ICQ and Winamp, both interactive media properties of America Online, Inc. (NYSE:AOL), took the top two positions in CNET's annual ranking of the Top 10 Downloads for 1999, a coveted measure of the hottest applications available in cyberspace.
Holding down the number eight position was yet another AOL product, Netscape Communicator, making AOL the only company with three products in the CNET Top Ten.
CNET indicated that the software for ICQ, the world's largest online communications community, was downloaded more than 52 million times, more frequently than the rest of the top ten combined. CNET praised the fact that "despite its immense popularity, ICQ hasn't rested on its laurels during the past year" but had added exciting new features such as ICQ Active Lists, which let users create and join communities of shared interests, and ICQ Surf, which allows users to others surfing the same Web pages.
CNET noted that Winamp, the world's leading high-fidelity audio player for digitally downloaded music, was "the player of choice among devoted MP3 heads," downloaded nearly 10 million times in 1999. Winamp, acquired by AOL last year, and ICQ are both part of AOL's Interactive Properties Group.
The Netscape Communicator, a product of AOL's Netscape Communications unit, was downloaded more than 2.2 million times last year and drew praise from CNET for its convenient Smart Browsing, Netscape Radio Service and Shopping Toolbar features. Netscape Communicator launched its new 4.7 version in September of last year.
Ted Leonsis, President of the AOL Interactive Properties Group, said, "There's no better barometer of 'the next big thing' online than what's being downloaded, and there's no question that ICQ and Winamp fit that bill. ICQ's spectacular growth past the 50 million registered user mark last year is a tribute to the power of viral marketing, as users share the power and immediacy of the ICQ experience with others and encourage them to get on the service. Winamp is the hottest and most feature-rich player in another 'tornado app,' downloaded music. Together, ICQ and Winamp are keeping America Online, Inc. on the cutting edge of the development of the interactive medium as a truly central part of people's lives."
Published by Israel's Business Arena on January 9, 2000.