Amiga <-> VisCORP ? Now what?

Well VisCORP should be conferming their purchase of the Amiga any day now
and many of you have been asking what they intend to do with it.

One  thing  for  sure is they do intend to market a set-top box utilizing
the Amiga hardware and OS.  But what is this set top box?  Read on....

           -------- LEACHED FROM THE VisCORP WWW PAGE --------

                    The ED (Electronic Device)

The  ED  is  a  sophisticated  cable  set-top  appliance.  The device is,
essentially,  a  highly  cost-optimized computer that includes graphical,
simple-to-use  interfaces  which  can  be remotely configured from a host
operating  system.   It  is  designed to be placed on top of or next to a
television  set  and connect directly to a standard telephone jack either
through a conventional telephone wire or through wireless Radio Frequency
(RF) connectivity.

It  uses  a consumer's standard TV set as a monitor and presents text and
graphics  using  specially  configured  fonts  so  that it is readable at
normal  viewing  distances  (i.e.,  text  and  graphics  are presented in
proportional  fonts  up  to  60  columns):   each device can also overlay
graphics  and  text  on  the  television  picture  or  bring  up  a solid
background  to  facilitate information viewing.  It comes equipped with a
modem, video and audio circuitry, and a controller.

The  ED  permits consumers to perform a variety of functions and access a
number  of  on-line  interactive  services  which VIScorp expects to make
available  in  the  future  including fax capability, E-mail, videogames,
home  shopping and educational programs.  The majority of the interactive
services that it will deliver are either not widely available for home TV
or  available only on high-powered multimedia PCs with modems.  VIScorp's
Internet  and  set-top devices can be sold at less than the price of a PC
-- while providing entirely new functionalities (e.g., advanced telephone
management services) not available on a PC.

The  ED  appliance offers all the functions and features of the UITI, but
includes  a  number  of  unique,  value-added  features  which add to its
potential appeal to average TV viewers.  These include:



A  built-in magnetic card stripe reader so that credit or debit cards may
be  swiped  to  confirm  transactions.  To enhance performance, the debit
card may be filled with electronic funds drawn on the users bank.

A  built-in  interactive  on-screen  program  guide  with  one week of TV
programming  mapped  to the local area or cable operator; the device also
provides  for parental control that enables the screening-out of unwanted
programming.


The ability to enable the viewer TV set to function as an executive-style
speaker  telephone  with one-touch on-screen dialing so that calls may be
placed  from  the  living room couch with a remote control.  In locations
where caller ID is available, the ED can scan the incoming call and check
the  number  against  a  database.   If  it recognizes the number, the ED
scrolls  the  name  of  the incoming caller across the TV picture and the
viewer  may  answer  the  call  and speak to the person with a press of a
button on the remote control.

         -------- END OF LEACH FROM THE VisCORP WWW PAGE --------

There  is  also  talk  of a new range of Amiga's from VisCORP and PIOS is
still planning on an Power Amiga.  Phase 5 hope to release Powercards for
existing Amiga's.

I hope to bring you more on this by next issue so watch that dial?

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