AOL has debuted a tablet-optimized version of its Web site that was built using HTML5 and offers users an app-like experience.

The new tablet-optimized site features an updated layout that lets users interact with AOL?s content across its network with a swipe of a finger. Additionally, the HTML5 features let users listen to music, watch videos and preview their emails.

?Our strategy for AOL Mobile is to give our users a beautiful consumer experience on every device,? said Kelly Mayes, a spokeswoman for AOL, San Francisco.

?For this launch in particular, we wanted to give users an experience that fits the way they use their iPads,? she said. ?This is an app-like experience that enables people to swipe through content and take advantage of things like location awareness that we can't do on the desktop.?

Optimized content
When users go to the AOL tablet site, they see a new card-like design that provides an interactive way to browse through the company?s content including Top News, Local and Entertainment headlines without having to leave the page.

Additionally, users can check out the location enabled services to see their local weather forecast.

Users can also sign into their AOL mail account to see up to 20 previews of their latest unread messages, view full messages or compose a new email.

The tablet site also lets users check out the latest MP3 of the day from AOL Music, as well as get their daily horoscope.

?We have a mix of marketing efforts in place to help ensure people are aware of the new site,? Ms. Mayes said.

Past initiatives
Over the past year, AOL has been ramping up its mobile efforts.

Last year, the company rolled out an exclusive daily magazine for iPad devices that delivers a customized experience for each individual user.

Editions, the free daily tablet magazine, was developed by AOL?s mobile-first team. The magazine is tailored to interests of each of its users and available for free download in Apple?s App Store (see story).

Most recently, AOL shifted its focus to mobile and tablets, claiming that the devices' monetization opportunities surpass those on the Web.

The company has steadily built up its mobile strategy over the past year with the introduction of mobile and tablet experiences for some of its biggest brands, including Moviefone, Huffington Post, Engadget and MapQuest. AOL also recently introduced two tablet magazines ? Distro and Editions ? and will invest more heavily in creating tablet- and mobile-first experiences going forward (see story).

?AOL is content company with some of the best brands on the Web under our umbrella from Huffington Post to TechCrunch,? Ms. Mayes said.

?As more and more consumers use their mobile devices to consumer content, it's only natural that mobile is a big part of our strategy for growth,? she said.