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1994-08-11
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=====================PRESSREL Recent IBM Press Releases=============
IBM TO RELEASE "WARP" BETA 2 August 9, 1994
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 9, 1994 ... IBM today announced that its second beta
release for the next version of OS/2*, code-named "Warp," will be
available next week. The second beta release offers more productivity
enhancing features and a BonusPak with applications in a fast, fun, and
easy-to-use environment. The first beta cycle tested performance
enhancements and IBM's new PlayAtWill capability.
Designed for business, mobile and home PC users, Warp Beta 2 combines the
maturity of the OS/2 32-bit operating environment with new features for
mobility and quick productivity, such as simplified installation, reduced
memory requirements, a floating tool bar, animated icons and a more
responsive user interface.
The Warp Beta 2 comes with an applications "BonusPak." The BonusPak
includes a suite of productivity applications, including IBM's
Person-to-Person real-time conferencing software, and integrated access to
online services. IBM is making Warp Beta 2 widely available to users who
want to subscribe by ordering from IBM's 800 number or by downloading the
software from CompuServe.
"Warp is loaded with value and is a high performer on notebook PCs, which
will broaden OS/2's market appeal to mobile corporate users, small
businesses and home offices," said Wally Casey, director of marketing, IBM
Personal Software Products division. "With Warp, Windows users will be
more productive and current OS/2 users will love the speed and usability
improvements."
Customer-Driven Usability
Warp Beta 2 features numerous usability enhancements, including:
* Easy Installation -- At set-up, users select "easy install" and OS/2
automatically handles the complete installation, identifying the hardware
and configuring it to meet specifications. Experienced users can select
an advanced install that provides customization ability.
* New Look & Feel -- In Beta 2, the user interface, or OS/2 Workplace
Shell, features new colorful animated 3-D icons. For example, an animated
folder icon confirms visually the status of a folder. When a user opens a
folder, the icon opens to show it's active. Updated color and scheme
palettes allow users to customize their desktops.
* OS/2 LaunchPad -- Incorporating the principles of a floating tool bar,
"LaunchPad" provides users with single-click access to the applications,
folders, printers or other objects they use most.
* Improved Usability -- A new, graphical tutorial designed for new or
advanced users makes it easier than ever to learn OS/2's capabilities. A
new comet cursor was created for mobile users. It leaves a "comet"
trail, making it easy to track cursor movement, particularly on LCD
screens. More pointer sets allow for cursor enlargement, choice of styles
and color selection. Other significant improvements have been made in
screen response time, command and window processing and application load
time already featured in Beta 1.
* PlayAtWill -- A new PCMCIA software utility, called PlayAtWill*,
provides plug-and-play capabilities today. The utility automatically
identifies the type of PCMCIA cards installed, including communications,
modem, memory, hard disk and I/O cards, and provides a convenient
graphical status on the desktop.
BonusPak Applications
The Person-to-Person capabilities in the BonusPak include whiteboard data
sharing, with multi-user annotation so that up to eight people can share
images, text, graphics and application window contents in real time, using
different protocols.
The new OS/2 version will support Windows ** 3.1, Windows 3.11 and Windows
for Workgroups** 3.x base function on Intel 386 and later machines. Users
interested in participating in the Warp Beta 2 program can either call
800-251-2177 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) for a CD-ROM or diskette version for
$14.95 plus tax. IBM is offering the diskette version for the same price
to encourage beta users to verify the new compression scheme. Users can
also download the beta code from CompuServe's IBM OS/2 FORUM Library (GO
OS/2BETA) and the IBM OS2BBS (OS2PERF2).
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation ** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation