REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 17, 1997 — MSN
™
, The Microsoft Network Internet online service (http://www.MSN.com/) , today announced it will offer a customized version of Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0, the highly anticipated new version of Microsoft Corp.’s Web browser, as the underlying browser technology for version 2.5 of the service. MSN 2.5, due later this year, will also ship with Outlook
™
Express, the Internet Explorer 4.0 advanced messaging tool, as its primary e-mail client. MSN, the second-largest online service in the United States, will be a premier distribution partner for Internet Explorer 4.0 by shipping the browser on millions of MSN 2.5 CDs.
In addition to running the latest Internet Explorer technologies, MSN will be a Premium Channel on the Internet Explorer Active Desktop
™
interface. The MSN channel will provide fast, easy access to all of Microsoft’s free online properties, such as Microsoft Investor, the Expedia
™
travel service, the Sidewalk
™
city guide, Internet Gaming Zone, the Slate
™
online magazine and the CarPoint
™
online automotive service. In addition, users can sign up for one free month of the MSN subscription service through the MSN channel.*
“By incorporating the Internet Explorer 4.0 browser into MSN 2.5, we continue our leadership position in offering our members the latest Internet technologies, helping make their time online more valuable and rewarding,”
said Laura Jennings, vice president, The Microsoft Network.
“MSN is designed to provide consumers a fast and easy solution to getting online and exploring all that the Internet has to offer. With Internet Explorer as the core browser technology, members of MSN can access valuable online services both within MSN and out on the Internet.”
Outlook Express
MSN 2.5 offers Outlook Express, a new e-mail system that will deliver faster, easier and more reliable service through new back-end servers and an enhanced e-mail client. Supporting Internet standards for incoming (POP3) and outgoing (SMTP) messages, the new mail system will work with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 and higher, including 4.0. The new system also provides MIME support, which allows members of MSN to exchange file attachments with other online services and e-mail systems.
Features of Outlook Express include an expanded Internet Address Book, which allows members to find e-mail addresses for millions of people in the Internet white pages. In addition, a powerful inbox-management feature enables members to sort incoming e-mail according to subject, author, file size and date. Thus, members can easily prioritize and screen their inbox and eliminate unwanted Internet mail.
Safety and Security
MSN 2.5 supports the new safety features introduced with Internet Explorer 4.0, including Security Zones, Authenticode
™
technology version 2.0 and content ratings that allow members to screen content before viewing.
Internet Explorer 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 is the premier Internet client that brings users
“the Web the way they want it.”
By combining an advanced Internet browser, complete communication and collaboration tools, innovative Active Channel
™
content and true, seamless Web integration, Internet Explorer 4.0 provides an unparalleled Web experience. Internet Explorer 4.0 also ensures that users can view the widest array of Internet content by offering support for the broadest range of Internet standards, including HTML 4.0, Dynamic HTML, Java
™
, ActiveX
™
and more.
MSN Background
The award-winning MSN is the second-largest online service in the United States, offering valuable services, rich communications and communities, and compelling entertainment on the Internet. MSN also provides hundreds of special-interest forums and bulletin boards and such high-quality services and Web programming as the Microsoft Encarta® multimedia encyclopedia, the Expedia travel service, Star Trek: Continuum® , Disney’s Daily Blast SM and Family.com SM , the Slate online magazine, the CarPoint online automotive service, the Microsoft Investor online investing service, and up-to-date news and information from MSNBC News. The MSN home page can be reached at (http://www.MSN.com/) . Additional press information is available at (http://press.MSN.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.
*MSN offer: For users of the Windows® 95 operating system only. One-month free unlimited trial is available to new members of MSN in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia or Canada only. A credit card is required. MSN premium charges, access charges (if access is purchased from a provider other than MSN) and local phone and/or long distance toll charges may apply. Access availability may be affected by local market network activity and capacity. Offer expires Dec. 31, 1997.
Microsoft, MSN, Outlook, Active Desktop, Expedia, Sidewalk, Slate, CarPoint, Authenticode, Active Channel, ActiveX, Encarta and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.
Star Trek: Continuum is a registered trademark of Paramount Pictures.
Daily Blast and Family.com are service marks of Disney Online.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft Network LLC.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. If you are interested in previewing the service enhancements to MSN, please contact Nate Schwalbach, (425) 452-5400, [email protected].
