New AOL mobile apps forgo iPhone in favor of Android

Promising a renewed focus on mobile content and applications following the arrival of new vice president of mobile David Temkin (former VP of developer platform at Palm), digital services provider AOL launched a new smartphone portal as well as a pair of free apps exclusively optimized for Google's Android platform. According to AOL, the new m.aol.com portal targets smartphones supporting HTML5, delivering a touch-based interface tailored for easier scrolling through articles and content as well as location-based services spotlighting local weather, movie, traffic and related information. The web portal also features an application directory and support for video content.

The new AOL app for Android features content from AOL sites including PopEater, Engadget and FanHouse--users can also access sites like MapQuest and AOL Mail. AOL also introduced an Android version of its DailyFinance application, enabling users to receive real-time stock quotes and financial news while tracking up to 25 different portfolios; the app also includes interactive charts and graphs. In a release, Temkin said AOL will continue developing applications for other mobile operating systems, but identified Android because it "has emerged as a top-tier smartphone platform."

For more on AOL's mobile relaunch:
- read this release

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