Lycos users can now
reach out and make calls, with the launch today of AT&T’s
revamped Chat ‘N Talk program.
The latest version of the Internet phone technology is designed to enable
up to seven people to turn an online chat session into a confidential,
real-time voice conversation, AT&T said. It is a component of AT&T’s
Inter@ctive Communications that is featured on the Lycos Web site, as part
of a June alliance between the two companies.
AT&T collaborated with software firm eShare Technologies in enhancing
the Chat ‘N Talk program.
“This next generation of AT&T Chat N’ Talk helps define the word
‘community’ when speaking about how the Net is bringing people together,”
said Robert J. Davis, president & CEO of Lycos Inc. “Through a combination
of AT&T’s advanced communications and e-Share’s hosting technology, Lycos
chat group participants can come together in an anonymous vocal forum.”
Participants who want to speak to each other on the phone while online can
enter their
phone numbers, and Chat ‘N Talk will connect the parties, keeping their
information confidential, AT&T said. There is a set-up fee of $0.50 per
participant and a charge of $0.25 cents per minute per user, dialed from
anywhere
in the U.S. All charges are payable by the conference host, according to
the company.
According to the firms, system requirements are a 486 or higher PC, running
Windows 95 with at least 16 megabytes of RAM; Internet Explorer 3.02 or
above, Netscape Navigator
3.0 or above; and one phone line separate from an Internet connection.
In addition to the agreement with Lycos, AT&T has similar agreements with
rival portal sites Excite and Infoseek.
