America Online Launches New Version - AOL 8.0

Business Wire, Oct 15, 2002

Business Editors

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2002

Biggest Upgrade in Company's History Puts Members First, Addresses

Biggest Concern With Sorting to Help Avoid Unwanted E-Mails

Highlights Include Unprecedented "Self Expression" Choices, New

Ways to Find People With Shared Interests in the AOL Community,

Parental Controls Enhancements That Offer Greater Family Safety

"Destination" Programming Schedule Delivers Original, Exclusive

Programming Daily and Even More Benefits for AOL Broadband Members

Star-Studded Event Salutes AOL Members and Community, Kicks Off

Record Breaking Marketing Campaign

America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today unveiled AOL(R) 8.0, the newest version of its convenient and easy-to-use flagship service. Reflecting AOL's unmatched focus on consumers' online experience, AOL 8.0 enhances the features that members use most often, introduces a new approach to programming that will provide more relevant and timely content throughout the day, and builds on the sense of community that has always been at the heart of AOL's popularity.

AOL 8.0 responds to consumers' most frequently-cited concern - sorting through unwanted e-mail - giving members greater control over their incoming mail with a mail sorting feature that lets them choose to view only messages from people they know. The new version also introduces a distinct new online experience for members using broadband connections, and a new premium service, AOL(R) Call Alert, that lets members on dial-up connections know when they are receiving incoming telephone calls.

Today, the Company will celebrate the launch of AOL 8.0 with a star-studded gala tribute to AOL members at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center. The event - AOL Live@Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center - will be hosted by comedian Dana Carvey with a special performance by singer Alanis Morissette and an opening performance by international recording star Laura Pausini, who will release her first English album in the U.S. on November 5. They will be joined on-stage by AOL Time Warner and America Online's senior executives in honoring AOL's members. The event will be Webcast live on AOL for all members to enjoy at AOL Keyword: Launch Event.

Among the thousands of members invited are participants in such AOL communities as the June Pregnancy Circle group of women who became pregnant around September 11 and the "Just Us" discussion group among breast cancer patients and survivors. Other member participants include members who've met on AOL and gotten married and used the service to pursue hobbies as varied as refrigerator magnet collecting and Civil War re-creations, and some of the first AOL members.

AOL began a Sneak Preview release of the AOL 8.0 software last week, letting members download the new version beginning on Wednesday October 9. Already, more than 1.5 million members have done so.

Connecting to People and Things That Matter

Jon Miller, Chairman and CEO of America Online, said: "The heart of AOL is our members' online experience, and AOL 8.0 makes it more valuable than ever before. We've made it easier for people to do what they most want to do - connect to the people and things that matter in their daily lives."

Jimmy de Castro, President, AOL Interactive Services, said: "AOL 8.0 is all about how consumers use the Internet today. We've really listened to what people have told us they liked about the service and what they'd like to see us do better. Most of all, our members asked for help sorting through the mail in their inboxes and they wanted even more opportunities to take part in the online communities that make AOL special. On both fronts, we've delivered."

More Than 100 New and Enhanced Features

AOL 8.0 contains more than 100 new and enhanced features designed in response to member feedback. Highlights include:

-- Sweeping e-mail enhancements that help members deal with unwanted e-mails by separating their incoming messages into those from people they know, recognized bulk senders and unknown senders;

-- Enhanced self-expression features, including animated Buddy Icons, a choice of new Buddy Sounds, colorful backgrounds and stationary that let members tailor the appearance of their e-mail and instant messages to reflect their personalities and moods;

-- New ways for members to share the things they love online and to find people with similar interests in the AOL community through new MatchChat(TM) and Chat Conversation Search features. In addition, Music Share(TM) is the first in a suite of AOL's new Buddy Share(TM) features for digital media;

-- A choice of the six different versions of the Welcome Screen offering distinct programming tailored to member interests and updated through the day. Choices include "Headlines, Business News and Sports," "Headlines, Latest Music, Games and Homework Help," and "Headlines Nightlife and Great Discoveries;"

-- At-a-glance settings that enhance the flexibility of Parental Controls, and a new AOL Guardian(TM) feature that allows parents to get a "report card" of their kids' online activities;

-- Alerts & Reminders features that let members receive daily news, updates, and personal reminders both online and on their mobile phone or other wireless device; and

-- Enhanced reliability through a new feature that will automatically reconnect an interrupted session and return members to the areas they were visiting.