AOL to Be Acquired by Italy’s Bending Spoons

In a surprising move, Italy’s Bending Spoons has announced its acquisition of AOL, the once-dominant American internet giant. The deal, reportedly worth hundreds of millions, signals a major shift in the digital landscape, merging AOL’s legacy with Bending Spoons’ aggressive growth strategy.

AOL’s Rise, Decline, and Verizon Era

AOL (America Online) was the face of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s, famous for its dial-up tones and “You’ve Got Mail” greeting. However, as broadband took over, AOL struggled to stay relevant.

In 2015, Verizon acquired AOL as part of its push into digital media. Later, AOL merged with Yahoo to form Oath Inc. (later rebranded as Verizon Media and then Yahoo). Despite these efforts, AOL’s influence faded—until now.

Who Is Bending Spoons?

Founded in 2013, Milan-based Bending Spoons is known for acquiring and revitalizing struggling apps like Evernote, Remini, and Splice. Their strategy focuses on improving monetization and operational efficiency.

This acquisition is their biggest yet, raising questions about their plans for AOL’s remaining assets.

Why Did Bending Spoons Buy AOL?

While specifics remain unclear, experts speculate Bending Spoons may target:
– Ad tech infrastructure
– Patents and intellectual property
– Legacy user base and brand recognition

AOL still owns niche digital properties (some now under Yahoo), but whether they’re part of the deal is unknown.

Tech Industry Reactions

Reactions are mixed:
– Optimists see potential in AOL’s nostalgic value.
– Skeptics question if the brand still holds relevance.

“AOL is a Web 1.0 relic, but relics have value,” says tech analyst Rahul Mehta.

What’s Next for AOL?

Possible outcomes under Bending Spoons:
– Modernized niche services (e.g., AOL Mail revamp)
– Integration into existing Bending Spoons apps
– Asset sales (patents, tech infrastructure)

One thing is clear: the tech world will be watching closely.

— Team NextMinuteNews