New York (NY) - Reminding everyone that it's still in the browser game, Netscape has released a beta version of Netscape Navigator 9.0.

While the slate of new features brings ideas not seen in mainstream browsers, Netscape's abominably low position in the market makes it unlikely to affect Firefox or Internet Explorer.

In addition to a visual update, Netscape 9 has a URL correction feature that automatically corrects typos of common websites.  It also has a handful of new sidebars, including one that shows the latest news from Netscape.com and a secondary bookmarks list.  

There's also a "mini browser" sidebar that lets users essentially have a picture-in-picture browsing experience.  Finally, the friends' activity sidebar lets users share comments and website recommendations.

Additionally, opening a new tab gives the new page the same session history as the original page, so users can scroll back and forward to websites even after opening a new tab.

Navigator 9 also lets users shift the size of embedded text boxes in web pages.  Some of the other minor additions are the merging on the stop and reload buttons (since users never need both at the same time), an in-browser notification when new Netscape.com sitemail messages are available, and support for OPML bookmarks.

Just as notable is the shared architecture with Mozilla, allowing Netscape 9 users to use the same add-ons as those in Firefox 2.

Forgot they still existed...

Jun 08, 2007 16:17     

Why do they even bother making new versions? Firefox and Opera are superior in every way.
Pete report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Will anyone care?...

Jun 08, 2007 20:38     

They'll have to do something very special for anyone to even notice them. As mentioned, Firefox shares the same arcitecture, and netscape offers little incentice to change. And Opera is better than all of them, so im doubting this will make anyone notice
The Big Cheese report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I'd care....

Jun 08, 2007 21:15     

Because I do web design...and this is just one more platform I'll need to test on. We need less browsers, and tighter compliance with the existing ones. Choice can be a great thing, but it's great for consumers, bad for web designers. I hope this browser can brew coffee. I'll probably be up all night testing on it.
spanko report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Superior in its own way

Jun 09, 2007 01:18     

I've been using netscape long time ago when there are only two major browser for Windows. Then, I switched to Firefox cause there are no version update for Netscape that have special features that matters like tabs. So, I downloaded it and satisfy with it features. Because it uses Firefox architecture, I don't find any differences compared to Firefox except the skins. I'm looking forward to learn new features Netscape has to offer. Don't jugde the ability of this browser yet if you haven't use it. Give it a chance.

Wahidi report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

So pretty much opera... how is this innovative

Jun 09, 2007 07:39     

THe "mini browser" and session history are just stolen ideas from Opera. Sure browsers take each others ideas and thats fine, it makes them all better. But there's nothing special about this new netscape.
Aaron K, report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Netscape

Jun 10, 2007 05:04     

Been using Firefox for along time and decided to give Netscape a try. They share the same architecture but I can see that Netscape is a lot faster and does not seem to have the memeory leak problems of FF. So I wll hang with Netscape for a while and see what happens. As for Opera nice browser but not as customizable as FF or Netscape
Calus report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Memory Leak..

Jun 10, 2007 14:55     

That's the biggest problem with FF so far.. With 9 tabs opened, just 20 minutes of usage, and it's using 80mb already.. FF can be slow too specially the 1st page you load directly from the Fav. bar..
Wateva report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Forgot they still existed

Jun 11, 2007 05:29     

With that kind of reasoning, one might say: "Why do the bother to make Firefox and Opera, when IE is superior in every way." Just trying to make a point.
Buu report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Text box shifting

Jun 11, 2007 08:07     

The ability to resize textboxes in websites? First, what is the good use for this? And if there is a good use... they'll be wondering what just happened to the page as everything tries to resize and breaks. I'd like to see it in action, not enough to download it though.
Truxy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0