AOL Desktop Software to end free access plan

[Cracklingice]

I couldn't find a news site that has done a story on this so I spent the last hour researching and wrote my own.

 

Most of us probably have an older relative that still uses the AOL Desktop Software.  Unfortunately for them (and possibly us as well if you're the one they call when they have a problem) as of April 10th, 2017 the AOL Desktop Software will be seeing a transformation to a monthly subscription based service.  A new version of the software, AOL Desktop Gold, will replace all previous versions of the software and all previous versions will no longer function.  This new service will cost $3.99 per month.  AOL Desktop Gold will be included with their current safety and security bundles that include software such as McAffe and AOL One Point password manager.

 

While AOL Desktop Gold will introduce new features to the AOL Desktop client, it will retain the design and features of the previous client.  The new features are set to include two step authentication, encryption of personal information stored in AOL Desktop software, server side storage of favorites as well as contacts and automatic updating of the software.  The software is said to be 'optimized for the speed of broadband internet'.  As this is a paid service it will include support related to the AOL service.  The service fee appears to cover all users under the account, but the primary user on the account will need to forward the email containing the download like to other users on the account that wish to use the software.  The new version of the AOL Desktop client supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and will require at least 1024x768 desktop resolution, 266mhz or higher CPU, 1GB of ram and 512MB of hard disk space as well as an internet connection.

 

I am unsure if the AOL Desktop 11 Beta is the AOL Desktop Gold client or if they will be releasing the software sometime after the launch of the paid service (if so hopefully prior to the end of Golds 30 day free trial).  I had specifically mentioned the Beta software in my email request for information but unfortunately they did not include anything about it in the reply.  The Beta 11 version sports the same system requirements as the 'Gold' desktop client so it is possible it is the same client.  The Beta version 11 of the client currently does not support dial up internet connections.  It could be that they want to limit the beta access to bring your own access (likely broadband) customers or it could be that they will be releasing an AOL dialer software that will handle the connection separately from the Desktop application.  They may also have already closed the beta testing of the dialer or will be testing it prior to the April launch.  It is also possible that they may be closing their dial up service, but I have found no indication of this on their website other than the beta software not currently supporting it.

 

https://productcentral.aol.com/products/aol-desktop-gold

https://help.aol.com/articles/aol-desktop-gold-faqs

 

I was unable to determine if the Gold version was a paid upgrade from a standard version or if it would be the only version of the software available so I contacted AOL support.  This is what I received. 

 

It is interesting to see AOL return to a pay model for their Desktop Software after having a free version without customer support for bring your own access customers.  I am unsure if the new desktop client will continue to see the advertisements they added in to support offering the free version.  It's possible that the ads simply were not effective enough or reaching enough people to continue to be profitable.

[RGProductions]

A better question is: why is anyone still using AOL software?

[PlayStation 2]

I legit thought AOL died long ago.

[Cracklingice]

They're actually still hanging in there by something.  Even offer dial up access.
http://get.aol.com/plans/dial-up-internet.php

[gamerking]

didnt aol die 10 years ago ?

[Trik'Stari]

27 minutes ago, RGProductions said:

A better question is: why is anyone still using AOL software?

OP just go ahead and mark this ^

 

as correct answer

[Scruffy90]

I know someone still using aol 9.0 and i just shake my head everytime i see her log in

[Memories4K]

I don't understand.
Who is still using AOL.
What is the market here exactly lmao why would anyone pay for this.
Pls lads; if you or your family member is still using AOL services in any capacity, recommend them modern alternatives.
It's not 2002, the world's a much better place now; we have the technology

[huilun02]

Its for old people who are stuck in the past with dialup

 

 

[79wjd]

Suckers! Everyone told me I was dumb for saving these, but look at me now! 

 

 

[NoRomanBatmansAllowed]

Question 1: Who uses AOL?

Question 2: Why would anyone want to subscribe for Bloatware Antivirus ™ ? 

[vetali]

16 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

Suckers! Everyone told me I was dumb for saving these, but look at me now!

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

When you realize the old AOL logo was an abstract Illuminati sign 

[Cracklingice]

10 hours ago, djdwosk97 said:

Suckers! Everyone told me I was dumb for saving these, but look at me now! 

I used to save them for a while but decided to ditch them as they were just taking up space.  I kept one of the tins and that was about it.  Although I never had one of the floppies I don't think.

[Mooshi]

>paying for aids

[dizmo]

Oh no! Those elderly people everywhere! 

Tbh there's probably a good reason no news agency has covered it. No one cares. 

[Cracklingice]

2 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Oh no! Those elderly people everywhere! 

Tbh there's probably a good reason no news agency has covered it. No one cares. 

Well that and they only started sending out emails to primary screen names about the upcoming change yesterday.  When I did the write up it was less than 6 hours after first finding out about it from my father.  I was actually quite pleased with how quickly AOL replied to my request for more information, even if it was probably just a one click response template.

[Nup]

Wait are they just being slimy and tricking all the old/unaware people into paying for this without knowing?

[Cracklingice]

This is the entire email being sent out to the primary screen name on AOL accounts (possibly just the ones that log into the desktop software AND are on the free bring your own access plan).

25 minutes ago, Nup said:

Wait are they just being slimy and tricking all the old/unaware people into paying for this without knowing?

Spoiler

 

 

^email images in this spoiler because they're very tall.^

[Zodiark1593]

My grandmother uses AOL still. She owns a successful business as well... 

[Cracklingice]

1 minute ago, Zodiark1593 said:

My grandmother uses AOL still. She owns a successful business as well... 

Heck I still use my AOL email as my primary address.  I just don't use the software.  I get my email thru my phone 95% of the time and the other 5% of the time it's emails I want to open on the computer and I use mail.aol.com

[Trik'Stari]

13 hours ago, huilun02 said:

Its for old people who are stuck in the past with dialup

 

 

Someone needs to remix that into a song somehow.

[Nowak]

14 hours ago, Dan Castellaneta said:

I legit thought AOL died long ago.

Believe it or not, they still exist. They're just not as big as they used to be. The dot-com bubble burst in 2000 really fucked them up.

[Just Monika]

Despite reading the entire OP, I had no idea what "AOL Desktop Software" actually did until I went to the AOL website and it dawned on me that it's software used for connecting to the Internet(?). I thought the whole "use this software to access the internet instead of just letting Windows manage the damn thing" died out along with 56K internet.

[Centurius]

31 minutes ago, Trik'Stari said:

Someone needs to remix that into a song somehow.

 

[MedievalMatt]

15 hours ago, Cracklingice said:

They're actually still hanging in there by something.  Even offer dial up access.
http://get.aol.com/plans/dial-up-internet.php

They know their customers:

 

Save money, explore new opportunities, volunteer, and much more with AARP (available to 50+ age group).

 

from the page you linked