America Online Launches Next-generation Netscape 6 Browser.

Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2000

Powered by Open Source Gecko Browser Engine,

Provides Powerful New Web Browsing and Internet Technology

Across Multiple Platforms and Devices

AMERICA ONLINE AND GATEWAY INTRODUCE NEW SPECIALIZED INTERNET

APPLIANCES FEATURING "INSTANT AOL" TO ADVANCE AOL ANYWHERE

STRATEGY

AOL Gateway Countertop, Wireless Web Pad and Desktop Internet

Appliances, Enabled by Gecko Technology and LINUX Operating

System, To Extend AOL Convenience to Every Room of the Home

America Online, Inc. (NYSE:AOL), the world's leading interactive services company, today announced Preview Release 1 of its next- generation Netscape 6 browser. In addition, AOL and Gateway (NYSE: GTW), the leading seller of consumer PCs by revenue, introduced a family of specialized Internet appliances featuring "Instant AOL" to advance the AOL Anywhere strategy. Both Netscape 6 and the new Internet appliances are powered by Netscape's Gecko browser engine technology.

Steve Case, America Online's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, announced in his keynote address to Spring Internet World 2000 today:

-- Preview Release 1 of the Netscape 6 Internet browser and communications software suite, powered by Gecko technology, that will enable Web browsing and Internet communications across multiple platforms and devices.

-- The AOL Gateway family of specialized Internet appliances featuring "Instant AOL" -- which automatically will launch the service as soon as the device is switched on -- include a countertop appliance, wireless Web pad and desktop appliance, a simplified, lower-cost alternative to the PC. All three devices are powered by Gecko and the open source LINUX operating system.

-- Full support by Netscape 6 and Gecko for state-of-the-art, open source standards -- including XML -- that enable Web developers to create powerful Internet-based applications to enrich the interactive experience for consumers and businesses.

-- The launch of a major marketing campaign for Netscape.

On the launch of Netscape 6 and the Gecko browser engine technology, Mr. Case said: "Our next-generation Netscape 6 browser will provide consumers and businesses with exciting new opportunities to enjoy the full energy and versatility of the interactive medium -- anywhere, anytime and any way they want. Powered by the open source Gecko technology, Netscape 6 will deliver more robust and lively content with new levels of speed, convenience and customization, and will allow people to take advantage of innovative new applications that reside on the Web, not just on their desktops."

On the AOL Gateway Internet devices, Mr. Case commented: "These groundbreaking Internet appliances featuring `Instant AOL' will take our AOL Anywhere strategy to another level. These devices advance our goal of extending convenient and easy-to-use AOL-branded interactive services to new devices, and embedding them into consumers' everyday lives. Both of these important initiatives, along with our merger with Time Warner, further advance our mission to build a global medium as central to people's lives as the telephone or television, and even more valuable."

AOL President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Pittman said: "By combining Netscape's pioneering technological leadership with America Online's unparalleled focus on consumers, we have created real synergy that takes both our business and the medium to a whole new level of success. Together, Netscape 6, Gecko browsing engine technology and our AOL Gateway appliances will be making the Internet a more constant and convenient companion in consumers' everyday lives."

Netscape 6 Provides Convenience and Power for Next Stage of the Internet's Development

Netscape 6 expands the Internet's convenience from the desktop PC to additional Internet devices like TV set-top boxes, Internet appliances and Web-based kiosks, as well as on a wide range of computing platforms, including LINUX, Apple OS and Windows.

Breaking new ground with its small size and sleek performance, Netscape 6 is faster to download and easier to install than ever before, and renders Web pages quickly for more convenient and enjoyable browsing.

Netscape 6 offers Web developers full support for Internet standards, the common programs that enable them to create richer and more interactive content, and to create new online applications so that users can perform everyday tasks online without having to install additional software.

Netscape 6 also provides a variety of innovative features and options, including:

-- "My Sidebar," the first-of-its-kind, fully customizable feature that lets consumers always keep the online functions and information they rely on most right at their fingertips. Netscape today is announcing that several leading providers, including CNN, eBay, CNET, and NYTIMES.COM, have developed tabs for My Sidebar, making their content available to Netscape 6 users.

-- A complete package of communications functions, including Netscape Instant Messenger, and the ability to access multiple e-mail accounts, including AOL accounts, at the same time.

-- "Themes" which let consumers personalize the look and feel of the browser. Users who want to create a "news theme," for example, can do so using CNN.com

-- Best of breed enhancements such as the Java plug-in from Sun Microsystems; Net2Phone-powered Internet telephony services that let users make calls from their computers; the new AutoTranslate feature, based upon Gist-in-Time(TM) from Alis Technologies, Inc., which translates Web pages in one click; and Netscape 6 Cookie Manager, which allows consumers to accept or block cookies placed on their hard drives.

Barry Schuler, President of AOL Interactive Services, said: "Netscape 6 and its Gecko browser engine will fuel the next wave of the Internet that will run on multiple platforms and many devices in addition to the traditional PC. Built from the ground up, Netscape 6 is a completely new browser that delivers a more robust and lively Internet experience. Gecko not only powers our new browser, but also anchors the mission critical technology that enables consumers and businesses to access the Internet from anywhere. America Online is putting all the pieces together to give consumers what they want: Interactive services that are easy-to-use, integrated and always available."

AOL and Gateway Unveil Prototypes of Countertop Appliance, Wireless Web Pad and Desktop Appliance to Extend AOL Convenience to Every Room of the House

The first three AOL Gateway Internet appliances featuring "Instant AOL," which are slated for launch within a year, provide consumers with a customized version of the AOL software. It will offer popular AOL content and features like e-mail and news as well as customized information for busy households including AOL's My Calendar, Address Book, phone numbers, recipes, coupons and grocery lists.

These appliances include:

-- The AOL Gateway countertop appliance, a device that is small and light enough to be placed in highly trafficked areas of the house, such as the kitchen or family room.

-- The Web pad offers a wireless connection to a compact base station, enabling the consumer to use the appliance to access popular AOL features and content, as well as the Web, from anywhere within the home.

-- The desktop appliance, a simplified Internet device for busy families and other consumers seeking additional ways to access the Web, will serve as a lower-cost alternative to the traditional PC.

Powered by the Gecko browser engine, these AOL Gateway Internet appliances will run on a LINUX operating system.

Netscape Gecko Takes the Interactive Experience to A New Level

With its unprecedented power, speed and open source standards support, Gecko is the first browser engine that allows developers to implement versatile, distributed Web applications, with rich user interfaces, to W3C standards rather than to proprietary or platform-dependent code.

Because of its cross-platform architecture, Gecko can run on multiple computing systems, including LINUX, Mac OS and Windows, as well as power a wide range of new devices. Netscape recently announced that Gecko will be used by technology industry leaders IBM, Intel, Liberate, NetObjects, Nokia, Red Hat, and Sun Microsystems for new Internet products such as TV set-top boxes and browsing appliances.

America Online also plans to use Netscape Gecko across the AOL family of brands -- including AOL TV, AOL Instant Messenger, CompuServe, AOL@School, Spinner, Winamp and ICQ.

America Online to Support Netscape 6 With Netscape's Biggest-Ever Advertising and Marketing Campaign

Starting today, America Online is running a series of advertisements in national newspapers and magazines, and on broadcast and cable television networks, with the slogan -- "Netscape: The power of the Internet made simple."

When the final Netscape 6 product launches, Netscape expects to ship copies of the browser through manufacturer partnerships with Compaq and Gateway, and marketing partnerships with companies such as Kodak. Netscape 6 will also be distributed through America Online's successful Browser Distribution Program, and through the recently launched Affiliate Browser Program.

About Netscape

Netscape is a leading provider of software and services for businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging Net Economy. A subsidiary of America Online, Inc., Netscape is based in Mountain View, California. Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending e-mail to [e-mail], or by calling corporate sales at 650/937-2555.

About America Online, Inc.

Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services. America Online, Inc. operates: two worldwide Internet services, America Online, with more than 22 million members, and CompuServe, with more than 2.5 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers; AOL MovieFone, the nation's #1 movie listing guide and ticketing service; and Spinner.com and NullSoft's Winamp, leaders in Internet music. Through its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the company develops and offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies operating in the Net Economy.

WEBCAST: http://corp.aol.com/cgi/netscape/webcast.html 11:30 - 12:30 PM ET (signal test) 12:30 - 1:15 PM ET (Internet World Keynote Address) 1:15 - 2:30 PM ET (Press Conference)

B-ROLL SATELLITE FEEDS: Feed Date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2000 Feed Time: 3:00 - 3:15 PM ET Coordinates: C_BAND: TELSTAR 6 /TRANSPONDER 8 /AUDIO 6.2 & 6.8 Re-feed Date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2000 Re-Feed Time: 7:00 - 7:15 PM ET Coordinates: C_BAND: TELSTAR 6 (C) /TRANSPONDER 7 /AUDIO 6.2 & 6.8