AOL to Offer Mobile Phones, Services
America Online has launched a new mobile-focused Web site where users will be able to purchase mobile phones, as well as learn about and register for mobile services offered by the company. AOL also announced on Monday it had re-launched the mobile version of its AOL.com portal.
The company has joined with InPhonic to allow it to sell phones and service plans through AOLMobile.com. Users will be able to compare phones and see what AOL mobile features the phones are compatible with.
Current AOL Mobile customers can manage their account and subscribe to additional services directly from the Web site.
"The new AOLMobile.com site is all about personalization and simplification," Rajive Mathur, vice president, AOLMobile.com said in prepared remarks. "It's also a 'mobile home base' where users can easily manage their wireless service accounts."
AOL's new mobile portal also debuted Monday offering several new features for users. The revamped portal supports the WAP 2.0 standard, and is the first major upgrade to the site since its creation in 2001.
Users will now be able to use the search client from the mobile portal interface in addition to AOL's You Got Pictures service. AOL subscribers will be able to read and respond to e-mail from their phones, and the company says it plans to add AIM Mail support in the near future.
The mobile site can be accessed by visiting www.aol.com from a WAP 2.0-enabled mobile phone.