March 15th, 2000

[9:30 AM] PointCast Goes The Way Of Edsel, Replacement Service Still Leaves Mac Users Out by Staff PointCast, the "push" focused news and information service, has officially been disbanded. In place, PointCast users are being directed to the new "push" service, EntryPoint. While PointCast functioned as a screen saver and gave users a new way to get information, EntryPoint will be less obtrusive, but more functional, say EntryPoint representatives. At this time, however, there is no Mac version available. The reason for the change is not a new direction for PointCast, but rather a reflection of new ownership. PointCast was acquired by LaunchPad Technologies, and EntryPoint signals the direction that LaunchPad wants to take. According to EntryPoint: EntryPoint has combined the power of PointCast's technology, news and information resources with the convenience of eWallet's e-commerce applications that make shopping online easier. Taking up less than an inch of desktop real estate, EntryPoint is a free downloadable toolbar delivering timely, personalized news and information to users' desktops. Over the next several weeks, however, we will stop all broadcasting over the PointCast Network. Additionally, all product support for the PointCast Network will cease on February 24, 2000. EntryPoint can ge downloaded for free, but only if you use Windows. You can find more information at the EntryPoint web site. The Mac Observer Spin: The glory of "Push" technologies. It was all the rage, as far as buzzwords go, about 2 1/2 years ago, kind of like set top boxes are all the rage now. The various push services have found that they have been unable to push their way onto the desktops of computer users. PointCast caused quite a rumpus in the Mac community when they announced they would cease Mac development of their client during version 1.0. It's so sad to see them go the way their Mac client went... It will be interesting to see if EntryPoint decides to enter the Mac market any time soon. EntryPoint