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Browser wars are on again
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July 15, 1997: 6:54 p.m. ET
Microsoft releases second preview of IE 4.0, complete with push client
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday took another step toward closing the time gap in the latest Web browser race between it and Netscape Communications Corp.
The company released the second preview edition of Internet Explorer 4.0, which features improved browsing functionality through the use of new navigation buttons and an "auto complete" function that allows users to type in only the first few characters of a Web site they've visited before.
New features include active desktop and active channels. Active desktop allows users to use the Web browser to browse files on their computers and perform other functions previously accomplished by the Windows 95 operating system. The active desktop feature will be available only in the Windows 95 and NT versions.
Active channels is Microsoft's version of a push client, allowing users to define content they want delivered to their computers and schedule the downloads in any interval they prefer.
The company said Tuesday it had signed alliances with more than 250 companies including Warner Brothers, Paramount, The New York Times and Walt Disney to deliver "push" content to active desktops.
The browser's active channel feature will come pre-configured to receive material from about 30 content providers.
Appearing Tuesday on CNNfn's "Digital Jam," Yusuf Mehdi, director of Microsoft's Internet division, said the "push" deals it reached with companies did not require them to choose between Internet Explorer 4.0 and the Netcaster push client in Netscape 4.0.
Mehdi played down criticism from Netscape and others who say the integration of the Web browser with the desktop interface will only extend Microsoft's dominance.
"I think the important thing is customers have asked us to provide a single, integrated experience by integrating the Internet with their computer. We do this in such a way that allows other browsers to run just fine," he said.
Despite predictions from competitors like Mike Homer, vice president of marketing for Netscape, that the browser would not ship by the end of the summer, Mehdi said Microsoft remains committed to that schedule. (93K WAV) or (93K AIFF)
He said versions for Windows 95 and NT will ship at the same time giving millions of computer users the opportunity to get a better grip on the Internet..
"The millions of folks who have never been on the Internet will be just one click away from the best of the 'Net," he said.
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