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Netscape 7.0 arrives, promises better performance

By Dennis Sellers
Macworld AUG 28, 2002 5:00 pm PDT

Add another volley in the Web browser wars. Netscape Communications, a subsidiary of America Online Inc., announced today the release Netscape 7.0. Promising better performance, new features, a new toolbar, an expanded Netscape Network and enhanced access to entertainment and music features like the new Radio@Netscape Plus.

Netscape 7.0 will run on Mac OS 8.6 through Mac OS X 10.1; Netscape hasn’t said whether it’s been tested with Mac OS X 10.2 (“Jaguar”). You’ll need at least a PowerPC 604e 266 MHz or better, 64MB of RAM and 36MB of hard disk space to use the browser.

The latest version of Netscape purportedly speeds up start-up times. Laura Yecies, vice president of Netscape’s Client Product Division, said that other new features include:

  • Tabbed Browsing, which lets you keep track of multiple sites or pages simultaneously by maintaining numerous sites as tabbed pages within a single browser window.
  • Click-to-Search, which lets you run a search on any word or phrase in the text of a Web page without having to leave that page. You just highlight the word or phrase using your mouse and choose “Web Search.” Results appear in a separate window and in the Search tab in My Sidebar.
  • Instant Messaging, based on AOL Instant Messenger. Netscape 7.0 now provides built in access to the service.
  • Netscape Mail, which has been enhanced with a Quick Search and simplified Mail Filters.

    • The updated Netscape Toolbar is now featured on sites across the AOL Time Warner online universe. It features Netscape branded tools including the new Netscape Search powered by Google, Netscape Mail, AIM, Radio@Netscape, and MapQuest.

    As part of today’s launch, Netscape also unveiled a new toolbar and an expanded Netscape Network designed to offer users content from top AOL Time Warner online brands, as well as integrated Web-based tools and services like Netscape Mail and Netscape Calendar.

    In addition to the launch of the new client, the Netscape network has added improved access to entertainment and music features like the new Radio@Netscape Plus, a stand-alone radio client that touts a minimized toolbar state, “Now Playing” information and contextual links to artist and song information. Unfortunately, it’s Windows only.

    Localized versions of Netscape 7.0 are being launched in the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Japan today, as well. Traditional Chinese and Spanish versions of Netscape 7.0 are also available for download. Netscape has a lot resting on the updated Web browser, as Netscape usage is reportedly down to 3.4 percent.