Free Internet Tv 4.0

America Online Monday announced that its consumer launch of the Final Version of AOL 4.0 for Windows will culminate with the mailing of millions of free CD-ROMs to members and potential members over the next three months.

AOL 4.0 - "The Next AOL" - offers a host of new features and enhancements that take the AOL service to the next level of industry-leading value, convenience and ease-of-use.

AOL is also putting in place an aggressive marketing campaign to build momentum around the 4.0 CD-ROM release. The Company says that, throughout the fall, it will distribute millions of CDs by mail and with a wide range of consumer products, services and venues from bank kiosks to restaurants to magazines.

AOL is also initiating a multi-million dollar brand-building advertising campaign to support the AOL 4.0 launch.

AOL 4.0 is experiencing the fastest adoption rate of any software in the company's history - online users have downloaded millions of copies of 4.0, and AOL 4.0 now accounts for more than 50 percent of member usage time on the service.

In addition, initial member response regarding AOL 4.0 has been overwhelmingly positive and 97% of members using the product say they are satisfied or very satisfied with the product.

Bob Pittman, President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online, Inc., said: "It is our goal to make AOL as central to people's lives as the telephone and the television. This next-generation software makes AOL and the Internet even easier, more convenient, more reliable and above all, more fun."

Mr. Pittman added: "We've seen extraordinary acceptance of the product from our members and we are excited to be making 4.0 available on CD-ROM to potential members as well. With 4.0, AOL widens the gap as the best value in cyberspace, appealing to everyone from the most advanced Web veteran to the newest online user."

The Company said that user input played an invaluable role throughout the development and the rollout of the AOL 4.0 product.

AOL analyzed the top 50 reasons that members called AOL customer service representatives for assistance; surveyed tens of thousands of members and prospective members - online, via phone, and in person - for opinions on how to improve the online experience; and enlisted its members to test the 4.0 product prior to its release.

Barry Schuler, President of AOL Interactive Services said: "Throughout the 4.0 development process, we asked people what they wanted in their online experience. This product is user-tested and user-driven and as a result is the most user-friendly software product in cyberspace."

Mr. Schuler continued: "AOL 4.0 is the same AOL people know and love with a whole new look and terrific new features. There are more than 150 technology enhancements built-in, including exciting improvements to e-mail, easier navigation and the ability to switch screen names without logging off. AOL 4.0 improves the online experience for existing members and gives everyone who hasn't logged on yet more reason than ever to do so."

AOL members can upgrade to the Final Version of AOL 4.0 by installing the easy-to-use AOL 4.0 CD they receive in the mail or by downloading it online at AOL KEYWORD: Upgrade. AOL 4.0 will also be available to other consumers on CD-ROM or by download at AOL.COM.

A Multi-Million Dollar Integrated Marketing and Advertising Campaign Reinforcing the distribution of the AOL 4.0 CD-ROMs, AOL is launching a marketing and advertising campaign encouraging consumers to upgrade to AOL 4.0. As part of this campaign, AOL will integrate online promotions and innovative marketing with a full-scale brand advertising campaign.

Jan Brandt, President of AOL Marketing said: "The initial response to AOL 4.0 has been truly amazing. We've never seen anything like it. Millions of people have already downloaded the software online.

"Soon they will be available just about everywhere people can be found - from bank kiosks to grocery stores to airplanes to magazines and newspapers. If you haven't run into an AOL CD yet, chances are you will soon - our goal is to make AOL as easy to find as it is to use."

Ms. Brandt added: "The number one reason people are buying computers is to go online - and we want to make it as easy for people to get connected with AOL 4.0 as possible. These millions of CDs we are mailing - equipped with the Smart Installer that automatically configures your computer for 4.0 - can get you up and connected to AOL and the Internet in just 15 minutes."

AOL is launching a multi-million dollar brand-building advertising campaign to support the product. As part of this campaign, AOL is advertising on broadcast TV, cable TV, radio and in print.

As an online promotion, AOL partner Cendant will launch on October 20 "AOL 4.0 Upgrade Sweeps," an online contest to encourage AOL members to upgrade to 4.0. Members can qualify to win tens of thousands of dollars in cash and weekly prizes. America Online also plans to promote this 4.0 CD launch using its AOL Balloon and the AOL 4.0 NASCAR racer as they tour the U.S. throughout the fall and winter.

AOL 4.0 Benefits AOL 4.0 completes the "Next AOL" - which began with the introduction of a New Channel Lineup last fall - by offering a whole new look and feel, as well as new features and enhancements that make AOL and the Internet not only more convenient, but faster, more interactive, more customizable and more dynamic than ever before.

Feedback from the millions of members who have already upgraded to the Final Version of AOL 4.0 reveals that many of the features are proving extraordinarily popular. These features include:

More robust e-mail and personal communications: E-mail - AOL's most popular feature with more than 34 million sent and received every day - is even more robust and exciting with a host of new convenience features. These include the ability to:

o spell and grammar check e-mail; o format e-mail with different fonts; o attach multiple files to e-mail; o alphabetize address books, as well as add personal data and even photos; o insert images and pictures directly into e-mail, rather than as attachments; and o send Favorite Places links in e-mail or instant messages.

Additionally, members are able to compose personalized electronic greeting cards; add color and special typefaces in live chat text; add an unlimited number of messages to message boards and create links to topics, subjects or posts; and easily create and edit personal web pages in just 60 seconds.

A single, integrated toolbar offering more efficient navigation around AOL and the Web: Members only have to enter an address, whether on the AOL service or the Internet, and the new toolbar will transport them directly to the site.

The new toolbar also offers the ability to page back and forth to sites visited, whether on the AOL service or the Internet, as well as a dropdown list of the last 25 sites visited on the service or the Web. And it is fully customizable.

More convenient screen names: Once online, members can switch back and forth among the five screen names without signing off and on.

Easier installation and access: AOL 4.0 makes getting on and around easier from the very start, with a streamlined registration procedure, multi-redial capability, a more dynamic Welcome Screen and a printable Quick Reference Guide.

The Smart Installer, available on 4.0 CDs, automatically reads computer system configurations and makes the CD installation process easier so that users can load the software and connect to the service within 15 minutes.

The latest multimedia and browser technology with streaming multimedia: The AOL 4.0 CD includes Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 as the integrated Web browser and ActiveX (for Windows 95 and Windows 98 users) - making areas on the AOL service and Web sites come to life using multimedia effects, interactive objects and sophisticated applications. Macromedia Shockwave Director & Flash and Real Networks Real Player 5.0 are also included for Windows95, Windows 3.1 and Mac users. (Mac 68K users only receive Shockwave features.)

With the AOL 4.0 CD users can easily install the following ActiveX controls and plug-ins:

o JFax -- This feature allows members to get their voicemail and faxes in e-mail instantly via a personal phone number from JFAX.COM.

o Real Player by Real Networks

o Real Player lets users experience what's on the Internet from live sports to music, news, and radio to entertainment and live events using industry-leading RealAudio and RealVideo streaming technologies.

o Shockwave Essentials by Macromedia

o AOL 4.0 CD-ROM provides both Shockwave Director (player for rich multimedia, games, and streaming audio), and Shockwave Flash (player for small and fast Web animations) players in one easy download package.

Powerful security features, including a more secure sign-on and transmission of data: AOL 4.0's state-of-the-art web security browser gives users more secure Internet communications and allows passwording of the personal file cabinet.

4.0 Availability and System Requirements The Final Version of AOL 4.0 has been available for downloading online since July 30, 1998. System requirements are as follows:

o Windows 3.1 (16-bit) System Requirements: o 16 megabyte system configuration o 486-class or higher PC o 30 megabytes available hard disk space (If MSIE 4.01 SP1 is installed, up to 90 megabytes hard-drive space may be required) o 640 x 480, 256 colors or better resolution screen (optimized for 800 x 600) o 14.4 KBPS or faster modem o Windows 95 (32-bit) or Windows 98 System Requirements: o 16 megabyte system configuration o Pentium-class PC o 30 megabytes available hard-disk space o 640 x 480, 256 colors or better resolution screen (optimized for 800 x 600) o 14.4 KBPS or faster modem o Macintosh System Requirements: (See Below) o 16 megabyte system configuration o System 7.1 minimum o

68040 or Better Macintosh o 30 megabytes available hard-disk space o 640 x 480, 256 colors or better screen o 14.4 KBPS or faster modem

(AOL 4.0 for Macintosh is In Preview - Final Version release expected later this year)

America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in branded interactive services and content. America Online, Inc. operates two worldwide Internet online services: America Online, with more than 13 million members; and CompuServe, with approximately 2 million members.

America Online, Inc. also operates AOL Studios, the world's leading creator of original interactive content.

COPYRIGHT 1998 EDGE Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

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