Q: What is this new feature?
A: AOL is now providing the ability to get a preview of other email provider email messages just as you have been able to do for AOL. Right from AOL.com, you can access your email accounts from AOL, Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail. You will see the panels expand and provide the step by step process to access your email.
Q: Why would AOL want to give us access to Yahoo and other external email sites? Is this some sort of trick?
A: Not at all. We've been listening to our customers and understand that people often have more than one email address. We want to provide a homepage that is useful in getting you what you need, and access to other email is one feature that is frequently requested.
Q: I used to have other stuff in this area that I liked. How do I get it back?
A: In order to showcase this new feature, we are displaying the Yahoo mail and Gmail Preview Panels to our users as the default. However, if this is feature is of no interest to you, you can change your options by clicking on the small arrow in the upper right corner of the Panel. From there you will see a number of other options that you can choose from. Once you make your choice, your computer will remember it each time you return. And you can always change your choices any time or as often as you would like.
Q: I can get Yahoo and Gmail, but why can't I access my Hotmail the same way?
A: We'd love to give you access to Hotmail as well, but unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't currently provide this preview functionality. But we are working with them closely so if and when they do offer it, we will integrate it. In the meantime, we have provided a button that will link you out to Hotmail to make it easier for you to get there. Feel free to send feedback to Microsoft, letting them know you'd like to be able to do this on AOL. https://feedback.live.com/default.aspx?mkt=en-us&productkey=wlmail&scrx=1
Q: Can I delete messages from the Preview Panel?
A: No, the preview panel only allows for a preview of the message. When you click on it, you will be taken to the actual message on the provider's service where you will be able to reply, forward, or delete just as you normally would.
Q: If I set-up Yahoo or Gmail, does that mean I wont be able to get a preview of my AOL mail any more?
A: No it doesn't. You can set up accounts with all three in three different Panels and will be able to easily get previews of all your emails.
Q: Is AOL capturing and storing my password and login information?
A: No we are not. Any login information is encrypted and is not used for any other purpose than logging you into your email.
Q: Do I have to sign in to AOL to use this feature?
A: No you don't. You can set-up your other emails without having to sign in to AOL.
Q: I don't have an AOL email addresses, can I remove that mail preview?
A: Yes! If you don't have an AOL email address (or Yahoo or Gmail for that matter) you can use the dropdown in the upper corner to find something that is more useful to you. Of course you can always signup for a free AOL email account at http://mail.aol.com, or a new Tunome account (http://www.tunome.com) to get a free personalized email address
Q: I have more than one email address with a certain provider? Can I set up two different panels for each?
A: At this time, you can only check a single AOL, Yahoo, or Gmail account at a time, but were looking into adding the ability to check multiple email accounts. You can always re-sign in with a new username if you want to switch accounts.
Q: I have another non-AOL email that's not Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail. Is there a way I can access that too?
A: You are currently limited to these choices but if there's one you'd really like to see please leave us a comment with your feedback.
Q: I'm getting an error that you are temporarily unable to retrieve my mail. What does this mean?
A: Sometimes there is a technical issue and something breaks that prevents us from getting you the information you are looking for. Your best bet is to wait for a minute or two and then try again. You will have a link at the bottom of the panel link off directly to your mailbox if you get tired of waiting. Of course if you find you are consistently having problems after waiting and trying multiple times, let us know!
Reader CommentsRSS
Judgesmith2008
Oct 5th 2008, 12:31PM
I am disturbed by your appparent bias toward the Obama campaign. Yesterday Obama made a disturbingly disparaging remark about Governor Palin, and Biden questioned her true concern for special needs kids. Today your main feature insists that Palin is sticking to a script, and the only two articles about pending legislation refer to purportedly laudible efforts by the Dems being thwarted by the GOP. I am dissapointed, but not surprised. Get Real!
A1mom7x
Sep 11th 2008, 5:40PM
I would like to know how to get rid of those horrible ads that come on my computer whether I want them or not. My vision is not that great and I don't appreciate letters twice as big on ads saying YELLOW TEETH when reading the other printings is enough work. I pay for a service and if I want to find something in the way of a new service I will look it up myself. Also annoying are the mortgage rates that no one ever questioned and the companies advertising were honest or not. I know your philosophy is a buck is a buck---I don't see how I must watch all this on my small screen.
sossi Kevorkian
Sep 10th 2008, 7:55PM
ALL LOOKS GREAT, ONE CATCH, I DID NOT SEE, ALL THE OTHERS ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO USE THEIR EMAIL, AOL IS NOT.
WHERE IS THE CATCH ON THIS ISSUE? WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU. GIVE ME EACH ONE'S MONTHLY COST, AND YOU GUYS HAVE MADE A PACKAGE FEE? OR IT'S ADDED FREE TO THE CURRENT AOL.
SOSSI KEVORKIAN
CURRENT ON THE ROAD TRAVELING
shannon
Sep 11th 2008, 11:00AM
I realize that I can't get an hotmail account but when i click on the feedback link it gives me an error message.
Are all of these features that are added to AOL free?
me
Oct 24th 2008, 7:13PM
yes they r! i mean, y would i even have an acounnt here?well, i'm new so i don't know how 2 actcess all theese things, so i'm petty sure!but my bro hooked me up on this, so i'm going 2 have 2 ask him.but make an acounnt and u will b toatally hooked up!
thx 4 asking!
m.
rjgx
Sep 13th 2008, 1:49PM
As always, AOL has provided a good idea with bad follow through. Don't you realize people may not have these new email access choices already listed as a default? I've pulled down the drop down menu and they are NOT listed. Where's the explanation on how to load them? Please, stop being such an opaque provider and provide details and easy info links for newbies and techno-geeks alike. You will develop a more loyal, satisfied following if you do. One caveat though, if this is a Windows/Vista only feature not for the Mac OS and you failed to mention it and wasted my time, I'm through with AOL.
mary
Sep 24th 2008, 11:58PM
when A.O.L.had this deal about 3-4 yrs ago that you buy the computer, printer and screen, i bought it.but now when iturn it on,the A.O.L. screen is on and is telling me to use their stuff.if i have R.R. how can i do that?
cel5moose
Sep 15th 2008, 11:49AM
Does anybody know when Webster, Tx. evacuees,can go back home? ?
I evacuated from Webster,Tx.,from hurricane Ike on Thursday. I am trying desperately to find out a website,number, or anything with information about when "Webster, Tx." evacuees can go back home.I have already looked at the Webster website and they didn't give me too much information. Multiple people have said they heard that Webster, Tx. can go back home,but where are they getting that idea from?If anybody has some useful information,I would highly appreciate it!Thank you for your time.
amar
Sep 18th 2008, 5:38AM
How u have implemented this functionality
egananap
Sep 18th 2008, 9:43AM
Why do I have to reset back to basic version every time I check my email. It seems to revert to standard version every time I check my mail
Lis
Oct 24th 2008, 8:47AM
This same thing happens to me. I have AOL Vista (which I regret) and it refuses to work under standard, also; however, it ALWAYS shows up this way. What a PAIN. I think it has something to do with me continuing to "FAIL" after attempting to update Windows Vista Service Pack I. Another computer "literate" blonde! LOL HELP! PLEASE!
mmyrtlebeach@aol.com
Sep 18th 2008, 10:39PM
a few days ago i had amy address book. now when i put the pointer on ''fwd'' the address' are not there anymore. where would they have gone? how can i get them back? i'm lost without them. please reply asap. regards, LOU
barbchewey
Sep 19th 2008, 11:29AM
Why do I have to log in every time I want to check my mail, this just started a few days ago. Whenever I wanted to check my mail before it would take me right to my new mail , now it takes me to the log in page. How do I make it go back to the way it was?
Tracy
Sep 22nd 2008, 11:42PM
Let me get this right: I have to sign on, check my email, sign off, then sign on again to check the mail for each of my screen names on AOL? Tell me it ain't so!
orheretoconvertathesistsintobelievers
Sep 23rd 2008, 4:42AM
DON'T DO THIS!!!!!!!!
George Orwell took care of this issue with one book-1984.
YAHOO will not work with people whose accounts have been hacked and I can say this because they're where I want to wok.
Please stop trifling with these people AOL.
Your time as a internet power is over and you need to EXIT everything but AIM because nobody really cares anymore.
Judgessmith 2008 is
RIGHT on the money.
Let's just think,
What would Sarah Palin do?
sabamonti
Sep 23rd 2008, 10:24PM
When I try to open my Contact List (Address Book)...I receive
"error report with loading." The contact list no longer
exists. Is there anything I can do to restore my list of
contacts?
Joan
Sep 24th 2008, 5:31AM
I have been unable to access my AOL e-mail for 2 days...error message: The Technical Stuff:
Error Code: C0FE1801
Report ID: 10199-webmail-20080924-092300
I can't find a phone number to contact AOL anywhere. What can I do?? It doesn't do any good to e-mail me, because I can't see it!!
LYNN
Oct 25th 2008, 2:03PM
I HEAR U, ALSO WHY CANT I GET MY ADDRESS BOOK TO SHOW WHEN I'M READING MY MAIL AND WANT TO FIND AN ADDRESS TO REPLY? ANYONE ??
mary
Sep 26th 2008, 2:13AM
could you refresh my memory why i wrote this to you?
egananap
Sep 25th 2008, 10:02AM
Every goddamn time I check my email I have to change from standard to basic email EVERYTIME. Now all I get is some F*ing sticking tongue out or some other stupid picture. All I use AOL for is my email. If I can't get that I might as well get it from another provider. Could some please let me know what's going on?