Netscape first with Java browser for Win 3.1

Netscape has beaten Microsoft to the punch by delivering a version of its Navigator Web browser that puts Java in the hands of Windows 3.1 users.

The version, Navigator 3.01 for Windows 3.1, is the first 3.1 browser with Java support and is available for download now. Microsoft is working on adding Java support to its Internet Explorer for Windows 3.1.

Separately, Netscape said it has posted a developer-only pre-release version of its Communicator software that includes Navigator 4.0 plus e-mail, conferencing and workgroup capabilities. An open beta is thought to be close at hand.