AOL to shut down dial-up internet in September
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- AOL announced it plans to end dial-up Internet service after 40 years in operation by the end of September.
The company said in a press release that its dial-up service and associated products will be shuttered on Sept. 30.
"AOL routinely evaluates its products and servies and has decided to discontinue dial-up Internet," the company said.
"The AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, which are optimized for older operating systems and dial-up connections, will be discontinued."
Although the dial-up mode of connection, which at a top of 56 kilobits per second, is far less optimal when compared to modern connections that are measured in megabits and gigabits, was still able to provide an online option where broadband wasn't available or for low-income families.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that in 2023, around 163,400 Americans still completely counted on dial-up service alone as an internet connection.
The termination of the service does not affect any of the other benefits offered to AOL customers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
2 hours ago
- NBC News
Trump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump 's tax and spending law will result in less income for the poorest Americans while sending money to the richest, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported Monday. The CBO estimates that the 10% of poorest Americans will lose roughly $1,200 a year as they experience restrictions on government programs like Medicaid and food assistance, while the richest 10% of Americans will see their income increase by $13,600 from tax cuts. Overall, American households will see more income from the tax cuts in the legislation, including middle income households, but the largest benefit will go to the top 10% of earners. The CBO's report comes as lawmakers are away from Washington, many taking their messages about the bill to voters. Republicans muscled the legislation — deemed 'the big, beautiful bill' by Trump — through Congress in July. Democrats all vehemently opposed the legislation, warning that its tax cuts and spending priorities would come at the expense of vital government aid programs and a ballooning national debt. 'This really is a big, beautiful bill for billionaires, but for the poor and the working class in this country, you are actually poorer,' said Rep. Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, in an MSNBC interview on Monday. Changes to eligibility for government food assistance under the law will impact millions of Americans, the CBO found. Roughly 2.4 million people won't be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under new work requirements for many recipients. Low-income Americans could also see their income reduced through further restrictions on food aid and other types of assistance included in the law. Already, more than 10 million Americans are expected to be without health insurance by 2034 due to changes to Medicaid under the law. Following release of the report, Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he took issue with CBO's methodology, repeating criticism he has made in the past. 'CBO has a troubled track record of getting its estimates incorrect and, like Democrats, is biased in favor of more federal spending and higher taxes,' Smith said on social media. 'Don't buy it.' Republicans have been eager to sell the upsides of the legislation — arguing that the tax cuts will spur economic growth — while they are on a monthlong summer break from Washington. But those who have held townhalls in their home districts have often been greeted by an earful from voters and activists. 'Tax the rich,' the crowd in Lincoln, Neb. chanted last week as Republican Rep. Michael Flood attempted to defend the bill. Still, Trump has been undeterred.
Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Trump extends China tariff deadline by another 90 days
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has signed an executive order, delaying the deadline for the United States to implement higher tariffs on Chinese goods by another 90 days, the White House announced Monday. The order was signed just before midnight, Sunday, hours before the current tariff pause was set to expire. The extension to Nov. 9 follows progress last month in Stockholm, Sweden, during talks between U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators. "We hope that the U.S. will work with China to follow the important consensus reached during the phone call between the two heads of state ... and strive for positive outcomes on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit," foreign ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, said in a statement. Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he, too, was optimistic about "the makings" of a trade deal with China. China is one of the United State's largest trade partners. In June, Trump announced a trade agreement with China over rare earth minerals. Under the deal, China would export rare earth minerals to the United States with both countries reducing their tariffs for 90 days. Rare earth minerals fuel energy sources for mobile devices and electric vehicles. As Trump signed the executive order Sunday night, he called on China to quadruple its purchases of American soybeans to reduce the United States' trade deficit with China. "China is worried about its shortage of soybeans. Our great farmers produce the most robust soybeans. I hope China will quickly quadruple its soybean orders," Trump wrote in a post on X. "This is a way of substantially reducing China's Trade Deficit with the United States. Rapid service will be provided. Thank you President Xi." Despite ongoing trade threats, China's economy posted second quarter Gross Domestic Product growth at 5.2% last month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, as exporters took advantage of the Trump administration's pauses in reciprocal tariffs, which were announced April 2. Since the announcement, Trump hit China with tariffs as high as 145%, while China threatened retaliatory tariffs of 125%. During the initial 90-day truce, the United States reduced its China tariffs to 30%, with China dropping its tariffs on U.S. goods to 10%. "We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They've been dealing quite nicely. The relationship is very good with President Xi and myself." Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration announced trade deals -- to lower tariffs in exchange for larger U.S. investment -- with Japan, South Korea and the European Union. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Bitcoin, Ether on the rise as crypto surges
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Bitcoin nearly hit an all-time high on Monday as demand from commercial treasury buyers and established investors lifted the digital asset market overall. Cresting to as much as 3.3% to exceed $122,000, Bitcoin just missed a previous record reached last month. Ether had a big weekend by surging over $4,300, its highest climb since December of 2021. Bitcoin traded at approximately $121,200 as of 6:15 a.m. EDT, while Ether reached $4,250. The gains rode a wave of swelling interest in cryptocurrencies from digital-asset treasury companies that have achieved a Bitcoin stash worth $113 billion. "If you don't stop buying Bitcoin, you won't stop making money," Michael Saylor, Founder and Chairperson of Bitcoin treasury company Strategy, posted to X Sunday. Similar groups have also amassed around $13 billion of Ether as well, and its options markets reflected the optimistic attitude with a total put-call ratio of 0.40. The alignment of Bitcoin and Ether looks to be heading into September and December with calls in line with macro rate-cut timing and further adoption by the traditional financial system, according to Sean McNulty, derivatives trading lead of APAC at digital-asset prime brokerage FalconX Ltd. "Second-ranked cryptocurrency Ether outpaced rivals over the weekend to lead a broad rally in digital assets, as demand from institutional investors and corporate treasury buyers builds," McNulty posted to X Sunday. The digital asset research firm 10x Research posted a blog Monday stating that "Something big just shifted in Bitcoin's backdrop," which it described as a "wave of macro forces" that is colliding with market positioning and creating an atypical situation, born in part from a rapid interest from the Asian market, a breakdown of otherwise strict patterns and the Trump administration's crypto policies. As for Bitcoin, its next hurdle is to clear its all-time high of $123,205. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
