Before smartphones took over, AOL by Phone was how you got online without actually being online. Launched in 2001, this service let you call a toll-free number to check email, get news, weather, sports updates, and even listen to stock quotes—just using your voice. You didn’t need a computer or internet connection, which made it feel kinda futuristic at the time. It used basic voice recognition tech and worked with your AOL account, so it was like having a stripped-down version of AOL in your pocket. Version updates added stuff like voice shortcuts and better navigation, but it never really blew up—probably because mobile internet was coming in fast. Still, for a hot minute, AOL by Phone was a clever hack for staying plugged in while you were out.