Netscape gives up browser battle

Former browser giant pulls out of the race, 'Whatever' says Microsoft...

Netscape is pulling out of the browser market and repositioning itself as a content hub for Time Warner magazine readers and broadcast viewers.

According to reports, Jim Bankoff, president of Netscape, said that although the browser was still the "crown jewel" of Netscape, the company would not be known mainly as a browser player by 2002.

Netscape formerly commanded 90 per cent of the web browser market before a long battle with Microsoft's Internet Explorer left it in tatters. It has recently seen its market share further eroded by Norwegian start-up browser firm Opera.