NEW NETSCAPE COMMUNICATOR TO INCLUDE FREE CONTENT FROM 40+ COMPANIES
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (October 24, 1996) -- Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced that users of Netscape Communicator will have access to free content from the more than 40 providers who are currently part of the Netscape In-Box Direct service. Netscape also announced that the service has been further expanded to include new information from ten additional companies. Netscape In-Box Direct, available immediately for Netscape electronic mail users who want to receive their favorite Web content automatically, has received more than half a million subscriptions for a variety of leading content and services since it came online earlier this month.
With the introduction of Netscape Communicator client software, Netscape is expanding the service to take advantage of Netscape Communicator's rich new email capabilities. New participants include Cybershop, E/Calendar, Hearst New Media and Technology, Kaplan Education Interactive, Travelocity (a Sabre, Worldview partnership), The Warner Music Group, The Red Herring, The Washington Post, The Weather Channel and TV Host Inc. Netscape In-Box Direct allows users of Netscape email to subscribe to their favorite content and news on the Internet and receive it directly into their email inboxes. The service harnesses the rich-text messaging capabilities of Netscape Navigator mail, delivering HTML-based messages as interactive, dynamic Web pages complete with sound, graphics, video and 3D animation.
"We see the expansion and early success of Netscape In-Box Direct as an indicator of two fundamental trends: the growing popularity of rich Web-based email and people's desire to have their favorite Web content available to them with no surfing required," said Mike Homer, senior vice president of marketing for Netscape. "The advanced messaging capabilities of Netscape Communicator will make it even easier for millions of users to take advantage of this innovative subscription service, which brings valuable content directly to them at no cost. This service is an ideal way for content and service providers to reach users in businesses and at home, enabling users to get their favorite news and services right in their email inbox."
The new content providers announced today will provide a range of information and services: TV Host will offer customized guides to television programs, based on a users' interests; The Washington Post will email daily breaking news with a special focus on news from the nation's capital and political news; The Weather Channel will send out regular weather news and forecast information; Hearst New Media, one of the world's largest publishers, plans to deliver content from a variety of Hearst sources including Redbook, Good Housekeeping and Country Living.
Netscape Communicator, Netscape's next-generation Internet client software, will provide Netscape In-Box Direct subscribers with an enhanced user experience, through the advanced email features of Netscape Messenger, Netscape Communicator's email component. In addition to features available to current users of Netscape Navigator Mail, such as support for full-featured HTML-based email, Netscape Messenger will allow users to work offline, so messages downloaded and stored in their mailboxes will retain all of the richness the online experience currently provides. Users will also be able to filter, sort and organize incoming messages into folders, providing an easy way of tracking news and information arriving via their Netscape In-Box Direct subscriptions.
Netscape users can subscribe to any of the content and services offered through Netscape In-Box Direct by registering on Netscape's Web site. The content is currently free for users of Netscape Mail.
Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling 415/937-2555 (corporations) or 415/937-3777 (individuals).
Netscape, the Netscape Communications Corporation logo, Netscape Communicator, Netscape Navigator, In-Box Direct, Netscape Messenger and Netscape are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation.