NeoPlanet Inc has launched NeoPlanet 5.0, a web browser whose email, instant messaging, chat and virtual community features qualify it as a fully-fledged internet desktop – or so the company claims. The software, available for free download, incorporates the community platform and real-time messaging services of Lycos Inc-based Valent Software Corp. By integrated popular features that were previously only available to users as separate applications, NeoPlanet 5.0 represents a milestone on the internet, claimed NeoPlanet CEO Drew Cohen. If multiple functionality doesn’t float your boat, you can tailor the interface to your own taste by using the built-in skins. Packard Bell NEC seems to like the concept: it plans to ship NeoPlanet 5.0 bundled with Packard Bell consumer PCs. The internet desktop will be co-branded and integrated with Urocket, the PBNEC-Lycos-UUNet joint venture. Boxes will start from $499.
