MSN targets Mac users

NEWS To combat falling numbers of dial-up subscribers, Microsoft has extended the reach of its MSN internet service to Mac OS X users. Microsoft yesterday 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. 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. 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.