Top > Webmaster > 2005 > October > 2005-10-18

New HP Computers to Receive Netscape

America Online has landed a deal with Hewlett-Packard Co. to distribute its Netscape Web browser in personal computers sold in the United States and Canada starting early next year. This is the first PC distribution deal for an alternative browser since the 1990s, when Microsoft Corp. won the so-called `browser wars`.

AOL released Netscape 8.0 in May, basing it on the more secure software code of the open-source Firefox browser in an effort to capitalize on frustration over security flaws in IE that became avenues for spyware and other malicious programs to infiltrate PCs. Under the agreement, Netscape will be preinstalled on all new HP and Compaq brand consumer PCs. Users will be able to choose Microsoft`s Internet Explorer or Netscape as their default browser.

IE`s security problems drove millions of surfers to Firefox earlier this year. According to Web-based software firm Net Applications, Netscape had 2.16 percent share of the browser market in September, up from 1.91 percent in May.