AOL to prevent Windows Phone OS from accessing web mail

[Jeffrey Fox]

My wife just got an email from AOL regarding her account stating that after April 27th she won't be able to access her mail through Internet Explorer/Windows Phone, at least that's how I'm reading it. I'm assuming that she will still have access through the Outlook mail app, can anyone confirm this?

I'm a bit pissed after reading this. They say they aren't supporting "at risk browsers and operating systems" but freakin' BlackBerry and WebOS are on their list. Ridiculous...

 

[libra89]

This is strange...

 

[avengerxp]

Seriously? then it should be Internet explorer (windows phone 8), still AOL cannot do that..

 

[OmniusOne]

Here's the email they sent. I dunno, doesn't mention Chrome or edge (although does say Android. A bit confused.)

AOL Mail

We've got important news about your mob. ile AOL Mail access. Keep reading to find out how to access your mail after April 27, 2016.

The mobile device you use to access AOL Mail has been detected as having a security-risk browser or outdated operating system. Effective April 27th, 2016, AOL will no longer support security-risk browsers and operating system combinations. In order to help protect your security and continue to provide you with a great user experience, we're asking you to upgrade to the latest browser or operating system (this is especially important if you are using an old browser or operating system).

Here's a list of supported browsers and operating systems: ?iPhone with iOS 5 and above
?iPad with iOS 5 and above
?iPod with iOS 5 and above
?Android 4.1 phones and above
?Android 4.1 tablets and above
?Blackberry 10
?Nexus 7
?WebOS Products

Thank you,
The AOL Mail Team

 

[Jeffrey Fox]

My wife emailed the AOL tech support folks for clarification. Here's their response. Sounds like massive miscommunication between the PR team and tech support. I'm inclined to believe the tech support guys below but I really don't want my wife to have to deal with the pains of owning a Windows Phone, she's been a trooper so far with her little HTC 8X.

Good Day,

Thank you for contacting the AOL Email Support team. We are sorry for the inconvenience created by this situation.

Please note that the official AOL mail ?Important upcoming changes for mobile mail? addresses the discontinuance of support for WAP browsers only. WAP browsers are present on old mobile phones only and is using an old protocol for accessing the internet.

We want to inform you that these changes do not impact in any way smart devices (smart phones, tablets, etc) running on Android, iOS or Windows mobile operating systems. This means you can continue to access your AOL Mail using a browser without any issues after April 27th.

We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have created and thank you for reaching out to us. If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Best regards,

Anna
AOL Email Support Specialist​

 

[Saijin_Naib]

I got this as well and I have to say my heart was warmed to see webOS in the supported list, haha. Good to know the love still runs deep for others

 

[LockOnTech]

When it mentions about "risk browsers" I wonder if they mean about heartbleed; I remembered some time ago when I had my 521 and the 635 it remain that the IE was still vulnerable.

 

[Witness]

It's this kind of misinformation - unintentional or malicious that constantly hinders WM from being more widely adopted.

 

[Jazmac]

There goes AOL trying to be relevant again but I hear ya AOL. Any press is better than NO press at all.

 

[art meadows]

They say
"We want to inform you that these changes do not impact in any way smart devices (smart phones, tablets, etc) running on Android, iOS or Windows mobile operating systems. This means you can continue to access your AOL Mail using a browser without any issues after April 27th."

My phone has a Windows mobile operating system and I cannot get my aol mail. This makes me furious because I cannot get my mail on my phone and that's the only way I get mail. I hate when companies hang you out to dry. I've had AOL for years but this sure makes me want to switch.

 

[Jim M3]

Yes. I have a 'dumb phone' whose main purpose was to check email. A couple days ago both browsers (one is Opera mini) could not access AOL mail. Tried a couple more Java based browsers with no further success. Guess unless you own a smart phone, you're out of luck.