Netscape 8.1 released

Today Netscape 8.1, a Firefox based browser from AOL Netscape division was released.

As in previous versions Netscape adds a number of features like viewing incompatible web sites using Trident, Internet Explorer’s rendering engine, two themes (Winscape and Fusion), an enhanced form and password manager, weather updates, centralized site preferences (cookies, password, Java, Javascript, images, rendering engine and ActiveX) and AOL instant messenger.

It also features anti-spyware protection, a Dynamic Security Center, profile manager, RSS support rendering, tabbed browsing enhancements, UI enhancements and performance improvements.

Beware that during setup it also offers a chance to download additional software and collect usage information. In my quick test, the anti-spyware protection identified eMule as spyware so it seems to be a little paranoic. Since Netscape added a number of widgets and options, Firefox themes are incompatible with Netscape so users don’t have many options to change its appearance. Incredibly it doesn’t recognize web site feeds. Users have to click on RSS/Atom feeds to open them (Netscape will render them with a nice layout) and then bookmark them. There is no live bookmarks support at all so these are lost when importing from Firefox.

Otherwise with its fresh look and convenient features it may be an interesting alternative for some users.