Software utilities giant Symantec Corp is expected to generate some Internet swell next week that Microsoft Corp will have to surf over while trying to establish the Web-style features of its anticipated Nashville interface next year. The Cupertino, California-based company is promising to make it easier for users to search the Internet and their own Microsoft desktops, but doesn’t expect to go up against the likes of AltaVista and Yahoo! since its product will live on a PC. It’s not going to give it away for free either. Symantec says Redmond may deliver similar features and functions as part of Nashville and related technologies – see other top story today – but also estimates Microsoft may leave holes for other vendors to fill in. Although Symantec goes head-to-head with Microsoft on some developer products, it’s also made a business out of plugging holes Redmond has left, with products such as its Norton anti-virus and system utility software. And seeking to get its Web credibility established well before Nashville appears, expect to see plenty of advertising in newspapers and Web pages touting the new software. Nashville is supposed to let users explore their computer as if it was a Web site and provide an easier path onto the net, along with functions such as alerting users if there have been changes to their favorite sites (CI No 2,880). Symantec isn’t creating a separate division for its Internet products, but says it’s spreading Web-enabling capability to its products where it makes sense.
