WHO: AOL today opened beta testing for its newest software, AOL® OpenRide™ (formerly codenamed "Streamliner"), to all Web users at http://beta.aol.com.

WHAT: AOL OpenRide is the new version of AOL's client software that is designed to provide a more efficient online experience for broadband users by bringing together core Internet applications in one program.

AOL OpenRide offers a unique, automatically resizing "quad view" design that puts everything within reach - AOL® Mail, the AOL® Instant Messenger™ service and Address Book, AOL® Web Browser and a digital entertainment media center & player for music, videos and photos - making it easier to multi-task online without jumping between multiple windows.

AOL OpenRide features will include:

- A Dynasizer™, a dynamic sizer tool that helps maximize usability by letting users resize the four-pane view at any time while continuing to see what is going on in each pane, as well as drag and drop functionality between panes.

- A version of AOL Mail that gives users the ability to view all of their e-mail, including from other providers, in one mailbox, with easy control of folders to store and organize messages. AOL's industry-leading spam and anti-virus protections also help keep users' email inboxes free from junk mail and harmful viruses.

- A Media Center that is more than just a media player. The Media Center is an all-in-one digital entertainment experience integrated with the email and instant messaging applications, that makes it easy for users to enjoy their own digital photos, videos and music from one place.

- An integrated AOL Web browser that includes time-saving features such as Tabbed Browsing and Thumbnail Previews, as well as enhanced security to help keep users safer online.

The AOL OpenRide Beta software will continue to evolve and improve throughout the development and beta testing process. At this time, all features are not complete and may not yet represent their final functionality or design.

AOL OpenRide is designed as a product for Internet users with a broadband connection. The beta software requires a computer with the Microsoft® Windows XP® operating system, with a Pentium® II, 300Mhz or better processor, and 256MB+ RAM memory. The software is optimized for a computer screen resolution of 1024x768 or higher.

BETA AVAILABILITY: Open to general beta testing, the AOL OpenRide Beta is available now for anyone to download and try at http://beta.aol.com/. To test, users simply need an existing AOL® or AIM® screen name, or a new free AOL screen name that anyone can get from the Web at www.AOL.com.