Microsoft to woo Mac users with MSN 8
Published: 15 May 2003 16:02 BST
Microsoft on Thursday released a version of its MSN Internet service for the Mac OS X operating system to expand its market reach.
MSN for Mac OS X marks the first time that the software giant has created a version of the Internet service for this version of the Apple operating system, according to Microsoft.
The software contains features similar to its most recent version of MSN 8, which includes a customisable user interface and popular tools such as Web browsing, email and instant messaging.
Like its Windows sibling, MSN for Mac OS X will be sold with dial-up Internet access for $21.95 (£13.51) a month or without that access for $9.95 a month.
The launch comes as Microsoft and rival AOL scramble to address the declining market for dial-up access in the face of broadband's growing appeal. Last month, Microsoft reported a 300,000 member decline in its subscriber numbers. While the company attributed the change to the cycling out of promotional and discounted subscribers, company executives also acknowledged that the stagnant dial-up market was not helping matters.
AOL last month reported its second consecutive quarter of subscriber declines. The Internet unit of AOL Time Warner said dial-up subscribers slipped by 289,000 in the US from the preceding quarter.
Microsoft and AOL have both taken strategic steps to address the growing appeal of high-speed broadband connections. The companies are trying to sell versions of their service to people accessing the Internet through outside access providers.
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