Internet giant America Online is expected to announce the availability of its AOL 7.0 software Tuesday, an upgrade that comes as competitive pressure from Microsoft heats up. Early reports of test versions of the software suggest the changes will mainly be cosmetic, including more high-speed Internet features and local content on the welcome screen. Other reported changes include faster loading of the software, minor tweaks to the AOL Instant Messenger's buddy list, and a media player that lets members play audio CDs and downloaded music files. The release comes a day after Microsoft announced its own sweeping upgrades, dubbed MSN 7, set to take affect Oct. 25 in conjunction with the release of its new Windows XP operating system. The upgrades include an expanded DSL (digital subscriber line) service through MSN, a relaunch of the MSN.com home page that allows it to load faster, and additional features throughout its Web properties. Tuesday's upgrade will be AOL's first since raising rates 9 percent in July; the company now charges $23.95 a month for its unlimited plan. Microsoft, meanwhile, has stuck with its $21.95 fee.