Long rumored, AOL has been spurred to declaration today by the ever increasing noise in the desktop search/personalization/browser space. Cnet has the goods:
America Online on Thursday confirmed that it is testing a new search engine that scans for files on a PC’s hard drive, mirroring a similar product unveiled this week by Google.
AOL’s desktop search was not developed in-house but is powered by a third-party’s technology, according to a source familiar with the plans. While the source would not reveal AOL’s desktop search partner, this person said it was not Google.
The desktop search tool is currently being offered as a feature within a test version of a standalone Web browser that AOL is developing, the source said.
AOL spokeswoman Anne Bentley confirmed that the desktop search tool is being tested alongside the AOL Browser but declined to elaborate further. She said the AOL Browser will launch as early as November.
The site itself got a makeover today as well, though you need to be a member to see it.
Huh. AOL has a browser. Time Warner owns Netscape, don’t they?
Of course they are, never to be left out, but never the leader. Wanna be’s.
AJ