The long-standing partnership that allowed AOL members to login to iTunes with their AOL credentials will come to an end at the end of next month, meaning those consumers still taking advantage of that ability will need to migrate to an Apple ID or lose access to iTunes, the App Store, and the iBookstore.
Apple detailed the migration procedure in a recent support document, saying that those who refuse to make the change before March 31 will lose access to any content purchased from the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBookstore under their AOL username. Unlinking the accounts will not affect any AOL services.
To convert their AOL login into an Apple ID, user simply need to sign in to iTunes on a Mac or PC using their AOL username. An on-screen guide will walk through the process.
Once migrated, the new Apple ID will maintain access to content purchased under the AOL username. In addition, users will be able to access other Apple services, including iCloud.
The wording of Apple's announcement makes it appear that it is AOL who have chosen to end the partnership, which first began in 2003.