March 26, 1997 2:00 PM ET
Netbot introduces 'parallel pull' E-commerce application
By Maria Seminerio

Ten-month-old startup Netbot Inc. rolled out its Jango application for using its "parallel pull" technology to quicken and simplify the experience of online shopping. Jango, debuted at PC Forum this week, works in concert with a user's browser to search for specified items within online storefronts, instantly prepares a listing of detailed product information, reviews pricing and manufacturers' specifications, according to officials at Netbot, based in Seattle. The parallel pull technology enables a user to request a specific product and retrieve purchasing information from more than 30 Web sites simultaneously. Users can link directly to online storefronts to read more about the product and to make a final purchase. When the shopper is ready to purchase an item, the application automatically adds the user's requests, such as number, sizes and colors of selected items, to an online order form. Jango runs on Windows 95 and Windows NT, and communicates with online stores through standard Web protocols, using the stores' existing interfaces, Netbot officials said. The company is now accepting applications for a free public beta test of Jango, to begin next month, at www.jango.com/. Jango 1.0 is scheduled to roll out this summer, company officials said. It will be available as a free download from the company's Web site at www.netbot.com/. Copyright(c) 1997 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company is prohibited. PC Week and the PC Week logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. PC Week Online and the PC Week Online logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. Send mail to PC Week