In the market for a hybrid engine? Netscape"s new Web browser might be just the ticket.
As of 8 a.m. PST Tuesday, Netscape fans were test-driving a prototype Netscape browser that runs on two different browsing engines: the Mozilla Foundation"s Gecko engine, which powers up the Mozilla, Firefox and older Netscape browsers, and Microsoft"s Internet Explorer engine, which many consider the de facto Web standard.
The prototype"s release follows earlier reports that the AOL unit planned a comeback for the Netscape browser and portal, as well as indications that the new browser would include some surprises under the hood. It also follows a years-long pattern of browser bet-hedging in which AOL has maintained its Netscape browser unit while supporting Microsoft"s competing IE browser.