Netscape Unveils Integration Software

Netscape Communications Corp. unveiled software that allows users to view desktop computer files, e-mail and Internet content together, a move to blunt Microsoft Corp.’s introduction of its updated Internet Explorer browser today. Netscape’s software, called Aurora, will be part of the next version of its Communicator package. Communicator lets users view and display Web pages while sharing documents, e-mail and calendar schedules with co-workers. Communicator, expected to be introduced in the first half of next year, will retail for $59, said Mike Horner, Netscape senior vice president. Netscape made its announcement at the Seybold Publishing 97 conference in San Francisco. Microsoft, which has steadily been stealing market share from Netscape’s Navigator browser, aims to have half the market by next year. Shares of Mountain View-based Netscape fell 50 cents to close at $38.50. Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft’s shares rose $1.13 to close at $134.50. Both trade on Nasdaq.