HWiNFO 5.22

* Lifestream! This is big. Keep tabs on what's going on with your buddies. We've added a convenient "Lifestream" tab to the Buddy List. There is so much to check out:
o Get AIM activities like status updates.
o Got friends on other networks? Add your Facebook or Twitter services and never miss an update.
o You can add your YouTube or Delicious accounts too.
o Leave a comment, like an item. Obviously, if your friends don't have the beta they won't know about the Lifestream so if you want to try out commenting back and forth with someone make sure they have the beta too.
o See only what you want, try out the handy filtering tool at the top of your Lifestream tab.
o Share photos on your lifestream. Look for Photos section on the right of the page and start uploading.
o Test out the rest of the site, including adding services (click settings at the top of your page), filtering, and more.
* Me tab. The "Me" tab is a companion to the Lifestream that lets you know when people leave you comments or "like" your updates. We've got a lot of work to do here, so be sure to check out Known Issues.
* Colors/Themes for AIM! We're listening to your feedback and this was something a lot of beta testers wanted. We agree that one color for the buddy list is boring and we think you'll find the new themes even better than the themes we had in the past.
* Saved Away Messages. We heard the community loud and clear on this one. People like their saved away messages. They are back!
* Better Buddy Info. Buddy Info now includes lifestream.
* Improved Conversation Bubbles. You can now choose between "modern" or "classic" mode for your conversation text. We improved the modern mode greatly in this beta.

* New look and feel! We've got a redesigned user interface that we think you'll love.
* Better performance. We've been under the hood tweaking the software to make it run faster and use less of your PC's resources.
* Bigger buddy icons! What's not to love about that?
* Buddy icon cropper. Click on your icon near the top of your buddy list and you can pick a picture off of your PC and zoom in on your face for a great buddy icon.
* Big status entry area. We make it really easy to see your current status message. Also, when you change from online to away we'll put your cursor in the status message so you can tell people what you're up to.
* New advertisement size and placement. We think the new ad fits better in the buddy list and hope you agree.

This update to the Beta 4 release only resolves a minor issue with one particular method of upgrade notification. We encourage updating to this build as soon as possible.

* Find out whether the friends you email are already on AIM
o We've added a first launch experience that lets you search a handful of major email services for Buddies. Also access this feature under the Buddy List set up icon > Import Buddies.
o Don't forget to complete Step 1. Enter or update your email address so your friends can find you.
o A handy look up has also been added to the Add Buddy window. Search for a single email then add the sender to your Buddy List in just a few clicks. Also access this feature under the Buddy List set up icon > Search for a Buddy.
o Manage your "searchability" anytime in Edit > Settings > Privacy.
* Follow your friends' updates and let your friends follow you
o Share what you've been doing on your favorite sites with your AIM Buddies. Add services like Twitter, Flickr and Facebook, and your Buddies will be notified when you have a new item with an icon next to your Screen Name on their Buddy List. Popular feeds like Flickr and Twitter can be set up on from Edit > Buddy Info or go straight to http://buddyupdates.com.
o Additional feeds from Facebook and MySpace can be set up from your Bebo Profile Home > Edit Lifestream.
* Experience a richer Buddy Info
o Say cheese. Personalize your Buddy Info with your best pic. Start at Edit > Buddy Info and add your favorite shot.
o Check out the design changes to the status display and additional buttons to easily add a Buddy, send a profile friend request and more.

* Sleek new design: New buttons, new layout, new color, new brand! Tell us what you think of our shiny gold look and the new layout.
* Profiles, profiles, profiles: Connect with your buddies like never before. Customize your profile, get updates from other social networks, and more. Now, you'll never miss an update on AIM.
o If you had an AIM Profile, we're migrating Profiles over to Bebo; if you never set one up, it's easy. Just select Edit > My Profile to get started.
o Never miss a friend request! Get notified of new Bebo friend requests at the top of your Buddy List®.
o Get pop up notifications when Bebo friends add comments and photos. Be sure to test the preference under notifications to manage their display.
o Seamlessly add a buddy to Bebo when you add them to AIM.
+ Select Add Buddy from the Buddy List Set Up icon at the top of your Buddy List.
+ Add a screen name -- you have to tab out or select another field before the add as a Bebo friend will display (the fade in feature is temporary).
+ Save your updates and your friend request will be auto-magically sent.
o Access your buddy's profile by hovering over them on the Buddy List. If your buddy has a profile, "View profile..." will be available.
o Don't forget to check out functionality to send friend requests and view profiles available by right mouse clicking on a buddy's screen name.
* Status messages in the IM: Check out the enhanced status/away in the IM form. We've cleaned up the noise and now display status/away messages in the IM history.
o Green is online, yellow is away, grey is offline, blue is mobile.
o You'll see similar color updates made when you change your own state from the Buddy List and on Buddy Info.
* :) Emoticons: You asked, we answered... Finally, an option to display emoticons as text instead of images. Test the preference under Edit > Settings > Expressions.
* AIM Blast: IM your friends, coworkers, or customers all at once, and all from the convenience of your Buddy List.
o Select "Create Blast Group..." under your View menu to set up a group and get started.
o To manage changes to that group, highlight the group on your Buddy List and select "Manage Blast Group..." under the same menu.
* Never miss a new Beta: Check the preference under Edit > Settings > Notifications, and you'll receive an update on your Buddy List the next time we have new Beta software to test.
* Plugins: We've added a helpful tip about the plugin feature we added with AIM 6.8.
o Look for it at the bottom of your Buddy List the second time you log in.
o It will fade in after a delay, so be patient.
* All the good stuff from AIM 6.9 Betas 1 and 2: Sign in as invisible, Ctrl + F to search your Buddy List, Search the web from the IM window. Please continue to test these features.

AIM 6.9 Beta 2 has arrived, and it's packed full of updates! You asked, we answered -- sign in as invisible is now available for testing, plus check out our new design and much more. Get details on what's new for testing below.

* Sign in as invisible: Sign into AIM without letting your buddies know. You can see your buddies online, but they won't be able to see you. As always, you can IM them at anytime to give up your secret. To become available to all your buddies, click the closed eyeball icon on your Buddy List®.
* New sleek, light weight design: Let us know what you think of the new colors, new buttons and overall look and feel. We've been busy removing those menus you don't use too.
* Manage your Buddy List: We're giving you back more Buddy List® real estate. Find buddies in your list is now collapsed. Reveal it when you need it by selecting the keyboard keys Ctrl + f.
* Search the Web from your IM: Chatting with your bud and want to get more info on something you're talking about? Enter your keyword or phrase into the search input field at the top of your window and AIM Search results will be at your fingertips.
* New welcome screen: We're still working out some bugs and working on updates to our new welcome screen. Continue to test this from Beta 1 and stay on top of the latest movie, music, sports and celebrity gossip.

August 14, 2008 - AIM 6.9 Beta 1 is now available!
AIM Zones Beta Image

Hey testers, here it is... the first public beta of AIM 6.9! This release includes a new welcome screen "AIM Zones" and an update to report unwanted IMs. In addition, we have made some additional enhancements to the plugin area created for AIM 6.8. See details below.

* New welcome screen - TMZ, Moviefone, Sports and more! Choose the default tab you like most. Test setting the default tab, clicking on the links, and let us know what you think of the new content.
* Report a threatening IM - At AOL, we want to ensure your safety online. We've added an additional layer of protection, the ability to report abusive and threatening IMs. Now, we DON'T want you to test this feature, reporting is now live and anyone you report will be investigated and blocked!
* Plugin updates - We've been busy making enhancements to the AIM 6.8 plugins updates:
o Ratings on the "Top Picks" screen (access from Get More on the Buddy List®)
o Installed indicator on the "Top Picks" screen (access from Get More on the Buddy List®)
o Slider only appears if you have more than one row of plugins