WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., and REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 8, 1996 —
— Prodigy Inc. today announced a cross-distribution agreement whereby Microsoft® Internet Explorer 3.0 will be the default browser for Prodigy’s upcoming Internet-based service. In turn, Prodigy’s new service will be available through the Online Services folder on the Windows® 95 operating system desktop.
Prodigy will establish Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 , as well as future upgrades and releases, as the default browser for the Windows 95-based version of Prodigy Internet, the company’s Web-based service scheduled to be available in coming weeks. Prodigy will also feature Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for users of Windows 3.1 and Macintosh when versions of the browser are available for those operating systems.
“Prodigy is a well-known name in the online universe and a popular way to access the World Wide Web, so we’re pleased the company has selected Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 as the browser for Prodigy Internet,”
said Brad Chase, vice president, developer relations and marketing, Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft Corp.
“Today’s announcement establishes Microsoft Internet Explorer as the featured browser of every major online service providing consumer access to the Internet.”
Under terms of the agreement, Microsoft will integrate Prodigy software into a folder on current and future versions of the Windows 95 desktop, offering computer users virtual one-click access to Prodigy Internet. Prodigy also plans to incorporate Microsoft ActiveX
™
technologies in design elements of Prodigy Internet.
“Inclusion of our software with the Windows 95 operating system represents an important strategic step in establishing Prodigy Internet as our new flagship product,”
said Paul DeLacey, president and CEO of Prodigy Inc.
“Microsoft Internet Explorer and its innovative technologies play an important part in Prodigy Internet’s design goal of helping consumers find and access information on the Web much more easily than in the past.”
Prodigy offers its members a wide range of news, computing, weather, sports and financial information; educational content and reference materials; communications features such as e-mail, bulletin boards, Usenet newsgroups and chat; World Wide Web access; travel reservations; shopping; online brokerage and banking services; and hundreds of other offerings. To join Prodigy, call (800) PRODIGY (776-3449). Software is shipped at no charge, the first month’s fee is waived, and 20 hours are provided for users to check out Prodigy and all its offerings. Prodigy software can also be downloaded from the World Wide Web at (http://www.prodigy.com/) .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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