AOL arming for browser wars

AOL arming for browser wars

America Online AOL is reported testing software that would end its
exclusive reliance on Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. A Web
site which reports developments

about new software, betanews.com, said AOL’s agreement to use IE,
and be installed on PC desktops with Windows OS, ended January 1 and
was not renewed.

This coincides with news a test version of AOL’s newest CompuServe
client operates with Netscape’s newest browser. Internal AOL documents
said that Komodo, the new beta, will be available for AOL as well as
CompuServe in August 2001, betabnews.com reported. That software
allows users to select whether their software will use Internet
Explorer or Netscape to render Web pages. AOL owns Netscape.

An AOL spokesman confirmed to CNET new CompuServe software is being
tested. He added the relationship with Microsoft MSFT remains valuable
for the company.

Universal gets GetMusic

A pair of Web sites focused on finding and exposing new music
talent have been acquired by Universal Music Group. The company
announced it’s taken full ownership of the music media company
GetMusic and its Web site Farmclub.com. Previously, BMG Entertainment
had a 50 percent interest in the properties. BMG will continue to

work with GetMusic and supply programming content from its labels,
the companies said. GetMusic will expand internationally and work with
a developing European portal

Vizzavi (www.vizzavi.net), a joint venture between Vivendi
Universal V and Vodafone VOD.

Yahoo bars reports from annual meeting

While Yahoo YHOO plans to bar journalists from its annual
shareholders meeting tomorrow, scribes, and plain common folk, can
listen to the session via the Internet.

Yahoo’s investor relations Web page contains a link to a webcast of
the meeting (docs.yahoo.com/info/investor).

Swatch time for AOL

Swatch has agreed to make a watch you can use to access America
Online’s properties on the Internet. The Swatch Group said it planned
to develop, promote and market "a range of product lines with AOL
Time Warner entertainment content. "These (items) will be
designed to make Internet access easier and create an additional
emotional and

exciting experience for the consumer." the companies
announced.

Inquiring minds can peek

The publisher of the National Enquirer will make some of its
breaking news and Hollywood gossip available through portal site Terra
Lycos TRLY (https://entertainment.lycos.com). American Media Inc. also
publishes the Star, Weekly World News and Country Weekly magazines.
The agreement extends to the Lycos site’s

entertainment area, where a "Mike Walker National
Enquirer" gossip game will be available. The Enquirer and Star
are also available on the Web through their own sites,
nationalenquirer.com and starmagazine.com.