Site

Shortly after AOL announced a dramatically new business plan that included laying off a quarter of its workforce, the company recently went on a small buying spree, purchasing two firms that the company hopes will lure new users to its AOL.com Web site.

AOL recently said that it purchased GameDaily, a Web site that provides information about video games and operates a newsletter for gaming enthusiasts -- the portal plans to turn into its flagship video games brand.

AOL has introduced free antivirus software that is likely to become the highest-profile alternative to security software you pay for.

Active Virus Shield, Powered by Kaspersky, Provides Real-Time Scanning and Protection against Viruses, Spyware and Other Online Threats

AOL recently launched a new anti-virus program -- called Active Virus Shield -- for all online users at no cost. Active Virus Shield offers basic protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software, AOL said in a statement.

Business-class IM offers online conferencing, collaboration and advanced multimedia

AOL has launched a version of its popular AIM Pro messaging service for businesses that provides an array of communications and collaboration tools, which features security and online meeting functions aimed at corporate users. The service, which is free for anyone to use, integrates with Microsoft Outlook's calendar and corporate directory and offers one-click access to WebEx voice and video conferencing and collaboration services.

AOL has entered the home computer security realm, offering users a look-see at Total Care, its umbrella suite of PC protection.

Internet portal AOL hopes to assuage the fears of its customers and other PC users facing a broad array of cyber threats and other technical problems with a combination security/computer troubleshooting service being launched recently in a beta version.

The new Netscape takes obvious cues from sites like del.icio.us and digg.com. But will it add up to a better browser?

Netscape users have until the end of the month to get used to the look and feel of the version that is now in beta testing. Netscape has chosen July 1st to end the beta phase and launch the new site, which takes cues from Digg.com, del.icio.us, and social-networking services.

Time Warner's Internet unit hopes its security package will boost its appeal to customers and prospects.

AOL is preparing to enter the security fray with a new software bundle that it plans to market to the general public, not just its subscribers, News.com has learned.

The online video market is exploding, and AOL this week purchased a D.C. company with expertise in placing ads in the emerging platform.

AOL LLC, signaling the importance online video will play in drawing visitors to its ad-supported Web sites, has purchased a small company that specializes in inserting advertising into video clips.

AOL of late announced that it acquired “Lightningcast,” a broadband advertising company, as the portal positions itself to cash in on the surging popularity of streaming video.

AOL will soon begin broadcasting news programs supplied by Shanghai Media Group's broadband unit, the Shanghai Company said in a statement.

AOL, the online unit of media giant Time Warner Inc., recently announced that it has formed a tie-up with China's number two media company, one of its first such pairings since it withdrew from the Chinese market in 2003.

Under their new relationship, the broadband content arm of Shanghai Media Group (SMG) will provide material for a Chinese language version of AOL.com aimed at Chinese speakers in the United States.

It's never been easy to win a fight against people who buy ink by the barrel. The same may be true about those who buy bandwidth by the terabit — as a coalition fighting Internet giant AOL discovered lately.

America Online, the world's biggest Internet service provider has apparently blocked e-mails on its servers containing links to the petition against the "CertifiedEmail" plan at DearAOL.com.

Forget the TV, tomorrow’s screen of preference will probably be the Internet, AOL chief Jonathan Miller predicted at the influential "MIPTV featuring MILIA" trade show here.

"Video consumption is exploding on-line and on-demand is going to be the dominant way to consume content," Miller said in a keynote speech that must have sent shivers down the spines of the packed audience of TV executives.

America Online lately introduced new and enhanced mobile-browsing services--as part of the company's ongoing efforts to expand its portfolio of offerings for handheld users, as the provider of online services and content competes for wireless Internet users.

According to a survey AOL conducted with the Associated Press and Pew Research Center, 52 percent of adults keep their cell phone turned on all day, everyday, and 40 percent of those aged 18-29 are likely to drop their landline once and for all. The report reveals that more than 30 percent of adults want to search and browse the Web from their cell phone, while 47 percent say that mobile maps and driving directions are a "must have" on the next phone they buy.

After years of jealously guarding access to its AOL Instant Messenger network, America Online is openly flirting with third-party developers looking to connect to its AIM service.

AOL said that it has launched Open AIM, a free developer kit that allows the creation of plug-ins, mashups and third-party applications that connect to AOL's 63 million AIM users, which analysts said was a significant move for a company that has traditionally cordoned off its services.

Ask.com lately introduced the beta versions of Ask.com France, Ask.com Italia and Ask.com Nederland, representing the company's most recent expansions in Western Europe. The beta search sites are available in each respective country at www.ask.com and can also be accessed directly from any country at: www.fr.ask.com, www.it.ask.com, and www.nl.ask.com.

Following the launch of Ask U.K. in 2001, Ask Espana in 2005 and Ask Deutschland beta in 2006, the new sites extend Ask.com's reach into the rapidly growing European search market...

Ask.com lately introduced the beta versions of Ask.com France, Ask.com Italia and Ask.com Nederland, representing the company's most recent expansions in Western Europe. The beta search sites are available in each respective country at www.ask.com and can also be accessed directly from any country at: www.fr.ask.com, www.it.ask.com, and www.nl.ask.com.

Following the launch of Ask U.K. in 2001, Ask Espana in 2005 and Ask Deutschland beta in 2006, the new sites extend Ask.com's reach into the rapidly growing European search market.

On the heels of protests last week from a group of activists led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), AOL has announced it will offer free e-mail deliverability services to qualifying not-for-profit organizations and not-for-profit advocacy groups.

Dulles, Va.-based AOL said that it will offer nonprofit organizations two new free e-mail options that possess many of the features, including images and Web links, of the company's premium service designed for commercial mass e-mail.

America Online is vowing to carry out its plans to institute fees for mass senders of e-mail, despite protests from groups representing 15 million people that claim the move will stifle communications instead of merely halting spam.

A plan by AOL and Yahoo to charge mass e-mailers a fee for guaranteed delivery of messages to subscribers has run into very vocal opposition from a consortium of nonprofit and public interest groups, including MoveOn.org Civic Action, the AFL-CIO, Gun Owners of America and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.