NeoPlanet

250px NeoPlanet Welcome Page in NeoPlanet Browser running in Windows
Developer(s)	NeoPlanet Inc
Initial release	1997
Stable release	1.262 / 2001
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Type	Web browser

NeoPlanet was a Trident-shell graphical web browser initially released in 1997 by New York based Bigfoot International, Inc. and later maintained and developed by its subsidiary NeoPlanet, Inc.^[1][2] It was one of the first browsers to be fully skinnable.

The Neoplanet program was originally created by James Friskel.^[3] Neoplanet Inc. was a subsidiary of Bigfoot International, Inc. Both companies were founded by Lenny Barshack and James Hoffman.

History[link]

A beta version of a trident shell NeoPlanet was released in October 1997, one month after Internet Explorer 4.0 release. It featured a built-in directory of channels further divided into categories and was for use with Windows 95 and NT. In the fall of 1998 Bigfoot released the NeoPlanet 2.0 version with a new feature of customizable interface. It was positioned as an alternative to Netscape, Microsoft's and AOL offerings.^[4] The new version also featured Snap (a joint-venture between CNET and NBC) and Alexa services incorporated into the browser.^[5]. The free 1.9MB download was a significant interface upgrade with four skins included and 16 more available on the newly launched NeoPlanet site, while the Microsoft Internet Explorer`s underlying features remained unchanged.^[6]

In January 1999 Bigfoot spun out NeoPlanet division into NeoPlanet, Inc., headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Warren Adelman was its president at that time. One of NeoPlanet’s main focus was providing its customizable browser to the third parties pioneering the branded browsers niche.

McAfee and Terra Lycos were among NeoPlanet's first partners, each launching multiple versions of branded browsers.^[7][8] Also in 1999, NeoPlanet, together with New Line Cinema, launched the Austin Powers browser to coincide with the premiere date of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.^[9] The Austin Powers Browser marked NeoPlanet's first branded browser for a feature film. The NeoPlanet/New Line launch of the Dr. Evil Browser soon followed.

With the release of version 5.0, Neoplanet made a move toward virtual communities. The browser described as an "Internet Desktop" added Macromedia Flash, instant messaging and NetClubs.^[10]

In the spring 2000, NeoPlanet moved its headquarters to Tempe, Arizona. It then raised $23 million from Integral Capital, J & W Seligman, Constellation Ventures, Broadview and several other investors during the second round of funding.^[11]

Throughout 2000, NeoPlanet garnered partnerships to market and distribute branded browsers with major companies in the entertainment, computer manufacturing and sports arenas, including Universal Studios, Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records, USA Networks, MTV, Lord of the Rings, TV Guide, Hewlett Packard, Carolina Hurricanes and Phoenix Coyotes. Also, a "matching skins" campaign with RealNetworks allowed users to match the look-and-feel of the NeoPlanet Browser with that of RealNetworks' RealJukebox TM.

Also in 2000, Universal Pictures launched the official Grinch Web Browser at www.meanone.com to promote the movie Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The new browser featured unique interface designs with sounds and images from The Grinch movie and direct "channel" links to Grinch Web sites and the Universal Pictures Web sites. The Grinch Browser also featured a Lycos/Grinch Club, an integrated online community that provided movie fans with a vehicle for sharing similar interests with other users.^[12]

In 2001 NeoPlanet released its Viassary suite designed to personalize PC users` experience and to help companies to better understand and communicate with their customers.^[13] Compaq and HP were among its clients. As of 2001 the number of Neoplanet users reached 8 million.^[14]

Features[link]

The client part of NeoPlanet browser resided on the desktop as a small application environment (less than 2Mbs) providing: Internet navigation, an embedded customizable directory, a new level of personalization through customization of the GUI, integrated e-mail, chat and automatic updates. The customizability of the application created ability for distribution and content partners to brand the user’s online experience.

The server side of NeoPlanet’s product enabled collection of rich data about the end-user’s online experience, enabling timely and relevant targeted advertising.

Skins[link]

Skins were a prominent feature of NeoPlanet; it was one of the first browsers to be fully skinnable. Most of skins were created by users.^[15] NeoPlanet became popular for creating browsers for movies, such as New Line Cinema`s Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me or Universal Pictures' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and sports teams, such as the Phoenix Coyotes. The browser had been branded by MTV, USA Networks, Interscope-Geffen-A&M, Hewlett-Packard, TV Guide among others. It had over 550 available skins as for October 2001.^[16]

Integrated Apps[link]

In addition to e-mail, NeoPlanet integrated other Internet communications features, specifically, Chat, Instant Messaging, and Buddy Lists.

Customizable Bookmarks[link]

NeoPlanet was one of the first browsers to include sophisticated bookmark management. It also provided for downloadable sets of bookmarks that featured “best of” links for special interests, local information and web based resources.

Technology[link]

NeoPlanet’s client server architecture was built to allow future models to be plugged in via a object model. NeoPlanet’s auto-update feature was designed to facilitate deploying these new features. The front-end was a complex layered series of software objects that are presented to the user as one unified application. This was accomplished through an abstraction layer which allows for independence of the HTML rendering engines, independence of look and feel for re-branding/distribution by partners, and communication with the NeoPlanet back-end. The NeoPlanet front-end had the ability to dynamically respond to requests from the back-end to update itself in whole or in part.

NeoPlanet’s client/server architecture also included a scalable back-end server component. The NeoPlanet back-end had the ability to track and target marketing and promotions, even through corporate firewalls.

Issued Patents[link]

• Messaging system for indicating status of a sender of electronic mail and method and computer program product therefor^[17]

• Method in a computer system for embedding a child window in a parent window^[18]

See also[link]

• List of web browsers

References[link]