America Online Timeline

America Online Timeline

2006
April 3, 2006 America Online Changes Its Name to AOL
March 15, 2006 AOL and Warner Bros. launch IN2TV, the first broadband TV network
February 28, 2006 AOL Takes Fight Against Identity Theft To Court, Files Lawsuits Against Three Major Phishing Gangs
January 27, 2006 AOL expands its broadband network coast-to-coast with service from leading DSL and cable providers

2005
December 21, 2005 AOL acquires Internet video search pioneer Truveo
December 20, 2005 AOL and Google expand strategic alliance
November 22, 2005 AOL, IAC, Hearst Corp., and Allen & Company lead $16 million investment in Internet video distribution pioneer Brightcove
November 22, 2005 AOL introduces new AIM Triton service with next-generation tools at a time when 70% of online Americans are using instant messaging
November 3, 2005 AOL acquires digital-music subscription company MusicNow and unveils Web-based, full-service digital music store
October 6, 2005 AOL acquires leading blogging company Weblogs
September 21, 2005 AOL releases spyware protection to improve Internet security for millions of users
August 8, 2005 AOL announces acquisition of Wildseed Ltd., leading provider of advanced wireless technologies
August 4, 2005 AOL announces acquisition of XDrive Inc., leading provider of online storage and backup services
July 21, 2005 AOL launches AOL.com, the company’s next-generation, high-speed Web portal
July 12, 2005 AEG, AOL and XM Satellite Radio join forces with executive producer of Live 8 to create ‘Network Live,’ first multiplatform digital entertainment company for live programming
April 20, 2005 AOL launches major campaign against phishing
April 11, 2005 AOL and XM Satellite Radio unite to create new online radio service
April 7, 2005 AOL introduces Internet phone service
January 31, 2005 AOL and Time Warner Cable join forces to provide customized broadband offering
January 20, 2005 AOL introduces new AOL(r) Search innovations and opens up new opportunities for advertisers

2004
December 29, 2004 AOL announces second-annual ‘Top 10 Spam Terms’
December 27, 2004 AOL announces breakthroughs in fight against spam; junk e-mail on AOL service down by more than 75% in 2004; rise of spam from Internet halted–and reversed–on AOL for first time since 1999
December 14, 2004 AOL unveils top searches for 2004
December 13, 2004 AOL and MCI enable deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to receive incoming calls anywhere, anytime using their own, unique phone number
December 1, 2004 Singingfish launches new consumer audio and video search destination at www.singingfish.com ;
November 18, 2004 AOL launches AOL(r) 9.0 Security Edition with comprehensive suite of security features
November 1, 2004 AOL members get politically interactive; free online resource for voters available to members and non-members ranked # 1 political Web site
October 28, 2004 AOL announces new round of spam lawsuits in conjunction with anti-spam alliance partners Microsoft, Earthlink and Yahoo
October 28, 2004 AOL offers premium, full-computer virus protection to members at no additional cost
October 14, 2004 Netscape 7.2 browser passes four-million download milestone less than two months after launch
October 7, 2004 AOL launches new branding campaign, recommits to members with print, radio, TV ads that harken back to company roots
September 20, 2004 AOL lLaunches inStore, new online shopping destination on the AOL(r) service and on Web
August 4, 2004 AOL announces acquisition of Mailblocks Inc., personal, Web-based e-mail service for consumers known for using state-of-the-art technology to block spam and provide streamlined, efficient e-mail user interface
August 2, 2004 AOL completes acquisition of Advertising.com, leading provider of results-based interactive marketing services
July 12, 2004 AOL News announces it will offer live interactive gavel-to-gavel coverage of 2004 Democratic and Republican conventions
June 22, 2004 Anti-spam technical alliance that includes AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo! and EarthLink publishes industry recommendations to help stop spam
May 20, 2004 AOL announces spam in member in-boxes down by 20%-30%
May 17, 2004 New AOL Diet & Fitness channel launched through content partnerships with Health Magazine, Cooking Light, and eDiets.com
May 14, 2004 AOL announces it blocked more than one billion virus-infected e-mails in past year
May 6, 2004 AOL for Broadband launches new games destination with more online games, original programming, and video game discounts
April 27, 2004 AOL Journals introduces private journals and integration with AOL Alerts
April 22, 2004 AOL and Time Warner Cable reach agreements to cross-promote AOL for Broadband and Road Runner high-speed online services
April 21, 2004 AOL announces that members can access AOL Mail using popular third-party e-mail applications
April 20, 2004 ICQ introduces ICQ 4.0 offering dynamic personal communications platform to its growing global community
April 5, 2004 AOL 9.0 launches in UK with focus on new-generation communication and anti-spam tools
March 30, 2004 AOL music service MusicNet@AOL announces it has reached 250,000 subscribers; newly enhanced service now offers unlimited streaming and downloading of more than 600,000 songs for $8.9May month, a la carte burning of songs for 99 cents each
March 30, 2004 AOL announces it has seized a luxury Porsche sports car from a major spammer who AOL caught, thanks to members reporting spam
March 23, 2004 Stream of live Usher concert on AOL Broadband Rocks from New York City accessed nearly 900,000 times in first three days on AOL Music and Radio@AOL
March 16, 2004 AOL launches AOL Bill Pay, new personal finance service that allows AOL members to track and pay bills online and to manage their personal finances
March 11, 2004 AOL announces agreement with Covad Communications to offer AOL for broadband members a new class of broadband product, Broadband Connect, a high-speed DSL connection without any accompanying content or applications
March 10, 2004 AOL, EarthLink, Microsoft and Yahoo! team up to file first major industry lawsuits under new federal anti-spam law
March 4, 2004 ICQ launches ICQ Universe, a dynamic social-networking service that enables Internet users worldwide to link up with friends, family, colleagues and others to create a personal profile and access a dynamic view of the relationships between members
February 5, 2004 AOL launches latest upgrade of AOL Instant Messenger, AIM verison 5.5, with new features including live video instant-messaging compatible with Apple’s popular iChat AV video conferencing application, online games, and account linking
February 3, 2004 AOL launches the RED service created exclusively for teens
January 8, 2004 Netscape launches low-cost Internet access service targeting value-conscious Internet users and providing unlimited dial-up usage for $9.95 a month
January 6, 2004 AOL announces it will make AOL Spyware Protection available as a standard feature to all its members; service will help AOL and AOL for Broadband members identify and disable many potential types of surveillance and advertising software

2003
December 11, 2003 AOL works with Virginia Attorney General in first criminal indictments under Virginia anti-spam law
October 15, 2003 AOL launches AOL 9.0 Optimized, the latest version for AOL and AOL for Broadband, the most compelling upgrade in the company’s history
October 1, 2003 AOL launches AOL Latino, a Spanish-language Internet service for U.S. Hispanics
September 29, 2003 AOL launches the KOL(tm) and KOL Jr.(tm) services created exclusively for kids aged 2-12
April 30, 2003 AOL blocks more than 2 billion spam e-mails in one day on behalf of members
March 31, 2003 AOL launches AOL for Broadband; new Bring Your Own Access pricing includes special pricing for current AOL members; new AOL 8.0 Plus creates more compelling broadband experience; new content agreements and programming initiatives add to AOL’s leadership in providing exclusive, on-demand, and compelling online programming.
2000
October 24, 2000 AOL service surpasses 25 million members
September 5, 2000 AOL aquires iAmaze
August 31, 2000 AOL acquires Quack.com
August 08, 2000 AOL Argentina launches
July 11, 2000 AOL Mexico launches
July 3, 2000 AOL acquires MapQuest Inc.
June 22, 2000 Winamp surpasses 25 million registrants
May 11, 2000 ICQ tops 65 million registered users
February 15, 2000 Netscape Netcenter reaches 25 million registrants
January 10, 2000 AOL and Time Warner announce plans to merge

1999
December 17, 1999 AOL service surpasses 20 million members
December 1, 1999 ICQ surpasses 50 million registered users
December 1, 1999 AOL acquires Tegic Communications
November 22, 1999 Stock splits two-for-one
November 16, 1999 AOL Brasil launches
October 20, 1999 AOL and Gateway announce strategic partnership
October 19, 1999 Netscape hits milestone of 20 million registrants
October 14, 1999 AOL Germany surpasses 1 million members
October 13, 1999 Motorola and AOL plan to develop wireless application
for AIM
September 28, 1999 AOL Hong Kong launches
August 24, 1999 AIM surpasses 45 million users; launches next-generation AIM Version 3.0
August 09, 1999 ICQ exceeds 40 million registered users 14 months after acquisition by AOL, more than tripling number of registered users
July 27, 1999 AOL and GTE partner to provide ADSL service
June 22, 1999 AOL and 3Com Corporation announce relationship to give AOL members access to e-mail via handheld computer for first time
June 21, 1999 AOL and Hughes Electronics form strategic alliance to market unparalleled digital entertainment and Internet services
June 21, 1999 AOL signs pacts with DIRECTV, Inc., Hughes Network Systems, Philips Electronics, and Network Computer, Inc. to help bring connected interactivity to TV experience
June 15, 1999 AOL acquires Digital Marketing Services, Inc., leader in online incentive marketing programs and online custom market research
June 1, 1999 AOL acquires leading Internet music brands Spinner.com, Winamp, and SHOUTcast
May 21, 1999 AOL completes acquisition of MovieFone, Inc.
April 5, 1999 AOL acquires When Inc.
March 17, 1999 AOL completes acquisition of Netscape Communications Corporation
March 11, 1999 AOL and SBC Communication announce partnership to deliver high-speed DSL access
February 22, 1999 Stock splits two-for-one
February 3, 1999 AOL and First USA announce agreement representing Internet’s largest advertising and marketing partnership to date valued at up to $500 million
February 1, 1999 AOL announces intention to acquire MovieFone, Inc., nation’s No. 1 movie listing and ticketing service
January 26, 1999 AOL Inc. surpasses 3 million AOL and CompuServe members outside U.S.
January 12, 1999 AOL and Bell Atlantic announce partnership to deliver high-speed DSL access

1998
December 30, 1998 AOL service surpasses 15 million members
December 22, 1998 Standard and Poor’s announces AOL to be added to S&P 500 Index
December 15, 1998 AOL and Cisneros Group announce Latin America joint venture
November 24, 1998 AOL announces acquisition of Netscape, strategic partnership with Sun Microsystems
November 17, 1998 Stock splits two-for-one
November 11, 1998 AOL announces acquisition of PersonaLogic, Inc.
October 7, 1998 AOL and Bertelsmann launch AOL Australia
July 23, 1998 AOL announces full deployment of V.90 standard
June 08, 1998 AOL announces intention to acquire Mirabilis LTD and its ICQ Technology
May 6, 1998 AOL announces intention to acquire NetChannel, Inc.
March 16, 1998 Stock splits two-for-one
February 2, 1998 AOL completes acquisition of CompuServe

1997
December 16, 1997 AOL service passes 1 million member mark outside U.S.
November 17, 1997 AOL service passes 10 million members; AOL now delivering more daily mail in form of e-mail and instant messages than U.S. Postal Service
October 27, 1997 AOL Studios launches Entertainment Asylum
October 7, 1997 AOL and Bertelsmann, AG announce plans to launch online service in Australia
September 08, 1997 AOL announces intention to acquire CompuServe Online Services
September 2, 1997 AOL service passes 9 million members
June 17, 1997 AOL Studios launches WorldPlay Entertainment
June 16, 1997 AOL service passes 750,000 members internationally
April 15, 1997 AOL Japan launches
March 10, 1997 AOL acquires Lightspeed Media to create original content for Greenhouse Entertainment Network
February 25, 1997 Multi-year, $100-million marketing deal announced with Tel-Save Holdings

1996
December 1, 1996 AOL introduces unlimited-use pricing plan of $19.95 per month
November 25, 1996 Excite becomes AOL’s exclusive Internet search and directory service
September 16, 1996 Moves from Nasdaq to New York Stock Exchange listed under symbol “AOL”; Wall Street sign is changed to WAOL Street for the day
August 6, 1996 AOL acquires ImagiNation Network (INN) to expand multiplayer games offering
July 1, 1996 AOL launches version 3.0 for Windows
May 08, 1996 AOL announces joint venture with Mitsui and Nikkei to launch service in Japan
March 18, 1996 AOL France launches
March 12, 1996 Marketing distribution alliances announced with Apple and AT&T. Browser partnerships announced with Microsoft and Netscape Communications. Licensing and developing agreement announced with Sun Microsystems.
February 6, 1996 AOL service passes 5 million members
February 1, 1996 AOL acquires Johnson-Grace, leading developers of data compression technology
January 31, 1996 AOL UK and AOL Canada launch

1995
December 28, 1995 AOL service exceeds 4.5 million members
November 08, 1995 Developers Studio launched to provide AOL software tools to third-party developers
November 08, 1995 PC Magazine, Family PC Magazine, Online Access Magazine and Information Industry Association rate AOL
“Best Consumer Online Service”
October 19, 1995 AOL completes sale of previously registered shares at $58.38
October 30, 1995 Launch of GNN, AOL’s direct Internet service
September 22, 1995 AOL acquires Ubique, Ltd., creator of Virtual Places
September 19, 1995 Registration filed for secondary offering of 3,500,000 shares
July 6, 1995 AOL service passes 3 million members
June 1, 1995 Acquires Global Network Navigator (GNN) as platform for direct Internet service; acquires WebCrawler search tool
May 22, 1995 AOL acquires WAIS, Internet publisher, and Medior, developer of interactive media
May 3, 1995 AOL service exceeds 2.5 million members
April 27, 1995 Stock splits two-for-one
April 3, 1995 First participants of Greenhouse announced: The eGG, Health ResponseAbility Systems, InterZine Productions, The Motley Fool, NetNoir, and Health Zone
March 1, 1995 Joint venture with Bertelsmann, AG announced to create European online services
February 21, 1995 AOL service passes 2 million members
February 17, 1995 Acquires ANS, commercial Internet access provider

1994
December 29, 1994 AOL acquires BookLink Technologies, developer of Internet applications
November 30, 1994 AOL acquires NaviSoft, developer of Internet publishing tools
November 28, 1994 Stock splits two-for-one
November 17, 1994 Greenhouse launched to develop original content online
August 19, 1994 AOL acquires Redgate Communications, multimedia publishing company
August 16, 1994 AOL service reaches 1 million members

1993
December 7, 1993 Secondary offering for 1,000,000 shares
December 1993 AOL service exceeds 500,000 members
January 1993 Windows version of AOL launched

1992
March 19, 1992 AOL goes public on NASDAQ market at original price of $11.50, under symbol AMER

1991
October 1991 Quantum Computer Services changes name to America Online, Inc.
February 1991 DOS version of AOL launched

1990
June 1990 Quantum’s “Promenade” service launched for IBM PS/1

1989
October 1989 AOL service launched for Macintosh and Apple II

1988
August 1988 Quantum’s “PC-Link” launched through joint venture with Tandy Corporation

1985
November 1985 Quantum’s first online service, “Q-Link,” launched on Commodore Business Machines
May 24, 1985 Date of incorporation under original founding name, Quantum Computer Services, registered in Delaware