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Yahoo and AOL suddenly close to merging?
Yahoo's done its best to fend off Microsoft's aggressive advances until now, but it suddenly looks like the struggling company might be getting some help -- both the Wall Street Journal and Reuters are reporting that the Yahoo is "closing in" on a deal to merge with Time Warner's AOL division and partner up with Google on search advertising. Yeah, that's pretty major, and it would probably do something about those declining shares Microsoft's been making noise about. The idea is for Time Warner to sell AOL to Yahoo and make a large investment in the new company, which would probably be valued at around $10B. There's apparently a lot of work left to do on the deal, and it would still have to be approved by Yahoo and Time Warner shareholders, but it looks like Yahoo is no longer stuck taking Ballmer and Co. to the dance.[Disclosure: Look up to the right. See that? Yeah, Engadget is owned by AOL -- but trust us, we have no idea what's going on.]Read - WSJ articleRead - Reuters article
No more winter nights for Stormfront Studios
Bay Area game developer Stormfront Studios is closing its doors after 20 years of operation.This is an unfortunate turn of events in the video game industry -- especially the MMO sector -- because in 1991 Stormfront produced the very first graphical online RPG, Neverwinter Nights. The company was helmed by Don Daglow, an esteemed developer who created arguably the first ever computer RPG. That game was called Dungeon, and it operated on the PDP-10 mainframe in the mid-late 1970s.We're sad to see a studio of such pedigree go. We just waxed nostalgic about Neverwinter Nights on Monday, so we're a bit shocked to see the group behind it bite the dust. NWN was shut down long ago, but its influence -- and therefore, Stormfront's influence -- is undeniable. It was even even honored at the Tech & Engineering Emmy Awards in January. We wish Daglow and the other folks at Stormfront success in whatever lies ahead for each of them.[Via Joystiq]
What do you think of HKO Insider?
We're a good part of the way through our first day here at HKO Insider, so we figured now might be a good time to get some feedback from the community about what you think of the new focus of our site. Do you miss the green forests of Ashenvale or are you sold on Sanriotown? Is class QQing sounding pretty good to you right about now or are you krazy for Keroppi?Our overlords at AOL directed us this morning to switch focus to a more popular MMO (since Wrath of the Lich King doesn't even have a release date yet), and some of our readers (and, frankly, writers) are a little uncomfortable with the change. But what do you think?%Poll-11998%Choose your opinion in the poll above (and post a comment below, if you like), and let us know what you think about the changeover to cover Hello Kitty Online 24/7 instead of our usual World of Warcraft coverage.
Announcement: WoW Insider is now HKO Insider
We've got an exciting new direction to announce here today on WoW Insider. Because patch 2.4 has just released, and information about Wrath of the Lich King, the next expansion, is pretty much nonexistent (we haven't even been told a release date by Blizzard yet), AOL, the company that owns the Weblogs, Inc. network of blogs, of which WoW Insider is a part, has determined that instead of covering World of Warcraft every day, we will now be covering a new, surely more exciting and surely soon to be more popular massively multiplayer online game.Yes, starting today, WoW Insider is becoming HKO Insider, and instead of WoW, we will be covering the very popular MMO Hello Kitty Online. With no changes at all coming to Azeroth anytime soon, it's time to say goodbye to the Barrens and Stormwind, and "hello" to Hello Kitty, Sanriotown, and the entrancing world of the Flower Kingdom. Playing with Illidan and Kael'thas was fun for a while, but now HKO Insider will bring our daily insight and coverage to the world of Badtz-Maru and Keroppi. Want guides on how to make your garden grow, or the best way to PvP against the My Melody class? They'll be right here on HKO Insider.All of your favorite WoW Insider features -- Know Your Lore, Moviewatch, Shifting Perspectives, and 15 Minutes of Fame, are all here (and you'll be able to see them posted later today). But instead of covering World of Warcraft, all of our writers, whether they like it or not, will be covering Hello Kitty Online from now on.Please enjoy the new focus of the site, and thanks for reading as always. While Hello Kitty Online is still in closed beta, we're almost sure it'll come out before Wrath of the Lich King, and we've been asked to point our site towards the real MMO winner of the year in 2008.
Massively's Visual History of MMORPGs, Part I
The MMORPG genre has come so far in these past few decades, it's almost difficult to believe. The journey from text MUDs to America Online-based dungeon crawlers, and all the way up to Age of Conan and Warhammer Online has been a truly impressive one. We here at Massively would like to invite you to step into the time machine with us and take a visual tour of that journey. We're taking a close look at the most important titles in online role-playing game history!What was the first MUD? Howabout the first 3D MMO? When did these games transition from niche curiosities to global, cultural phenomenons, and who's responsible? In this series, we'll tackle all those questions and more. Plus, we'll see just how far these fancy graphics have come over the years! Sound like fun? Jump into the gallery!%Gallery-19479%
CES 2008: NATAS honors Stormfront for original Neverwinter Nights
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, or NATAS for those short of breath, has given us reason to pause and wax nostalgic over our gaming past by honoring the first graphical MMO, Stormfront Studios' original Neverwinter Nights, which ran over America Online from 1991 through 1997. The game is positively archaic by today's standards, but nonetheless laid the groundwork for much of what we know as MMORPGS today, and of course went on to inspire BioWare's own Neverwinter Nights franchise as well. Bugbears, they would be proud.The nod was made during the 59th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards ceremony at the CES in Las Vegas, an event which also tipped its hat to Everquest's Sony Online Entertainment and World of Warcraft's Blizzard for helping to spearhead the MMO genre. Don Daglow, who led Neverwinter Nights' design, accepted the award, and commented that "these games are not just entertainment...they build new kinds of communities and create deep people-to-people relationships." Or, you know, furry-to-people, for those who swing that way.
Video game giants awarded at CES 2008
Several video games and their respective creators were honored at the fifty-ninth Annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards at CES 2008 in Las Vegas. The awards spotlighted some of the most groundbreaking titles in development of massively multiplayer online graphical role playing games as well as user generated content or game mods. The winners of the first category for development of MMORPGs were Sony Online Entertainment for Everquest (Laura Naviaux), Blizzard for World of Warcraft (Mike Morhaime) and AOL/Time Warner for Neverwinter Nights (Don Daglow).And the winners of the second category for user generated content/game modification were EA for Pinball Construction (Bill Budge), Id Software for Quake (John Carmack) and Linden Lab for Second Life (Philip Rosedale).Pictured from left to right: Daglow, Budge, Carmack, Naviaux, Rosedale, MorhaimeWe really only have just one thing to mention. If you're the representative of a multi-billion-dollar international corporation like Activision Blizzard, shouldn't you consider something other than raiding your dad's closet for a 1970's brown polyester suit? Although, only really rich people can afford to look broke, because they buy good stuff and wear it forever. So when Mike got it, it was probably very chic... in the 70's.
Haier's Ibiza Rhapsody in the wild
Every once in a while we'll come across a mystical product that gets scooped really early in its development cycle, goes years without release, and makes a CES cameo or two before becoming available to the now-underwhelmed throngs. Such is the case with Haier's Ibiza Rhapsody, a decidedly metallic PMP that features WiFi, Bluetooth, and support for both Rhapsody and AOL Video. Granted, those are still somewhat impressive specs even by 2008 standards, but the capacities top out at 30GB (weak sauce) and the physical appearance of the device is definitely an acquired taste. Anyway, we happened to catch the Ibiza Rhapsody in final retail packaging in our travels and stopped for a few brief sentence to snap a shot or two; do enjoy them, won't you?%Gallery-12759%
Netscape finally bows out, browsers no longer supported
Although Netscape was once a mighty pioneer in the world of internet browsers, it didn't take long for Microsoft's Internet Explorer to overtake it and squash its dreams of market dominance. Granted, we highly (and we stress "highly") doubt any viewers reading this now are relying on Netscape Navigator as their primary browser, but seeing it finally bow out is a bit surreal. According to a post on the Netscape Blog, support (and subsequent updates) for it will no longer be provided by AOL (disclosure: AOL is our parent company's parent) after February 1, 2008. Sure, old versions will still be available for those who just hate to move on, but the team is suggesting that any remaining Netscape users (a show of hands, anyone?) make the leap to Firefox, and they even point you in the direction of a Netscape theme should you find yourself uncomfortable with change. Rest in peace, dear Netscape -- it's about time that last heap of dirt was finally flung.[Via BlogRunner]
AOL AWOL from SL
AOL Pointe, AOL's installation in Second Life that was intended to be an ongoing experiment to define, measure and test methods of avatar engagement is, today, missing. Recently the island was closed to the public, and now it appears to have gone entirely. The island which was created to be a living experiment was rather stillborn when (rumor has it) the division responsible for its creation, and to be responsible for its ongoing management were dropped from the AOL corporation right about the time that the site opened.
AOL giving free PS3, Ratchet & Clank to new internet subscribers
Now this deal comes with several conditions. If you live in the UK, need a new internet provider and a 40GB PlayStation 3, then this could be the deal for you. AOL is currently offering a free 40GB PS3 and Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction for new subscribers who are willing to sign a two-year contract for its £19.99 a month AOL Broadband Wireless Plus package.After you complete the two-year contract, the PS3 is yours forever. The only thing you'll have to pay upfront is the £14.99 delivery charge for your new PS3.We have to admit, this is a pretty good deal anyway you slice it. After all is said and done, you'll spend about £480 to get broadband internet for two years, a new PS3 and game, and the satisfaction that you technically got a PS3 completely free.Disclaimer: PS3 Fanboy is owned by AOL.[Via Kotaku]
Haier and AOL's PMP makes its debut as the ibiza Rhapsody
We haven't heard much of anything about Haier and AOL's WiFi-enabled PMP since CES way back at the beginning of the year, but it looks like the device has now finally made its way out the door, with it now dubbed the ibiza Rhapsody. From the looks of it, there's three different versions of the player, including a 4GB, an 8GB, and a 30GB model (each also available in a range of colors). Apart from that, however, the players all appear to be identical, with each boasting a 2.5-inch display, an FM radio, built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and, of course, integrated support for Rhapsody-To-Go and AOL's video service. Nice enough specs to be sure, although the player isn't exactly on the cheap side, with Amazon currently listing the 4, 8, and 30GB players for $230, $250, and $330, respectively.[Via PMP Today]
AOL plans WoW social network at wow.com
Those of us who have ever tried to buy a domain know what I'm about to talk about. All those really great, short, three-to-five letter domain names are taken. You may think you've thought of something nobody else would use, but as soon as you run to your web host of choice and type it into the search box your dreams are shattered as you discover it's already registered to someone else.Over the course of it's many corporate acquisitions over the years, AOL has obviously picked up the ownership of a premium domain name or two. One of them -- wow.com -- was acquired when they took ownership of the remaining assets of Compuserve many years ago. In its article posted this morning, Techcrunch.com reveals that AOL has decided to pull wow.com out of mothballs and use it as a social networking site for World of Warcraft players.I guess this is one instance of patience paying off. They've owned this domain for what appears to be a very long time, and now they've found a great use for it. All I know is that if America Online has decided to take this on, they will do a fantastic job. I'm looking forward to seeing how they execute this plan.Oh. And I should probably take a moment to "do the voice" of that guy who reads the fine print really fast at the end of the car commercials and say "WoW Insider is a part of the Weblogs Inc. blogging network which is owned by America Online."
AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 1
AOL, the parent company of Weblogs, Inc of which TUAW is a part (translation: AOL is our loving corporate overlord), has done something it hasn't done in 5 years: release some new Mac code. AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 1 is out and about, and ready for business.What's new in this version, you ask? Well, it launches quickly, it uses tabs, you can check a number of different email accounts (in addition to your AOL account), AIM is built right in, and it is customizable. It has that unmistakable AOL look to it (which is either a good thing, or a bad thing depending on who you ask) and it was fairly snappy on my iMac. I wasn't able to test out all the features because I don't actually have an AOL account myself, but it is in beta and that means there are bugs to be encountered.I'm sure a small number of Mac users are happy to see this release, but I'm more anxious for an updated version of AIM. Mac users are a full 2 versions behind our PC friends on that front (though I recommend you check out Adium for all your chatting needs).
AOL, HP extend search partnership to worldwide PCs
Because we know just how much you like to know exactly whose crapware you'll be removing from your next store-bought desktop or laptop, this is a just a quick heads-up that HP customers worldwide can soon expect to be confronted with portals, toolbars, and default search settings courtesy of AOL (which also happens to own Engadget parent network Weblogs Inc.). Since it was almost exactly a year ago that HP made a similar deal with Yahoo, we can only assume that AOL has pushed its rival off of HP machines altogether, extending its current agreement to provide only the co-branded portal for domestically-sold rigs. Perhaps the best news here is that for those folks who haven't bought a PC in several years, the pre-loaded AOL software may provided a much-needed connection back to the days of dial-up in this scary new world of broadband, Vista, and MySpace.
Archos 605 contains evidence of massive content partnerships?
A couple of lines in a settings file does not a partnership make, but some enterprising hackers at the Archos Community Forums have discovered evidence that Archos is planning at least one large-scale content deal when the super-hot 605 launches in the US. Poking around in the unit's provider.xml file inside the system folder, user Plissken007 discovered pointers to not one, but eight major content partners for wireless media distribution, including some with live holder pages on the Archos website. Notables include Best Buy, Cicuit City, Amazon (for Unbox, probably), MovieLink, Vongo, AOL, and, of course, YouTube. Now, we can't see Best Buy and Circuit City sharing space like this, so Archos is probably hedging their bets a little, but if it's true, it looks like there's finally going to be a major competitor to Apple's iPod / iTunes ecosystem out there, eh?[Disclosure: AOL owns Engadget's parent company.][Via Archos Fans]
Paul Thurrott amazes again, turns iPhone's Yahoo! synching feature into a complaint
Uh oh, famed purveyor of the SuperSite for Windows and spinster extraordinaire Paul Thurrott is at it again with a third installment of his iPhone review that focuses on the iPhone's performance as an actual phone. Never faltering in his ability to spin a genuinely innovative feature into a mark against a product, Thurrott found a way to blast the iPhone's ability to sync contacts with Yahoo!'s address book for being the only web-based service that made the cut: First and most obviously, Yahoo! is the only Web-based email/contacts store supported: If you use Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, or any other Web-based email service, you cannot sync between contacts stored there and the iPhone. This is a glaring functional lapse that the early Mac-using iPhone reviewers neatly skipped overBoy, iPhone users sure are screwed, especially since, outside the Helio Ocean (whose site isn't clear on whether it actually syncs with Yahoo!), I can't think of another mobile phone OS - including Windows Mobile and BlackBerry - that syncs with a web-based email or contact service out of the box (note: sync - not simply 'allow access with some custom UI'). At least, not a significant or even publicized phone from any of the big players like Nokia, Motorola or Samsung. The simple fact is that most mobile phone OS developers haven't made that leap yet, primarily because the web-based services like Gmail and AOL haven't opened themselves up through an API (Application Programming Interface) like Yahoo! has for the iPhone. This is probably because, in the past, it hasn't been worth the effort. Most users who want to sync their contacts with a mobile phone are either power or business users, and they're already using desktop software like Outlook, Entourage or Apple's Address Book that is primed and ready for synching. Apple likely took a chance and opened this partnership to sync with Yahoo! because the iPhone is arguably the first consumer-friendly phone to bring the concept of synching to the general user. For those still wondering why Apple chose Yahoo!, it's likely because they are the leading worldwide webmail provider by a landslide; as of April 2007, Yahoo! Mail's market share doubles Hotmail's and, believe it or not, Gmail trails in an incredibly distant 3rd with 1/13th the traffic of Yahoo!.
Winamp and Orb team up to release Winamp Remote
AOL has launched Winamp Remote as of late last week that hopefully will turn any xHTML-equipped mobile handset (like almost any modern cellphone) into a Internet-controlled remote for a user's Winamp media player on that stationary (or laptop, heh) PC. Running on Orb Network technology, Winamp remote is very similar to Orb's "MyCasting" service. This new service will give cellphone users phone-based access to those hefty MP3 collections sitting on that trust computer hard drive -- all from your cellphone's built-in web browser. Three items are needed: Winamp installed on a PC (where your music collection resides), a cellphone with a built in xHTML web browser and (hopefully unlimited) data plan and the installation of Winamp Remote on the same PC where Winamp is installed. A final question: why wouldn't one just use Orb alone instead of Winamp Remote?
Vista security too tight on casual games, claims WildTangent
DirectX creator Alex St. John says Windows Vista "breaks" casual games. The WildTangent CEO recently described the arduous process of patching his company's network of games to ensure Vista compatibility. The effort reportedly took a year of working closely with "nearly every major casual game developer.""Parents who choose to use Vista's parental controls are likely to accidentally block access to hundreds of very popular family friendly games that happen not to have ESRB ratings," explained St. John. Casual game networks hosted by Yahoo, AOL, RealArcade, and even Microsoft (MSN Games) could all be affected, according to St. John. Microsoft has yet to comment on the allegations.It should be noted that WildTangent's software is often denoted as spyware by antispyware applications. While the software is generally regarded as harmless, it's often installed without express consent (and remains self-updating); WildTangent also reserves the right to collect personal information for use in tuning its products.
AOL Music Now closing doors, porting customers to Napster
AOL's Music Now, yet another iTunes Store competitor, has announced they are closing their doors in favor of lending the space to Napster (disclosure reminder: we're an AOL property). In a press release this morning, Napster announced it is partnering with AOL to integrate their services into the AOL Music Now site, and customers will be notified that their accounts are being rolled over into the new service, with the ability to opt out. Of course, AppScout, who found this, has already asked one good fundamental question: "Naster and AOL join forces to create... what?"Let us all take a moment of silence for AOL's fallen service.[via MacDailyNews]
