AOL backs Mac with OS X update

By Margaret Kane

America Online has released a new version of its internet access software designed for Apple's Mac OS X operating system.

New features in AOL for Mac OS X include a message counter that displays the number of new emails and instant messages on the AOL icon in the Mac OS X Dock; support for e-mail with rich HTML (hypertext mark-up language) features; a new search service; and a new welcome screen with one-click access to email.

The software integrates Netscape Communication's Gecko browser and supports Apple's QuickTime media player. It also supports Apple's iChat messaging program and will allow users of iChat and AOL Instant Messenger to communicate with one another.

That's something of a departure for AOL, which has been cautious about opening up AIM to other messaging systems.

AOL released a preview version of its upcoming AOL 8.0 for Windows-based operating systems last month. It's officially expected to be released in the autumn.

Margaret Kane writes for News.com