MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., August 8, 2001 - Netscape Communications, a subsidiary of America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), today announced the launch of its Netscape 6.1 browser, the latest update to the Netscape browser suite. Netscape 6.1 greatly enhances the performance and stability of Netscape 6.0 while adding numerous new features. Netscape 6.1 offers users of Netscape Communicator and other browsers a compelling upgrade experience.
Netscape 6.1 lets consumers do more online with efficiency in completing tasks, power through more choice, and safety with more control over the user's online experience. This product offers consumers the Internet applications they have come to depend on, including the Netscape Navigator browser, Netscape Mail, Netscape Instant Messenger powered by AOL Instant Messenger, and Netscape Composer, as well as other tools and plug-ins that help users get more from the Internet.
With Netscape 6.1, consumers and business professionals can check multiple email accounts, send and receive instant messages between family, friends and business associates, and perform searches for information on the Internet from the web address field within the browser. Users can even check stock quotes and get the latest news headlines by choosing from among hundreds of tabs in My Sidebar -- a customizable area of the browser where users can stay connected to what is most important to them. My Sidebar is always available; whether browsing in Netscape Navigator, reading email in Netscape Mail, or checking their Buddy Lists, users can keep the information, people and services that they most care about at their fingertips.
Netscape 6.1 is powered by the small, fast, embeddable Netscape Gecko browser engine that leads the industry in standards compliance and can run across a wide variety of platforms - from traditional PCs running Windows or MacOS to new consumer devices running Linux. Netscape also has reduced the size of the browser software to make it smaller, faster and easier to download than competing browsers, and has set up the installer to allow users to choose only those components they want before they actually download them. In addition, the new Quick Launch feature in Netscape 6.1 speeds the consumer's Internet experience by dramatically reducing the startup time of the browser.
Efficiency in Completing Tasks
Netscape 6.1 has been designed with efficiency in mind, to reduce the number of steps -- and time -- it takes to get things done on the Web.
Features in Netscape 6.1 that save time so people can complete important tasks more quickly while online include:
- Startup Time - The new optional Quick Launch feature in Netscape 6.1 dramatically reduces the startup time of the browser
- Search - Auto complete in the URL bar initiates a search with one click
- Bookmarks - One click "File Bookmark" interface makes it easier to save bookmarks directly into folders
- History - History tab in My Sidebar lets users quickly find web pages they have previously visited
- Enhanced User Interface - Mail interface includes a startup view that helps users get started in a particular email account more quickly, by providing one click access to their inbox, account settings, email filters, and more
- Download - Download interface clearly informs users where a file has been downloaded, and lets them launch the file directly from the download dialog box
- Form Manager Ð Allows users to automatically fill an entire web form with their name, address and more, all in a single action, and not one field at a time
- Email Ð Offers the ability to use multiple email accounts and to switch smoothly from a business to a personal identity while keeping those correspondences separate
- Instant Messenger - Click a special Instant Messaging icon on a web page or in an email message to launch an instant messaging session with a buddy; Netscape 6.1 also allows users to spice up their messages with Emoticons: fun "smiley-face" images to add to email and instant messages
Power Through Choice in How to Use the Web
Netscape 6.1 includes a number of features that provide added flexibility so individuals can choose how they use the Internet, such as:
- Search Ð Allows users to integrate almost any search engine, offering consumers hundreds of choices
- My Sidebar Ð Choose from hundreds of tabs from Netscape and third parties, including new tabs like History, Shopping and FedEx
- Mail Accounts Ð Provides easy access to multiple email accounts including Netscape WebMail, AOL Mail, as well as other IMAP and POP email accounts
- Instant Messaging Ð Allows users to sign up for multiple screen names and choose which one to use anytime
- Languages Ð Provides the ability to switch browser software to support the content and language of a user's choice without restarting or downloading new software
- Operating Systems and Devices Ð Netscape 6.1 users can enjoy the same experience on Windows, MacOS or Linux
Added Safety With More Control Over the Online Experience
Many Internet users are concerned about their privacy and security online. Netscape 6.1 delivers users more control over the privacy and security of their Internet experience than any other browser.
Some of the safety features included in Netscape 6.1 are:
- Cookie Manager Ð Lets users choose which sites can set cookies and which sites to block; individuals can also easily view all cookies and delete them all or selectively delete them from within the Cookie Manager
- Password Manager - Netscape's Password Manager saves time and trouble by remembering and automatically filling in username and password information for specific web sites
- Master Password Ð Allows users to set a Master Password so people who have access to their computer can not access saved passwords or use them to access personal information on the web
International Launch
Netscape 6.1 is simultaneously launching in the U.K., Germany and Japan, as well as in the U.S. In addition to localizations in French, German and Japanese, Netscape 6.1 has added support of Hebrew so users can now browse and write email with Hebrew characters, right-to-left. Netscape 6.1 also supports Arabic on native Arabic Windows.
In addition to offering a number of international versions, Netscape now offers users the ability to select their language separate from their content. For example a Japanese speaker living in the U.S. could choose to view U.S. content in Japanese. In addition, the popular AutoTranslate feature has also been upgraded to include Russian, as well as an intra-European setting that allows users to translate Web content from one European language to another.
Best of Breed Enhancements
Netscape 6.1 also incorporates additional features from industry-leading technology providers, including Sun Microsystems, Net2Phone, Macromedia Flash, Winamp, RealPlayer, and HP.
Netscape 6.1 Availability
Netscape 6.1 is available for download free of charge at http://home.netscape.com/computing./download/index.html. Free browser downloads will also be prominently advertised at the leading download sites on the Web, including CNET Download.com, ZDNet Downloads, Tucows and PC World. Netscape 6.1 CDs can also be ordered on Netscape.com at http://cd.netscape.com.
About Netscape
Netscape Communications is a leading provider of tools and services wherever people go on the Internet. Netscape pioneered the development of world-class Web browsers, including Netscape 6, and offers a full range of convenient Web applications. Netscape.com is one of the most visited sites on the Internet with more than 40 million registered users. Netscape Netbusiness ranks among the fastest-growing Internet destinations for small business owners. A subsidiary of AOL Inc., Netscape is based in Mountain View, California. Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com or by calling 650-254-1900.
Netscape and Netscape logo are registered trademarks of Netscape Communication Corporation in the United States and other countries.
