AOL

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AOL Media LLC (formerly a predecessor company known as AOL Inc. and originally known as America Online) is a web portal and former online service provider based in New York City. It is owned by Bending Spoons. AOL traces its history to PlayNET, an online service. PlayNET licensed its software to Quantum Link, which went online in November 1985. An IBM PC compatible client was launched in 1988. The service was renamed as America Online (abbreviated as AOL) in 1989. AOL grew to become the largest online service, ahead of established players CompuServe and Prodigy. By 1995, AOL had about three million active users. AOL was at one point the most recognized Internet-related brand in the United States. AOL was an internet service provider (ISP) and once provided dial-up Internet access to millions of Americans and pioneered chat rooms and instant messaging with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). In 1998, AOL purchased Netscape for US$4.2 billion. As of 2000, AOL was providing internet service to over...

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