Availability of 'Windows-Friendly' Netscape Communicator Makes It Easy for Millions of Consumers to Choose the Leading Internet Browser and Portal Site
|
|
|
New Preview Release 2 of Netscape Communicator 4.5 Kicks Off Aggressive Plan to Bring Windows Users Home to Netscape and Extend Netcenter's Lead as the Fastest Growing Portal
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif (September 15, 1998) - Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced the availability of Netscape Communicator 4.5 Preview Release (PR) 2, the next version of its highly acclaimed browser suite. The 'Windows-friendly' version of Netscape Communicator brings choice back to millions of Windows users who want to easily select Netscape Communicator, Netscape Netcenter and Netscape Search as their primary Internet browser, portal and search services.
Netscape Communicator 4.5 PR2 is the newest version of the world's most popular browser, with its Smart Browsing, high performance Internet messaging and flexible roaming access. By leveraging Netscape's installed base of more than 70 million Internet users, Netscape is gaining traffic for many of Netscape's Netcenter portal services, such as exciting content, news and personalization. With this announcement, Netscape kicks off Project Turbo, an aggressive drive to turn Netcenter into the fastest growing Internet portal.
"With Netscape Communicator 4.5 PR2 and our Project Turbo initiative, Netscape is using our unique browser-portal advantage not only to leapfrog other browsers on the market, but also to bring users to the compelling content and services on Netscape Netcenter," said Mike Homer, executive vice president and general manager of Netscape's Netcenter division. "Because Netscape offers the powerful combination of the most popular browser with best-of-breed content on its Web site, Internet surfers will no longer have to suffer through aimless or overwhelming Internet searches, but will instead come home to Netscape for its breadth of leading-edge services, convenient access, high quality and familiar appeal."
Netscape is welcoming millions of users home by embarking on a bold campaign to simultaneously promote Internet choice and give Windows users easier access to Netscape Netcenter. Until now, Windows users who wanted to access the Internet automatically launched Internet Explorer, whether they chose to or not. Netscape Communicator 4.5 PR2 takes steps to preserve user choice and make the Internet 'Windows-friendly' by asking users their preferences at the onset of installation. Today, when Windows users download and install the new Communicator 4.5, a simple checkbox asks them to choose Communicator as their default browser suite; choose Netcenter as their default homepage, and even choose Netscape-branded Search as their default search provider. In addition, upon first launching Netscape Communicator 4.5, users are presented with an easy, one-step auto-registration process to sign-up for Netcenter services if they are not already members.
Specific Windows-friendly features that preserve Internet choice and bring users back to Netcenter include:
Netscape's unique ability to meld its Internet client software, such as Netscape Communicator 4.5, with powerful Web-based services, such as those offered via Netcenter, delivers a comfortable, integrated Internet environment to consumers, so they do not need prior or extensive Internet experience to master the Web and email. By integrating its Netscape Navigator browser with Netscape Netcenter services, a new user experience called "Smart Browsing" frees users from remembering complicated URLs by letting them type common words. Netscape also automatically offers related information to the idea or subject currently being viewed and can filter objectionable Web sites for consumers.
Additional new improvements to Communicator 4.5 include several high-performance email enhancements. An easy-to-use customizable Messenger user interface allows users to choose between 2- and 3-pane email views, and maneuver any of the panes to their personal liking. Consumers who still use Outlook Express and Eudora now have an easy, painless way to convert to Netscape Communicator email and import all their preferences and addresses. Netscape Messenger has also improved its AutoComplete functionality, which intuitively recognizes frequently used email addresses and finishes them before the user has completed typing them.
Netscape Netcenter is Netscape's leading portal site that provides users with a home base on the Internet. From Netcenter, users can navigate the Internet, access a broad range of consumer and business content and services, and communicate with others online. The site includes 17 content channels, a set of leading-edge services including the new Netscape-branded Search, SmartUpdate, Software Download, Member Directory, My Netscape personalization service, and WebMail.
Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software and services for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools, commercial applications and professional services to create a complete platform for next-generation, 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 650/ 937-2555 for corporations or 650/ 937-3777 for individuals.
Netscape, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Certificate Server, Netscape ONE, SuiteSpot, and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel logos are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries. Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other countries. Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. |