Netscape: A decade of survival

The Netscape browser turned 10 years old last week as a shadow of its former self, but the lights haven't gone out yet on one of the most storied brands in Web history.

America Online, which has see-sawed over its pricey Netscape acquisition for years, is once again readying the brand for a comeback try, CNET News.com has learned.

The move is a surprise, considering the company laid off hundreds of Netscape programmers less than a year ago and is reported to be developing a standalone browser based on Microsoft's rival Internet Explorer technology.

Even so, sources familiar with the plans said the Time Warner unit is putting the finishing touches on new versions of the Netscape browser and Web portal. The company expects to unveil them with a recharged marketing strategy in December or January.

AOL declined to detail the new Netscape's features, but sources familiar with the company's plans said this browser was a distinct effort from the IE-based release also in the works. AOL also kept mum on details of the portal or the marketing push beyond promising a launch near the New Year.

"Netscape continues to be one of the most valued brands and one of the most valued products on the Internet," said AOL spokesman Andrew Weinstein. "And the Netscape team is working hard to take advantage of those strong attributes to re-energise the brand and its products."