aol desktop
AOL Desktop is a suite powered by AOL that facilitates access to web browsing, emailing and IM conversations, all from the same interface.
The initiative is not bad, yet neither unique. We’ve seen this type of endeavour many times before, one of them being the old AOL Suite, which was fueled by the same kind of principle that AOL Desktop has running under its hood.
The upsides of AOL Desktop compared to the old suite are a more modern appearance, better performance and a different approach in functionality. It integrates an instant messaging client, an email component and a web browser, with more focus on the latter more than anything else.
While the IM and mail features require authentication with AOL credentials, the browser functions independently, thereby you will be able to use it as a regular navigator if you don’t have an AOL account.
The browser provides access to a wide array of built-in links to weather, sports, news, finances, TV, entertainment and radio, to name just a few. The download manager allows you to track the progress of downloads, while the parental control module allows you to protect your kids from inappropriate content.
Your inbox can be managed with the aid of the dedicated utilities, which allows you to read, write and block emails, as well as to keep tabs on your address book.
You can communicate with friends and family using the instant messenger that enables you to send and receive messages in real time, with a generous collection of emoticons to cheer up the conversations.
The text pane has automatic spell-check to help you avoid embarrassing typos and instant translation to tackle the problem of language barriers. Like all email clients, you can attach documents such as photos, videos, and music to send to other email addresses. If the files you want to attach are too large, you can link them from your preferred cloud storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, or ownCloud).
You can send and receive encrypted emails and protect your privacy with the PGP encryption program. You can use the eM Keybook to upload your private keys and look up recipients' keys. Another way this software ensures privacy is by blocking mail tracking pixels, letting you read a message in peace without alerting the sender of your activity.
Every email you receive should register in your Inbox. If eM Client flags anyone as spam, it’ll automatically enter the Junk folder.
eM Client provides complementary tools to manage your schedule, including a calendar and to-do list for task management. The app’s calendar has a pretty attractive interface that makes it easy and appealing to use.
Mention AOL these days and you’ll usually hear some strong feelings in response. Sometimes you’ll hear a sense of nostalgia. Other times you’ll hear some combination of mockery and shock that it still exists. But for so many of our clients, AOL continues to be an essential and user-friendly pathway to the technological world. The most important aspect of that has always been the AOL Desktop software. For years it’s provided a consistent screen interface and an alternative to the confusing layout changes often imposed by other free e-mail providers.
eM Client includes a tool that lets users manage contracts. With it, you can store contacts, browse them in various views, and view the communication history for each one. There are numerous data fields available to help you keep detailed contact records.
Verdict
However, despite bundling such an extensive feature set, we were not at all impressed with the application’s behavior. The most disappointing of all is the browser; it is overcrowded with unnecessary components and links that no longer work, making the overall experience uncomfortable.
