Some of the plugins are interesting and useful – the Flickr plugin, for example, lets you browse Flickr tags from within your inbox, while the “Sticky Notes” plugin lets you quickly jot things down. However, many of the plugins – like MapQuest - simply provide basic information and then open up a new window with a website – basically, they’re just bookmark links. AOL Mail's plugin gallery lets you browse the dozens of different apps you can add to your account, which are then accessible via a sidebar.
Admittedly, I haven’t seriously used AOL Mail since the 90s, but comparatively, it seems like there still isn’t much of an advantage over Gmail, or Yahoo Mail for that matter, which is also rolling out an application platform. Nonetheless, the plugin directory is open to third-party developers, creating an opportunity to get your applications in front of millions of new users.
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