You have several options for using AOL with the Phone Edition.
<ul>
<li><b>AIM via SMS option</b> - see FAQ <a href="pocketpcphonefaq.php#600" class="postlink">How do I send AIM messages using SMS?</a></li>
<li><b>AOL via browser</b> - you could use Pocket Internet Explorer, or one of the other available browsers to access AOL or AIM through the internet. Their normal site, http://www.aol.com doesn't work correctly with a Pocket PC, but the Australian site at http://au.aol.com/site/website/aolpr...mail/index.php should work.

UPDATE: We just learned the AOL has a PDA portal for accessing your mail... maybe in beta. Check it out at http://dmail.aol.com .
</li>
<li><b>AOL Client for PocketPC - Version 2 - </b> <img src="images/software-aol2.gif" align="right">If you are an AOL junky, AOL has just made available AOL 2.0 (and AIM 2.0 a few weeks ago) for your consumption. With the Buddy List feature and instant messaging, AOL members can stay connected with friends, family and business associates even without a PC or laptop. In addition, AOL 2.0 for Pocket PC 2002 has new personal e-mail signature and sorting capabilities which make e-mailing on the go easier than ever!<ul><li>AOL Mail - Send &amp; receive e-mail </li>
<li>AOL Instant Messenger - send &amp; receive IMs &amp; access the same Buddy List feature you use on your PC </li>
<li>AOL Address Book - access your AOL address book from your handheld</li>
<li>Web Browsing - Use your AOL connection to browse the web. </li>
<li>Auto AOL - automatically download new mail, send mail and then sign off with one single tap </li>
<li>Access the AOL service with up to seven different screen names </li>
<li>File Attachments </li></ul>You can download it or buy a copy for $19.95 at Handango. </li>
<li>AOL Client for Pocket PC - Version 1 - Version 1 is not supported on Pocket PC 2002, so it technically shouldn't work on the Phone Edition. This Link is a free download for an older version of the AOL Client (there are mixed reports as to whether this will work with the Phone Edition or not... some saying it worked for them, others saying it required a hard reset and corrupted ActiveSync... so, use at your own risk!!!!).</li>
<li><b>AIM Client for PocketPC</b> - AOL also offers an AIM client for the PocketPC that allows you to send &amp; receive IMs, access the same Buddy List® feature you use on your PC , access your AOL address book from your handheld, and chat with up to 7 screennames. Version 2 of the AIM Client is out now and available at Handango. </li>
</ul>
The AIM client has been available off and on for free around the internet. If you are a T-Mobile Phone Edition User, you can download it for free at <a class="postlink" target="_blank" href="http://t-mobile.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=538&jid=4FBE74DFX3178DD8C19FX1169E45B972&catalog=0§ionId=0&productType=2&platformId=2&productId=43017">AIM for T-Mobile PocketPC Phone</a>. This version will <b>ONLY</b> work on T-Mobile devices.

To use AOL, you must be an AOL member (monthly fee). To use AIM, you need a screenname, available for free at <a class="postlink" target="_blank" href="http://my.screenname.aol.com/_cqr/login/login.psp?siteId=aimregistrationPROD&authLev=1&mcState=initialized&createSn=1">AIM Screenname Service</a>.<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>

__________________
Mike - Been Converged?

Clipped from the AOL Client page:

Introducing AOL for WinCE & Pocket PC handhelds (not compatible with Pocket PC 2002). Keep in touch with AOL e-mail and instant messaging in the office, on the road, or anywhere!

NOT COMPATIBLE WITH POCKET PC 2002. Therefore it's not possible to use this with the T-Mobile.

Dwight

Apparently the one on the t-mobile.handango.com site is specifically for the T-mobile XDA and it is supported. Thus ppc2002 is somewhat supported via this new app.

But only for T-Mobile, and its free for T-mobile users.

As an AT&T user (who has used the AIM 2.0 CE version and it works fine just have to manually connect) I feel somewhat gipped that AOL decided (or whomever) to release a carrier specific software.

I hope this trend doesn't catch on.

Maybe T-Mobile initiated a version for their phones... I'm sure the carriers are going to move to distinguish themselves from one another.

__________________
Mike - Been Converged?

Thanks for the correction... this applies to the AOL client only, not the AIM client. I'm inquiring as to whether AOL will support 2002 in the future.

Please register for pdaPhoneHome and help us get more dialog going.... thanks again!

__________________
Mike - Been Converged?

I did some testing and I can confirm that this T-Mobile version only will work on a T-Mobile PPC Phone Edition and not a AT&T SX56.

There still is a free (or if you want to pay 19.99 on Handango) AIM 2.0 for CE floating around which I had along time ago, and installed that after removing the T-Mobile version and it still works.

Not sure if there is any major differences besides being specific to T-Mobile.

Hopefully AT&T will follow suit and have their own "branded" version as well. I hate wasting SMS messages (plus it costs $) versus using GPRS bits.

With T-Mobile, you can get 500 SMS messages added for $2.99, so that's a pretty cheap way to go. How much are they with AT&T?

Updated this FAQ with a url that will work from a Pocket PC to check AOL Mail. Also discovered that this wasn't indexed on the FAQ page... fixed that.

__________________
Mike - Been Converged?

Updated with link to pda webmail for AOL.

__________________
NewsGuy
pdaPhoneHome

REGISTER and join in the Discussions!!!

Updated with Version 2 info.

__________________
Mike - Been Converged?

Is there something wrong with this link? It doesn't work for me. I'm interested in using AIM via SMS on my Phone Edition with T-Mobile. I have AIM 2.0 downloaded and it works fine, but I'd like an option where I'm always connected. Anyone have any solutions for me? Thanks.

Anyone have any idea on my question in the above post?