Thought this message might be of interest.
The original,
Rich Ring
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 00:52:59 -0400
From: goldleaf <goldleaf@DNS.CITY-NET.COM>
Reply-To: Access to GUI via Speech <GUISPEAK@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU>
To: GUISPEAK@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU
Subject: Netscape for OS/2
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California and AUSTIN, Texas, August 28, 1996 . . Netscape
Communications Corporation and IBM today announced the development of a native
OS/2*, speech-enabled version of the Netscape Navigator** client software for
OS/2 Warp 4. The availability of a native OS/2 version of Navigator will
broaden the scope of content currently available to OS/2 customers via the
Internet.
Netscape Navigator for OS/2 is scheduled to enter beta testing by September
and is expected to be generally available to end users in the fourth quarter,
shortly after the launch of OS/2 Warp 4. The client will be downloadable at no
cost from both Netscape's and IBM's home pages to users of OS/2 Warp at
http://home.netscape.com and http://www.ibm.com ,
as well as the IBM Software home page [http://www.software.ibm.com/].
OS/2 Warp 4, IBM's new client operating system solution, will be available in
September. Incorporating speech recognition software, and Sun Microsystem's***
Java technology, OS/2 Warp 4 offers users some of the industry's most advanced
Internet capabilities. With 40 million users, Netscape Navigator is the most
popular Internet client software. With the addition of OS/2, it will be
available on 17 platforms, including Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Macintosh and
popular UNIX platforms.
"With built-in Java and Internet capabilities, OS/2 Warp 4 will become the
ideal client solution as we move toward a network-based computing
environment," said John W. Thompson, general manager of IBM's Personal
Software Products division. "The agreement with Netscape provides our users
with a leading Internet client that will include increased speech
functionality currently unavailable with other operating systems. Netscape
Navigator for OS/2 Warp 4 will enable users to surf the Web with a simple
voice command."
"This announcement represents an important strategic agreement for both
Netscape and IBM because OS/2 is an operating system that many corporate MIS
managers count on today," said James Barksdale, president and chief executive
officer of Netscape. "By building upon our strategic relationship with IBM, we
are able to provide all the features of Netscape Navigator to more than 14
million OS/2 users. Our support for the OS/2 operating system reinforces
Netscape's commitment to delivering cross-platform open systems software on 17
platforms."
Netscape Navigator for OS/2 will be fully speech enabled, supporting the
speech navigation and recognition capabilities in OS/2 Warp 4. This will allow
users to simply ask the computer to "jump" to a site on the Internet and
subsequently move around within that site by talking to the computer.
"Netscape has shown that it can harness the native power of OS/2 Warp 4 and
its voice recognition capabilities to extend and enhance its open platform
Navigator product," said Tim Sloane, an industry analyst with Aberdeen Group.
"By making a native OS/2 version of Navigator available to its customers, IBM
is significantly expanding the number of Web sites accessible to OS/2 users."
Netscape Navigator 2.02, the most widely used version of Netscape Navigator,
is currently being ported to OS/2 Warp 4 by Netscape and IBM, and is scheduled
to be available in the fourth quarter. In addition, Netscape and IBM are
jointly working on the development of native OS/2 versions of future releases
of Netscape Navigator.
Netscape Navigator for OS/2 will be very easy to download, with the URL listed
on the user's desktop once OS/2 Warp 4 is installed. A simple click on the
icon will take the user to the IBM Web site where the Netscape Navigator
client software can be downloaded. In addition, users will also receive the
software necessary for access to the IBM Global Network in the U.S. at a rate
of $19.95 per month for unlimited Internet access.
Client Software that Enhances OS/2 Warp's Capabilities
Netscape Navigator is an ideal tool for accessing information on the Internet,
offering users a powerful, flexible and easy-to-use environment. With Netscape
Navigator, OS/2 users will have a native, Java-enabled Web client and the
features that have made Netscape Navigator today's most popular Internet
client software. Some of the features that will be new to OS/2 users include:
Support for Plug-in extensions that enable third-party developers and users to
extend the capabilities of Netscape Navigator by allowing them to view and
support various applications.
Frame support , which will allow users to specify multiple, independent,
scrollable areas within a display window. Each frame can include a separate
document and can be resized and linked to other documents.
Built-in JavaScript in Netscape Navigator, which extends and enhances the
capabilities of HTML (HyperText Markup Language) documents and allows users to
open and view live Java applets and applications.
Netscape's HTML-enabled mail and news applications , which allow users to send
and receive dynamic messages.
In addition, OS/2 Warp 4 users will have Netscape Navigator's SSL encryption,
point-and-click navigation, threaded discussion groups, file transfers,
graphical user interface and other Internet services in a seamlessly
integrated package.
Netscape Navigator will take advantage of the features of OS/2 Warp 4,
including Java integration, which allows users to drag and drop Java applets
>from the Internet to their desktop, requiring only a voice command or mouse
click to launch the applet. Netscape's products are based on open industry
standards and protocols, and are compatible with the installed base of World
Wide Web clients and services.
OS/2 Warp 4
===========
The first Intel-based PC operating system solution to integrate speech
navigation and dictation as well as Java technology, OS/2 Warp 4 will be a
leading client-based operating system solution in today's intranet/Internet
environment. With OS/2 Warp 4, users can look forward to using the
battle-tested engine they are familiar with in OS/2 Warp Version 3, with an
improved user interface and easy Internet access. OS/2 Warp 4 will run in
heterogeneous environments with enhanced hardware and software compatibility,
offering users true cross-platform performance in a network computing
environment.
About Netscape
==============
Netscape Communications Corporation is a premier provider of open software
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 on-line applications. Traded on NASDAQ as the symbol "NSCP," Netscape
Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, Calif.
* IBM and OS/2 are trademarks or registered trademarks of IBM Corporation.
** Netscape and Netscape Navigator are trademarks of the Netscape
Communications Corporation.
*** Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other product and
service names may be trademarks and/or service marks of their respective
owners.
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