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Microsoft Corp.

Browser Wars Heat Up: New Releases and Market Share Shift

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Netscape's new Communicator 4.5 browser, released for download last week, aims to revive its dwindling market share. The browser will integrate tightly with Netscape's Netcenter 2.0 Web site, offering user-friendly features like address-less web surfing and enhanced search capabilities. Meanwhile, Apple's stock has surged to new highs, with a 160% gain since the beginning of 1998. Microsoft has overtaken IBM as the leading software seller, with $14.48 billion in fiscal 1998 revenue. Sun Microsystems has also made waves with its Jini technology, which harnesses the power of millions of computers for distributed computing.

Key Takeaways:

  • Netscape's Communicator 4.5 browser is available for download, with features like address-less web surfing and enhanced search capabilities.
  • The browser will integrate tightly with Netscape's Netcenter 2.0 Web site, offering easy registration and improved user experience.
  • Apple's stock has gained 160% since the beginning of 1998, with new products like the translucent blue iMac expected to boost shipments and sales.
  • Microsoft has taken the lead in annual software sales, with $14.48 billion in fiscal 1998 revenue, surpassing IBM's estimated $13.03 billion.
  • Sun Microsystems' Jini technology uses Java programming to harness the power of millions of computers for distributed computing.

Statistics:

  • 160%: Apple's stock gain since the beginning of 1998.
  • $14.48 billion: Microsoft's revenue in fiscal 1998.
  • $13.03 billion: Estimated IBM software revenue in fiscal 1998.
  • 1 million: Estimated number of Windows 98 operating system copies sold since its June 25 release.
  • 160: Percentage of Apple's share gain.

Sources:

  • NF (Netscape founder) press release, Wednesday, (no exact date mentioned)
  • Apple Press Release, "Apple Posts Third Consecutive Profitable Quarter", Thursday, July 16, 1998
  • Microsoft Press Release, "Microsoft Reports 1998 Annual Results", Wednesday, July 22, 1998
  • Sun Microsystems Press Release, "Sun Unveils Jini, the Revolution in Distributed Computing", Wednesday, July 15, 1998

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