Netscape Launches Navigator 4.0 with Netcaster, Expanding Line of Client Products

Full-Featured Browser Provides Enterprise and Home Users with Web Browsing, Netcaster Channels, and New Web-based Email and Calendar Capabilities

Mountain View, Calif. (August 18, 1997) -- Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today unveiled Netscape Navigator 4.0 software with Netscape Netcaster, the stand-alone client software product that packages Netscape's popular full-featured browser component of Netscape Communicator client with the most sought-after Internet-based services and capabilities. Available for immediate download from the Netscape Internet site, Netscape Navigator 4.0 browser includes Netcaster, the first standards-based 'push' technology, as well as new server-based HTML electronic mail and calendaring capabilities.

"Today, Netscape is expanding its client product line by combining the world's most popular browser with state-of-the-art push technology, and bringing it to millions of new users everywhere," said Mike Homer, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Netscape. "The Netscape Navigator client continues to deliver to users low cost of ownership and an easy-to-use interface, providing a simple and familiar way to access all of the exciting and useful information on the Internet and Intranets." Ideal for large and small enterprise customers who want to incorporate Netscape's easy-to-use browser software into an established messaging or groupware solution, Netscape Navigator 4.0 client is the same full-featured browser that is included with the Netscape Communicator client software suite, delivering support for Dynamic HTML, JavaScript and 100% Pure Java. As an entry-level product, Netscape Navigator with Netcaster is ideal for consumers who want simple and user-friendly access to dynamic Web content and Internet-based services.

In addition to the feature-rich browser, Netscape Navigator 4.0 client includes the Netscape Netcaster component, the first 'push' software based on open Internet standards such as HTML, Java and JavaScript, allowing virtually any Web site to become a "channel" by delivering up-to-date information directly to the desktop. Users of Netscape Netcaster software can subscribe to rich, dynamic channels; view channels and other Web sites offline; and create Webtops, a favorite channel anchored to the desktop. By providing subscribers the option to view channels in Webtop mode, Netscape Netcaster software users constantly monitor the flow of information in the background, even while working in other productivity applications. Netcaster currently features more than 700 channels today, including name-brand channels such as USA TODAY, ABCNEWS.com, Nickelodeon and MTV accessible through the Netscape Channel Finder -- the guide highlighting the best channels on the Internet.

Netscape Navigator 4.0 software also provides users with new server-based HTML access to email and calendar functionality from anywhere on the Web. Email capabilities are available via a new capability called Messenger Express, which gives users roaming access to quick, basic email services. Messenger Express also enables rich HTML messages with hypertext links, and includes folders for mail management, sorting and searching. With Messenger Express, a user's email resides on a server until it is needed. The simple interface is available through the Netscape Navigator 4.0 browser and provides easy access to Internet-based messaging. Since Messenger Express uses the Web to access email, corporations can provide users the ability to download, read and send email from remote locations on the network.

Another new server-based capability, Netscape Calendar Express, allows Netscape Navigator 4.0 software users to access basic calendar information and services via Netscape Calendar Server software. Whether in the office, at home or on the road, Calendar Express users can view and modify their own calendars via remote access or view other calendars when they have permission. Netscape Calendar Express provides daily, weekly, monthly and yearly calendar views. Like Messenger Express, Calendar Express is designed for optimal ease-of-use, allowing users to display details of meetings and to confirm attendance with a simple mouse click. Messenger Express and Calendar Express require Netscape Messaging Server software and Netscape Calendar Server software.

When Netscape Navigator 4.0 software users are ready to move up to a full-featured, enterprise-ready messaging and calendaring solution, they can easily upgrade to the Netscape Communicator Standard or Netscape Communicator Pro client software suites using the Netscape SmartUpdate capability. SmartUpdate allows software to be easily upgraded by the user with a single click of a button. Software such as Netscape Communicator client software, packaged in a Java Archive Resource (JAR) file, can be automatically downloaded, unpackaged and installed on a user's PC.

Netscape Navigator 4.0 software is currently available for Windows 95/NT and Windows 3.1, and is expected to be available for Macintosh systems next month. Currently priced from Netscape at $39, Netscape Navigator 4.0 software is available directly from Netscape and through a number of OEMs, Internet service providers (ISPs), telecommunications companies, distributors and resellers. Netscape Navigator 4.0 is available for download from the Netscape Internet site at http://home.netscape.com. International customers should contact their local Netscape sales office, ISP or reseller for pricing and availability.

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, or by sending email to moreinfo@netscape.com. Corporate customers can call 415/937-2555 while consumers can call 415/937-3777 for more information.

Netscape, Netscape Navigator, and the Netscape N logo 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.