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More ways to use AOL

BY ERIC GRIFFITH

America Online users now have two more devices for getting access to their favorite service.

First is Philips' AOLTV ($250; 800-810-4665). This set-top device connects to your television and cable box and provides access to the best parts of AOL (pictures, calendar, chat, e-mail and instant messaging), the Web and TV listings. The service costs $24.95 a month, or $14.95 a month if you already have an AOL account (you'll use the same screen names). A wireless keyboard and remote let you control the action from across the room.

Philips' AOL TV

This sounds a lot like Microsoft's WebTV, and there are similarities, but AOLTV bests WebTV by letting you use AOL features like instant messaging while watching television. For example, "ER" can play in the corner of the screen as you send messages to friends about the show.

It's too bad the other new AOL on-ramp, the Gateway Connected Touch Pad ($499; 800-846-2000), doesn't live up to expectations.

The Touch Pad is a small, stylish unit with a 10-inch touch-screen and integrated speakers. It comes with a wireless keyboard, complete with AOL-specific function keys to get access to instant messages, mail and more. You get access to every AOL Keyword (unlike the more limited areas of AOLTV) and a Web browser based on Netscape 6.

Gateway Connected Touch Pad

Surfing speed is painfully slow when connected via the integrated 56Kbps modem. If you have a computer with a broadband connection, though, you could network the Touch Pad to that computer and take advantage of the faster speed; the Touch Pad then goes online via the computer's connection. Unfortunately, it will only recognize an AOL connection. You'll also need a special version of AOL for home networks, and you may have to pay an additional monthly fee.

Another problem is the Touch Pad's price. At $499, plus $21.95 per month for AOL service, it's one of the most expensive Net appliances we've seen. Actually, the Touch Pad is an AOL appliance. Without AOL, it's a fancy paperweight.

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Gateway
www.gateway.com