AOL Tablet-Optimized Version for iPad Users

RMN Digital | February 17, 2012 | Americas, Applications, Consumer, Corporate, Enterprise, Lifestyle, Masses, Mobiles, Regions, Strategy, Tablets | No Comments

AOL has unveiled a tablet-optimized version of AOL.com for iPad users. The new site, available by visiting aol.com from any iPad, was built using HTML5 to enable an app-like experience along with an updated layout that makes it easy to interact with content from across the AOL network with the swipe of a finger.

Additional HTML5 features enable users to listen to music, watch videos and even preview messages from AOL Mail all within AOL.com.

Meanwhile, making deeper inroads in the online universe, rival Microsoft said that msnNOW, a new service from MSN, is the first such service to surface the latest buzz from Facebook, Twitter, Bing and BreakingNews.com, all in one place.

The software company says msnNOW cuts through the clutter of the Web, providing an up-to-the-minute view of breaking trends and the hottest social conversations, what people are saying about them, and why they matter. (Read: MSN Launches msnNOW with Facebook, Twitter Link)

“AOL.com is America’s Homepage, so it is no surprise that we’re seeing triple digit growth in our iPad audience,” said Chris Grosso, GM, AOL.com. “We’ve re-imagined our iPad homepage experience in an exciting new way that reflects the way AOL users utilize the page on the tablet.”

[ Also Read: Can an Android Tablet Work as a Computer Monitor? ]

Starting Thursday, Feb. 16, users who to go the site from their iPad will see a new card-like design that provides an easy and fun way to browse through more of AOL’s content including Top News, Local and Entertainment headlines without having to leave the page.

Other notable features include the ability to:

Location enabled services make it easy to automatically see your local Weather forecast
Sign into your AOL Mail account to see up to 20 previews of your latest unread messages, view full messages or compose a new email
Check out the latest MP3 of the day from AOL Music and play it in-line with continuous play of all 20 available MP3s
Get your daily Horoscope
View movie listings from Moviefone

“AOL already has a number of iPad and tablet apps available for users, but this is our first tablet specific mobile web experience,” said David Temkin, senior VP of Mobile at AOL. “This launch is specific to the iPad, but we are in the process of building a similar experience for other tablet devices.”

Programming on the new homepage includes breaking news from across the AOL network, local news, top news from Huffington Post, ease to play slideshows and videos, Coming Soon movies listings from Moviefone and frequent breaking news and feature updates throughout the day, says the company.