AOL launches new interactive hub homepage

by Stevie Smith - May 13 2009, 16:00

AOL has this week whipped the beta covers off its new Internet homepage for the UK, which will serve as something of an interest aggregation hub for users and allow them to access multiple communication and community services from a single online location.

Officially launched on May 12, the new homepage will, according to AOL’s MediaGlow publishing division, enable users to access multiple e-mail accounts and social networking services without ever having to navigate away from AOL’s core platform.

Further to that initial point of convenience, the new hub page will also be opened to third-party services and content, which will provide users with new customisation options – while advertisers will, of course, be able to tap into the associated advantages of a more engaged audience.

“As the Web becomes more fragmented, consumers want choice and relevance in their online experience,” outlined Bill Wilson, president of MediaGlow. “Today’s beta’s launch of the new AOL UK portal builds on the tremendous success we’ve experienced in the U.S. offering consumers more choice and customization.”

The overhauled version of AOL.com was re-launched in the United States during September of 2008 and has led to a seven percent increase of overall page views and a 26 percent improvement in total minutes spent on the site year-to-year (comScore Media Metrix).

The UK beta will include the same new tools and features showcased by the U.S. re-launch, which will see users handed tighter control over their online experience, from display and design elements through to navigation, news feeds, and other aspects of social media.

Popular e-mail services supported by the new homepage include Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, and AOL, while online community sites such as Bebo, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter will also be accessible for profile activity information, friend requests and mail notifications.

Other new additions to the AOL service include, customised backgrounds with six new designs to choose from, the ability to add Web links so users can easily gravitate toward their favourite sites, drag and drop channel navigation, RSS feeds, and leading market quotes and a global stock finder.

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