We’ve redesigned our UI with a much needed overhaul. Key changes include:
· Fire-and-forget default settings with all of the right options set for our users (techies still can customize to their heart’s content but confusing options are buried one level deep so as not to confuse beginners).
· A very light, web-based UI that is fast and fluid.
· Controls commonly used in new smartphone apps that make it easy to navigate.
· A true multi-threaded app that lets you navigate easily.
We’ve included some features in our Free version that, until now, were reserved in our paid version:
· Real-time download protection which blocks files before being written to disk.
· Advanced heuristics, rootkit protection.
· A gaming/silent mode.
· Full sandboxing.
· Removed all nag screens pushing users to upgrade.
· There are now no differences in the malware blocking (and removal) features of our free product (compared to our or our peers’ Pro products.
We’re starting a rapid development cycle program that will keep Ad-Aware fresh with new updates and features constantly without waiting for that once-a-year major upgrade:
· Dropping the version number (except for reviewers and techies).
· Going on a 8, 4, 6 week development schedule.
· Bringing new features, improvements constantly.
· Silent updates (user will get a little screen describing fixes and features and give them the option to download).
We are releasing two new premium versions as well:
· Ad-Aware Personal Security – will retail for 12$/year. Adds advanced web filtering (both reputation and anti-malware) to provide a suite that is well-positioned against our peers’ full antivirus products retailing for 3X the price.
· Ad-Aware Pro Security – will retail for 36$/year. Adds email, network, USB protection plus a powerful two-way firewall. It competes well against our peers’ Total suites (without parental controls or spam filters) at nearly half the price.
We’ve reviewed our installation process as well:
· We’re automatically starting the definition file updates so that when the program is installed – everything is ready to go.
· We are proposing the installation of our security/search toolbar in a way that is consistent with our values (no pre-checked boxes).