Snap! Adds Web-Based E-Mail Powered by iName

CNET Inc. signed a three-year strategic partnership with iName, a provider of email technology and solutions.

The companies will jointly develop a new, free, ad-backed Snap!-branded HTML email service as part of Snap!’s selection of portal features.

Set to launch in mid-June, the Snap! email service, powered by New York City- based iName, is being designed to provide users with a comprehensive free e- mail solution. Snap! currently offers chat, classifieds, maps and driving directions, yellow and white pages, email addresses and customizable features including stock quotes, horoscopes, sports scores, local weather and movie listings.

CNET will also provide links and marketing support from its network of sites, including CNET.com and NEWS.com. Advertising will be sold by iName, with revenues being shared by the two companies. In return for user registrations, CNET will also earn an equity position in iName.

“The vision for Web-based messaging surpasses the email correspondence we’re familiar with today,” said Tom Melcher, general manager of Snap!. “Our highly competitive email service will be the communications cornerstone of Snap!, allowing users the freedom to have one email account for life. We selected iName for its technical superiority, reliability and OEM business model and expect email to be a tremendous traffic builder for Snap!.”