I don't know how much influence in decisions TWX had in AOL.
They sure had their reasons to dump them.
On the other hand, AOL are now free to make their own ways.
Never heard any news though about innovations or anything.
And if MSFT YHOO or GOOG or anyone won't show any interest in them (like MSFT in YHOO) then they are surely doomed.
I see AOL becoming something like RNWK.