After over 30 years, AOL is discontinuing its iconic dial-up internet service on September 30th. In a notice posted on its website, the company announced it will be shuttering the dial-up service and associated software, including the AOL Dialer and AOL Shield browser. This change will not affect any other benefits in existing AOL plans. According to the 2023 U.S. Census, over 160,000 people still connect to the internet via dial-up. AOL, formerly known as America Online, was popularized in the 1990s as home internet usage grew, with its distinctive dial-up tone and “You’ve got mail” alerts. Though AOL merged with Time Warner in 2000 and has since been acquired by Verizon and private equity firm Apollo Global Management, the dial-up service has persisted. But now, after over three decades, this once-ubiquitous gateway to the early internet will be coming to an end. (People)
PHONE TOPIC: What ancient technology are you still using in your daily life?