Newsbytes - Internationa…ews 1983 May to 1994 June/Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News 1994 Edition - May 1983 - June 1994 - Wayzata Technologies (5045) (1994).iso/mac/Text/Mac Text/1993/nb930209

Text File | 1993-02-09 | 69KB | 1,490 lines

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00001)

Lotus 1-2-3, Freelance For OS/2 2.0 Under The Microscope 02/09/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Following
yesterday's report on Lotus's announcement of versions of its 1-2-3
spreadsheet and Freelance Graphics software for OS/2 Release 2.0,
Newsbytes  has more detailed information on the packages.

According to Lotus, both applications take advantage of OS/2 2.0's 32-
bit architecture, and both are available immediately.

Newsbytes notes that, with the announcement, Lotus begins delivering,
although belatedly, on a commitment it made last April to bring out
OS/2 2.0 versions of five of its packages within a year.

Last April's announcement had said that OS/2 2.0 versions of 1-2-3,
Freelance Graphics, and the company's cc:Mail electronic mail software
would be available in the summer of 1992, and releases of its Ami Pro
word processor and Notes work-group software would follow within a
year.

Lotus is now saying OS/2 2.0 releases of Ami Pro and cc:Mail will
be out by the end of 1993. Spokesman Peter Cohen said he had no
information about plans for an OS/2 2.0 release of Notes, though
a 16-bit version exists.

Cohen said that Lotus sees growing demand for OS/2 applications, not
only in the corporate market where OS/2 first got attention but
increasingly in small and mid-sized businesses as well.

Both new packages exploit OS/2's Workplace Shell graphical environment
and 32-bit technology. Thanks to OS/2's multi-threading
capability, for example, the user can keep working while Print or
Solver operations take place on different threads.

While either product can be bought and used separately, Lotus claims
integration between them provides significant benefits and saves disk
and memory space thanks to shared code modules such as charting. Lotus
cited a similar look and feel and automatic "hot links" so that
updates in a 1-2-3 worksheet are reflected in a Freelance
presentation.

1-2-3 for OS/2 2.0 uses the context-sensitive SmartIcons found in
other versions of 1-2-3 for graphical user interfaces such as
Microsoft Windows and the Apple Macintosh. 1-2-3 for OS/2 also has
customizable menu and dialog boxes for building spreadsheet
applications. Other features include the ability to adjust worksheets
automatically to fit a page when printing, the ability to select
"collections" of discontiguous cell ranges, and an interface to the C
programming language.

The new release supports true three-dimensional worksheets, and
comes with the Solver and BackSolver features for optimization
analysis and Lotus' Datalens technology for access to third-party
database-management software. The Draw Layer allows the user to
cut, paste, and position bit-maps and graphs directly on to the
spreadsheet.

Lotus said the new release of Freelance Graphics has extensive
visual guides, including a Smart Start tutorial and more than 40
presentation templates called SmartMasters. These provide nine
ready-made page layouts in which users fill in the blanks in
response to on-screen prompts to build presentations.

Users can now edit text, optimize placement and sizing of
graphics and text, and select colors and typefaces directly on
the page. Enhanced charting capabilities include a
chart gallery with more than 70 ready-made chart styles, an
updated library of more than 500 clip art images, global editing
capabilities, direct file linking, automatic chart composition,
support for Microsoft's Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), and 13 Adobe
Type 1 fonts.

Both packages require a computer with a 386 or higher processor,
with at least 4 megabytes (MB) of memory (8MB is recommended), running
OS/2 2.0 and the IBM OS/2 Service Pack or higher. Freelance Graphics
for OS/2 2.0 requires a VGA or better display.

As reported yesterday, the suggested retail price for 1-2-3 for OS/2
2.0 is $495, the server edition is $595, and a license pack (without
disk and documentation) is available for $395. Newsbytes can report
that an upgrade is also available to all licensed 1-2-3 users for a
suggested retail price of $150.

The suggested retail price for Freelance Graphics, meanwhile, is
confirmed as $495, with the server edition $595, and a license pack is
$395. Licensed Freelance Graphics users can upgrade for $150.

Lotus has also announced that a fully translated French and German
versions of both packages, plus a Spanish version of 1-2-3 and an
Italian version of Freelance Graphics, will ship later this quarter.
Dutch, Italian, and Swedish versions of 1-2-3 are also planned.

(Grant Buckler/19930209/Press Contact: Peter A. Cohen, Lotus,
617-693-1283)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)

Sun Comes In Through Windows 02/09/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Microsoft and
SunSelect have announced that they will support interoperability
between SunSelect's PC Network File System (PC-NFS) for PC-to-Unix
integration and the Microsoft Windows family.

The support means that users of any Windows family product,
including Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT will be able to
access Unix networks and open systems resources using PC-NFS.

Carl Ledbetter, Sun Microsystems VP, said that SunSelect's mission is
to provide personal computer users access to a wide range of company-
wide computing resources, regardless of platform or operating
environment. "This new relationship is another step toward broadening
the platform options we offer our customers," he said.

SunSelect says that it will ship Windows for Workgroups drivers in its
coming release of PC-NFS, and Microsoft will add PC-NFS to the
growing list of networks that will be supported in its next release of
Windows for Workgroups.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Newsbytes that the next release of
Windows for Workgroups is expected this summer. A SunSelect
spokesperson said the next release of PC-NFS would be announced in the
near future. Both companies say they will provide product support for
customers who need help integrating the two networking environments.

The SunSelect spokesperson, meanwhile, said that the deal would be
important to customers: "Windows NT is going to be a prominent
operating system that everyone wants to be prepared for," she told
Newsbytes. "Our mission is to integrate PCs with open client
service computing, whether that be Unix or non-Unix," she added.

SunSelect reports that it has received a number of inquiries about PC-
NFS after the company demonstrated the product at Comdex, the annual
industry trade show in Las Vegas. SunSelect is a business unit of Unix
networking vendor Sun Microsystems.

SunSelect officials said that the company will release a new product
that allows personal computer users running Windows NT to access
networks using the PC-NFS multivendor networking platform. That's
scheduled for release in the third quarter, with an early version
going to developers in the second quarter.

(Jim Mallory/19930209/Press contact: Bev Auld, Microsoft
Corporation,206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft, 206-882-8080;
Beth Byer, SunSelect, 508-442-0271)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

Wordperfect, Folio In "Personal Electronic Publishing" 02/09/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Wordperfect and Folio have
announced the signing of a letter of intent agreeing to a joint
development and marketing relationship between the two companies. The
agreement calls for establishment of Folio's VIEWS as the de
facto standard format for personal electronic publishing.

Under the agreement, the two companies will develop a Wordperfect
personal electronic publishing product based on Folio VIEWS 3.0
technology. Wordperfect will market the product through its
distribution channel. Both companies will conduct joint activities to
promote the product.

"It's important that we expand our product line to include tools that
will allow our users to produce and consume information
electronically," explained WP's Dave Moon, senior VP of development.

Wordperfect notes that the package will be available for DOS, Windows,
and Macintosh platforms. Users will be able to create Folio-compatible
databases directly from their Wordperfect files. Those databases are
fully indexed and searchable, and can be any size up to 16 terabytes
(a terabyte is 1,000 gigabytes). The files can be shared on a network,
and users will be able to distribute information in run-time form for
non-commercial use without license fees.

Folio electronic publishing software offers data compression,
multi-user access and editing, personalization through multimedia
objects, hypertext links, searchable electronic pop-up notes,
highlighter pens, and free-form fields.

Folio is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mead Data Central. Wordperfect
publishes the popular word processing program Wordperfect. Novell
uses Folio for its Netware online help files.

(Jim Mallory/19930209/Press contact: Laura Fankhauser, Wordperfect
Corporation, 801-228-5051,Mike Judson, Folio Corporation,
801-344-3671; Reader contact: Wordperfect Corp, 800-451-51521;


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00004)

OSF Selects Lotus Widgets 02/09/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- The Open Software
Foundation (OSF) will use new "widget" technology from Lotus
Development, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), and IBM in the
developers' tool kit for its Motif graphical user interface for Unix.

The OSF uses the term "widgets" to refer to software tools meant to
help applications developers create screen graphics and provide data
and function manipulation. The new widgets will offer features like
those found in popular graphical user interfaces on PCs. All the
selected widgets are consistent with the style of Microsoft Windows
and IBM's Common User Access (CUA), OSF officials said.

OSF selected its new text widget from Digital. A key feature of
the text widget is the ability to edit text from right to left,
as is standard in Arabic, Hebrew, and other Middle Eastern
languages. The new text widget also supports multiple fonts and
colors.

IBM provided PC-style container and notebook widgets. The
container widget is somewhat like folders on the Apple Macintosh,
allowing objects to nest within other objects, explained Cathy
Betz, business area manager for Motif at the OSF.

Betz went on to explain that the widget is designed for use in
applications. Developers of desktop managers can use it to provide
folder-like functions, she said, or it may be used to organize objects
in a variety of other applications.

Emulating a physical paper notebook, the notebook widget displays a
series of "pages" on the screen, with optional tabs and indexing. A
notebook can be used in any number of applications, such as providing
the base for a card filer application or help utility.

Lotus Development provided a combination box widget, which lets users
select from a drop-down menu or type in a selection. This is like a
feature used in Microsoft Windows, Betz said, in which the user points
to a box containing the currently selected option and a menu of
alternatives "drops down" from the box.

The widget selection process began in July, 1992, when the OSF
issued a Request for Widget Technology. The organization plans to
ship the new widgets as part of the next major release of Motif.

Besides adding new functions, Betz said, the new widgets provide
greater consistency with Microsoft Windows and IBM's style.

(Grant Buckler/19930209/Press Contact: Diane Rezendes, Open
Software Foundation, 617-621-8772)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00005)

Business Group Against Bell Canada Rate Hike 02/09/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Bell Canada has no
business asking for a hefty rate increase on the strength of a
projected revenue drop, and the telephone company's government-set
allowable rate of return is probably too high anyway, according to the
Canadian Business Telecommunications Alliance (CBTA), a group of major
telecommunications users.

As reported by Newsbytes, Bell has asked for an interim rate increase
on April 1, to be followed by further hikes in the fall. The company
also wants to introduce a "Community Calling Plan" to extend the local
calling areas surrounding the three major cities in its territory --
Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa -- with sizeable increases in local
rates at the same time. The Bell proposal would boost local rates by
close to two thirds by year-end in some areas.

George Horhota, past-president and a director of the CBTA, told
Newsbytes that his organization believes Bell's timing in asking for a
rate increase is wrong.

The telephone company has said its projections show its revenues
falling below the rate of return allowed by federal regulators in
1993 and 1994. Horhota said it is premature to ask for a rate
hike based on projections.

"We don't see a need for a pre-emptive price strike until there is a
significant change in revenue to bear out this forecast," he said.

At any rate, Horhota said, the rate of return Bell is allowed -- 12.25
to 13.25 percent -- is too high. He added that the Canadian Radio-
television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which regulates
Bell Canada, should take Bell's application as an opportunity to
reconsider the rate of return it allows the company, and possibly the
whole notion of regulating prices through fixing the utility's rate of
return.

"The only good part of this," Horhota said, "is it may be a catalyst
for reviewing the whole notion of rate of return."

Horhota added that he would not be surprised if the CRTC did deny or
scale back Bell's requested rate increase. Last year, when the
regulator opened up the long-distance market to competition, its
decision said such competition should not have to result in higher
prices for local telephone service.

While Bell has carefully avoided naming competition from the new long-
distance carriers as a reason for its rate increase, Horhota said, the
CRTC will be reluctant to grant a rate increase at this time.

Reacting to Bell's Community Calling Plan proposal, Horhota echoed the
comments of Michael Janigan, general counsel of the Public Interest
Advocacy Centre in Ottawa, saying local calling to a wider area should
be offered as an option rather than imposed on all subscribers in
those areas. Bell proposes significant rate hikes in the cities
affected.

In response to Janigan's suggestion, Bell spokeswoman Linda Gervais
said earlier that offering the wider calling areas as an option would
make the option too expensive to be attractive to subscribers.

(Grant Buckler/19930209/Press Contact: George Horhota, CBTA,
416-348-3685)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00006)

Canadian Tax Prep Package On PC Ships 02/09/93
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Cantax is now shipping
the 1992 tax year version of its Canadian income tax preparation
software, Cantax T1. New features this year include mouse support and
online help.

The online help includes tax preparation tips gathered by the
company's tax specialists and information from Revenue Canada's
tax guides, Cantax officials said. Help with using the program itself
is also included, and the help is context-sensitive.

Another new feature is the "expand" option, which lets the user
select any data field calculated by the software and display the
form where the calculation was made.

This year's release also adds a DOS shell feature so users can
enter DOS commands without shutting down the tax preparation
software. A new "Go To" feature lets users move to a form by
selecting it from a list. A search by typing feature will respond
as the user types in the name of a form or file by jumping to the
first name that matches the letters typed.

The new release also adds a function-key template for the
computer keyboard, on-screen clock and calendar, and
compatibility with more laser printers.

Cantax said the output from its package is approved for
submission of computer-printed tax forms to Revenue Canada.

The software needs a personal computer with 512K bytes of memory,
a hard disk, and DOS Version 2.0 or later. The suggested retail price
is C$69.95.

(Grant Buckler/19930209/Press Contact: Stephen Biswanger, Cantax,
403-255-8444, fax [phone]; Public Contact: Cantax,
800-265-3800)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00007)

 ****Prototype Laser-Driven LCD Breakthrough 02/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Tomiki Ikeda, an assistant
professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology, claims to have made a
breakthrough in the design of liquid crystal display (LCD) technology.
If Ikeda is correct, then his new technology will be capable of
producing larger and cheaper LCDs that can be manufactured at present.

Ikeda has applied the relatively new technology of photochemical
switching of polarization in ferroelectric liquid-crystal
films to LCD screens.

Put simply, Ikeda's technology allows the molecules that make up
an LCD screen to react to electrical current much faster, thanks to
the use of a laser. This translates into a faster screen update.
Slow screen updates have always posed a problem for portable computer
manufacturers. To date, the best solution has been to split large
screens up, with each segment a separate screen.

Ikeda's ideas are outlined in the Feb 4 issue of Nature, in which he
writes: "Liquid crystals have been used extensively as active media in
display devices such as full-color television screens. These devices
are generally based on changes in the arrangement of the liquid
crystal molecules induced by electric fields, which change their
optical properties. Ferroelectric liquid crystals exhibit spontaneous
polarization and therefore show a faster response to changes in the
applied field."

"The polarization switching in ferroelectric liquid crystals driven by
a photochemical process is fast, reversible and repeatable, and should
be exploitable in device applications," he adds.

Current LCD technology uses electrodes or transistors to control the
screen. The bad news about this technology is that, the larger a
screen gets, the more transistors need to be used. The end result is
an electrically top-heavy screen.

Using Ikeda's system, a laser is used on the screen instead of an
electrical current, meaning that the screen updates faster and without
the need for millions of transistors.

Ikeda told Newsbytes that his technology is different from conventional
LCD screen systems. He reports that a number of Japanese companies
have expressed an interest in the system, although no one is talking
product introduction dates or schedules just yet.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930209/Press Contact: Assistant
Professor Tomiki Ikeda, c/o Tokyo Technical Institute of Technology,
[phone], Fax, [phone])


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEL)(00008)

Indo-Russian Satellite Project Underway 02/09/92
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Indian and Russian scientists
have proposed the launch of a satellite to carry out an in-depth
study of the structure of the earth. Scientists hope to use
geomagnetic studies to analyze the minerals that make up the crust of
the earth, according to United News of India.

The task of turning the paper project into a real working satellite is
not to be underestimated. Approvals for the project are currently
being sought with both governments. If approved, industry watchers
note that the project will assist in the exploration of the world's
natural resources.

Mr B.N. Singh, the director of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism,
said that both Russian and Indian scientists have discussed the
possibility of installing an ionosonde, a device for measuring
earthquakes, in the Himalayan mountain region, so that research can
progress.

One interesting side-effect of the satellite research will be that the
effects of electromagnetic radiation on the human body can be
studied. The satellite will allow scientists to calibrate and
measure electrical storms above the earth, so giving a
leg-up to research on magnetic fields here on the earth.

(C.T. Mahabharat/19930209)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00009)

Japan - Multimedia Market Set To Explode 02/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Mirroring recent information mailed
out to subscribers in the West, Dataquest's Tokyo offices have
released a report on the state of the multimedia computer marketplace
and it concludes that multimedia computer technology is going to
be worth a fortune in years to come.

Dataquest Japan notes that, by 1996, the worldwide multimedia
marketplace is likely to be worth around $US9 billion. This
equates to a growth rate of 31.6 percent a year for the next
three years.

During 1992, sales of multimedia PCs were $1.6 billion, which
Dataquest predicts will rise to $3.9 billion in 1994 and $5.65 billion
in 1996. By 1996, Dataquest's report adds, multimedia PCs will be the
norm in the PC marketplace.

The semiconductor market, which is currently going through something
of a slump in the West, is expected to recover, with sales projected
to grow four-fold over the next three years. The reason for the
expected sales boom is simple -- the chips are used in a variety of
multimedia applications, including compact disc read-only memory (CD-
ROM) drives, multimedia players, and multimedia PCs.

The Dataquest report is a 200-page A4-sized publication and covers
market research on the semiconductor marketplace, as well as system
devices and software sales. The price is a fairly hefty 500,000 yen
(around $4,000).

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930208/Press Contact: Dataquest
Japan, [phone], Fax, [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00010)

Hewlett-Packard Canada Gets New President 02/09/93
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Dan Branda will
take over as president and chief executive of Hewlett-Packard
(Canada) Limited on March 1, replacing George Cobbe, who has been
named director of American operations for the company.

Cobbe, president and chief executive of HP Canada since 1988 and
chairman of the subsidiary since October, 1991, will take
responsibility for HP operations in Canada, the United States,
and Latin America. He will remain chairman of HP Canada.

Branda, currently general manager of HP's Western Region in the
United States, will report to Cobbe in his new position, a
company spokesman told Newsbytes. He has worked for HP since 1972, and
has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computer science
from the University of Illinois.

Hewlett-Packard Canada had revenues of C$639 million in its 1992
fiscal year, and employs 1,370 people in 27 locations across
Canada. The Canadian subsidiary of the Palo Alto, California-based
computer maker manufactures hardware in three Canadian locations as
well as selling and servicing HP products.

(Grant Buckler/19930209/Press Contact: Jeremy Beaty,
Hewlett-Packard Canada, 416-678-3263; Linda Johnson,
Hewlett-Packard Canada, 416-678-3246)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)

Novell Licenses LANalyzer Technology 02/09/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Novell has licensed
its LANalyzer technology to Network Communications Corporation (NCC).

The licensing agreement covers the exclusive rights to develop and
market any hardware-based LANalyzer network analyzers. NCC gets the
rights to the LANalyzer trademark for the next two years as well as
the database of existing customers and all existing engineering
documentation from Novell. Novell and NCC have been partners in the
development of LANalyzer over the last year and a half with a
technology sharing agreement having been inked between them in
September of 1991.

Not covered under this agreement is Novell's LANalyzer for Windows
package which will be kept by Novell and which Novell will continue to
develop and support.

Novell officers told Newsbytes that there are several reasons
behind this agreement. First, Novell has been easing itself out
of hardware production for some time now this move is a part of
that strategy. Second, the company has only a finite set of
resources, which are fully stretched in developing its own
technology without compensating for each little change by the
third party companies.

Novell believes that only NCC can properly exploit the
technology and the marketplace in line with Novell's goals --
hence the agreement.

Novell has chosen to keep LANalyzer for Windows since it is a
software-only product that has wider applicability to both its
strategic direction as well as to a wider market than the
hardware LANalyzers.

Novell believes it is highly unlikely that a typical network
administrator would be able to take advantage of all of the
capabilities and the flexibility built into a high-end
product like the hardware LANalyzers. However, they should have
little trouble using a lower end product like LANalyzer for
Windows. Since these people are also Novell's target market in
other respects, keeping LANalyzer for Windows made sense. Novell
defines a "typical" network administrator as a person having
responsibility for a network of between 5 and 25 nodes.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Newsbytes has
learned, however, that this agreement included a one-time payment of a
licensing fee by NCC to Novell.

(Naor Wallach/19930209/Press Contact: Steve Genova, Novell, 408-473-
-8381, John Richards, NCC, 612-844-0886 Extension 410/Public
Contact: Novell, 801-429-7000, 801-453-1267)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

Cellular Scares Fading, But Not Forgotten 02/09/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Consumers remain
skittish about cellular phones despite a high-profile campaign by
the industry to reassure them. In a survey by Crain's Chicago
Business magazine, nearly half of those polled said they wanted
to know more about the phones before buying one. This is in a group
where nearly half of households already have at least one of the
units.

The industry has at times seemed at a loss what to do. Some
companies sent letters to worried consumers, others quietly cancelled
their contracts when pressed. Motorola held a conference call on the
question, trying to end the controversy, then found itself subject to
a class-action lawsuit claiming all cellular phones cause cancer.

Newsbytes first reported the case of David Reynard, whose wife
died of brain cancer, he said, after extensive use of an NEC
cellular phone, on January 4. Public excitement rose when Reynard
appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live." Later, it was learned
that Reginald Lewis of TLC Beatrice had recently died of brain
cancer.

Repeated attempts by cellular operators, cellular phone makers, and
the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association to end the scare
seem to have limited effect. Tabloid news shows like "Street Stories"
and countless local stations repeated the charges, giving them further
credence. When the CTIA offered to fund its own studies on the issue,
and have a "blue-ribbon" government panel verify their accuracy,
critics said it was backing off an earlier assertion that "thousands
of studies" proved the charges were nonsense.

At issue among scientists are hand-held devices with antennas
inside them. Higher powered phones, either carried in cases or
installed in cars, are not a concern, since their antennas are at
some distance from the head. But as Newsbytes Washington editor
John McCormick noted in a recent editorial, "Field strength is
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the
point of generation and the point where the field strength is
being measured." In other words, the distance between your brain
and the antenna may be vitally important.

Newsbytes has discussed all this with Mike Houghton, new director of
public affairs for the CTIA. He cited in particular the studies of Dr.
Kristian Storm with the University of Wisconsin cancer center. Dr.
Storm treated over 1,000 advanced cancer patients with 500-1,000 watts
of penetrating electromagnetic energy for one hour per day, five days
per week, monthly, for up to one year, in order to kill cancer. He
wrote a congressional committee, saying "we found no acceleration in
the growth of any existing human tumor or the development of new
tumors.

"The point is the scientific and medical community is in agreement
that it's not harmful, and it does not cause cancer," said Houghton.
"Even the FDA said there is no proven link." Still, the industry is in
the position of trying to prove a negative, and may be considered
guilty even if proven innocent. Thus, Houghton said, some cellular
phone makers are considering making units with antennas that extend
outward, like the antennas on cordless phones. That would eliminate
the perceived problem, but opponents might call it an admission of
guilt.

"The industry has taken the position that we believe all studies
have proven that cellular telephones are not harmful," he added.
"However, what we've said is we're willing to fund research that
re-validates that research and make sure all avenues are covered.
Because industry research would be suspect, we've asked that a
blue-ribbon government panel be established to review the
methodology of all these studies, and make sure the conclusions
are valid."

Meanwhile, both sides are sure to get their day in court. The
Reynard suit is proceeding in state court, and a Chicago class-
action suit on behalf of all cellular phone owners will also be
fought by Motorola and Mitsubishi.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930209/Press Contact: Mike Houghton, CTIA,
202-785-0081)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

UPS Signs Master Cellular Data Contract 02/09/93
KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- McCaw Cellular
Communications has turned on its largest cellular data contract to
date with United Parcel Service (UPS). The agreement, which was
signed last year, creates a custom network of 50 cellular carriers.

UPS is using the network to connect delivery data collected by
its couriers to a central computer and operators in Mahwah, New
Jersey. The system duplicates a network Federal Express created
in the 1980s using specialized mobile radio frequencies.

With the new network, UPS said, it will have immediate tracking on
more than 95 percent of its deliveries, with the other 5 percent
coming in as smaller cellular carriers are enlisted in the program.
While most cellular data customers pay for their calls by the minute,
the UPS system has the capability of billing by 6-second increments,
greatly reducing the communication costs.

UPS, based in Atlanta, has been playing catch-up with FedEx'
computer systems for some time, and the cellular system is its
latest effort to not just equal, but exceed the FedEx system,
which uses handheld terminals and data radios in both courier
vans and strapped to the belt of delivery people.

UPS couriers are now carrying larger terminals, called DIADs, which
can accept signatures from consumers that are then offered as proof of
delivery. UPS has estimated the cost of its total system at $150
million.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930209/Press Contact: McCaw, Bob Ratliffe,
206/828-8685)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00014)

 ****More On General Magic Announcement 02/09/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- The
announcement by Apple Computer's General Magic spin-off of a
graphic scripting language called Telescript and intelligent
interface called Magic Cap has excited some analysts. But two
names are conspicuously absent from the list of companies
supporting the technologies -- Microsoft and IBM.

Microsoft, despite its success elsewhere, remains weak in the area of
communications, and plans to rectify that with enhancements to its
Windows for Pens operating system. IBM, which makes the ThinkPad
laptop, may have bigger things like survival to worry about. But the
lack of an endorsement from these major players makes the General
Magic technologies look like less than a standard. After all, while
Apple does have significant PC market share, it's IBM compatibility,
more precisely the ability to run MS-DOS and MS-Windows, which defines
the mass market.

Still, the amount of support, within product, for the two
technologies could prove impressive. Apple said it will add them
to its PowerBook notebooks, its Newton personal digital
assistants, and its Apple Online services. Andy Hertzfeld and
Bill Atkinson, two of the founders of General Magic, were also
part of the original Macintosh design team. Telescript, they
said, embeds intelligence in electronic mail systems and computer
applications, enabling them to cooperate with one another and
with the networks that interconnect them.

AT&T will build a communications network supporting Telescript
through its EasyLink Services unit. Its personal communicators
will also support the technology. Sony, Motorola and Philips are
developing personal communicators that incorporate Telescript and
General Magic's operating system, called Magic Cap. Motorola
said its version will be out later this year.

All the products are aimed at a market presently unserved by PCs,
people whose idea of personal technology is a car, a television
set and a telephone, people who usually work in the field outside
the office.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930209/Press Contact: Frank O'Mahony, Apple,
408-974-5420)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

 ***Crucial Time Ahead For HDTV 02/09/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Technical experts are
meeting in Washington this week to discuss high definition TV (HDTV),
amid signs that none of the contestants in the race to create a
standard for the industry is good enough.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to announce an HDTV
standard around mid-year so it can be incorporated into sets and
broadcast signals within the next few years. But each of the
contending technologies has a problem, such as uneven picture quality
or the tendency to interfere with other broadcasts. As a result, the
National Association of Broadcasters is urging further studies of HDTV
before a decision is made.

But the world may not wait. Digital compression algorithms
offered by General Instrument have already found support from
TeleCommunications Inc., the largest cable TV operator, which
will use them to expand channel-handling capacity 10-fold on its
systems. Hewlett-Packard announced support for a scheme from AT&T
and Zenith, saying it will support the design with hardware.

And Texas Instruments has announced its support for the offering of
NBC and the David Sarnoff Labs, noting that it is based on the Motion
Picture Experts Group, or MPEG, standard used by computers. A European
standard from Philips of Holland and Thomson of France is considered
less likely to win, and a fifth, analog entry from NHK of Japan is
given almost no chance.

The risk is that the market will begin supporting multiple
standards before the FCC acts, if broadcasters wait until
perfection is achieved before supporting a standardization move.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930209)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00016)

 ****Will Steve Jobs Abandon Next Computer Line Next Tuesday? 02/09/93
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Next Computer is
reported to be about to abandon its efforts to market its workstations
and concentrate on software, according to an article in the San
Francisco Chronicle published today.

The Chronicle article says that the company is negotiating to sell its
hardware business to Canon Inc. Canon owns 17.9 percent of Next, has
reportedly invested $165 million in Next, and sells the machines in
Japan.

Next was founded in 1985 by Apple Computer co-founder Steve
Jobs. The company's futuristic black cube-shaped workstations
were introduced in late 1988. They are not compatible with other
computers or workstations from companies such as Apple, IBM and
Sun Microsystems. Initial models were perceived by many as
overpriced and underpowered. More powerful, less expensive
machines were introduced later but never attained the widespread
acceptance by the business community Jobs had hoped.

In January of 1992 Jobs said Next would have to be significantly
better to get an advantage over entrenched systems like Sun, and
apparently that never happened. Next reportedly shipped over 63,000
workstations last year, and sales reached $140 million. According to
figures compiled by market research firm International Data
Corporation. That compares with about 217,000 Sun Microsystems
workstations shipped last year.

Last month the company reported its first quarterly operating
profit.

In addition to Canon, other investors include former presidential
candidate Ross Perot, who is believed to have put about $20
million into Next and holds 11 percent of the company. Jobs
announced support for Perot's presidential bid in June 1992.

Jobs reportedly invested $200 million and owns 46 percent of the
firm. Part of Canon's investment was a $55 million line of credit
extended to Next in June 1992. The company had said it planned an
initial public offering in 1993, but now analysts say the IPO could
be as much as 18 months away, based on the latest developments. The
company is reportedly trying to negotiate an arrangement with
Hewlett-Packard to modify its NextStep graphical user interface (GUI)
to work with HP's workstations.

NextStep, the software built into the machines, has been better
received than the workstation itself. Developers of applications
such as word processing programs can produce them in less time
using NextStep than can developers on other systems. The company
has been working on IBM-compatible software, and is expected to ship
NextStep 486 later this year. However that's about one year after
Jobs initially said the program would be ready.

The Chronicle article reports that about 300 of Next's 540 employees
will lose their jobs. Spokespersons for Next, Canon, and Perot were
either unavailable or would not comment on the story. The paper said
Jobs would announce the move next Tuesday.

(Jim Mallory/19930209/Press contact: Allison Thomas Associates for
Next Computer Inc, 818-981-1520)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00017)

CrossComm Integrating Big Blue's Net Tech 02/09/93
MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- CrossComm has
licensed IBM's Advanced Peer to Peer Network software (APPN) and will
attempt to combine it with its own Protocol Independent Routing
(PIR) software. The idea of the integration is to create a superior
networking product, capable of routing IBM System Network Architecture
(SNA) packets across networks.

The new product will be used with the company's ILAN routers and made
available to other vendors. Crosscomm is confident that, by combining
the best parts of APPN and PIR, it will be able to produce a
product that will exceed the performance of either of those two
technologies independently. This licensing agreement covers the
technology transfer, intellectual property rights, and support of
IBM's APPN technology.

Crosscomm did not disclose the terms of the licensing agreement nor
was any information released concerning when a product would become
available that would marry the two technologies. Newsbytes' sources,
however, suggest that a product shipment is expected before the end of
the year.

(Naor Wallach/19930209/Press Contact: Christine LeCompte, Beaupre &
Co. for CrossComm, 603-436-6690/Public Contact: Crosscomm, 800-388-
1200, 508-481-4060)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

International Telecom Update 02/09/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- North American companies
may be losing out in the race to control international cellular
networks.

MTC Electronics is defending statements that it will participate
in the Chinese market. Chinese officials told Forbes magazine
foreigners will not be allowed to own cellular systems in the
country, but MTC insists it will be able to act as a joint-venture
partner there.

Meanwhile, European companies are working hard to fill the gap.
Siemens now has a joint venture to create digital switches
throughout eastern Europe, having crafted an agreement with
Bulgaria last month. French President Francois Mitterrand is in
Vietnam, trying to solidify trade links with the government there
while a ban on US exports remains in effect.

France normalized its relations with the Hanoi government in 1989,
after Vietnam's troops withdrew from neighboring Cambodia. Ericsson of
Sweden won a $70 million contract from Kansai Digital Phone Company in
Japan to expand its Osaka cellular network. The Swedish company also
has contracts with Tokyo Digital Phone and Central Japan Digital Phone
in Nagoya.

The best way into these markets seems to be through the purchase
of an equity stake in domestic suppliers. Northern Telecom, which
bought 20 percent of France's Matra Communication last July, now
has a joint venture to sell GSM digital cellular phone systems.
AT&T of the US owns 70 percent of AT&T Praha in the Czech
Republic, a joint venture with Tesla Praha. The US company has
contracts for international lines with Czech Telecom, and for
delivery of fiber cable systems.

Other deals remain on hold. The sale of a controlling interest
in Israel's Bezek phone unit has been put on hold just as a group
led by Southwestern Bell of the US was prepared to make a bid.
National security was cited for the delay, and as trade frictions
between the US and Europe continue to rise that refrain might
be heard more and more around the world.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930209)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00019)

New For Mac - Trend's Safelock Data Security 02/09/93
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Trend Micro
Devices is offering SafeLock for the Macintosh, software that
incorporates password protected data security with virus scanning
and removal capabilities.

SafeLock restricts unauthorized access to all data on an unlimited
number of Macintosh hard drives. Designed for PowerBooks, Portables
and any Macintosh environment, SafeLock automatically prompts users
for a password during boot up. Trend's president, Steve Chang,
says, "SafeLock answers the need for an easy-to-use yet inexpensive
hard disk security product, and provides instant security for any
Macintosh environment."

This new product gives users the choice of implementing a "Lock Now"
feature for instant security or an unattended lock which becomes
active after a manually set or pre-set period of idle time. An
online help menu and simple user interface provide installation
and use. SafeLock optionally prevents floppy disk access and
makes files on the secured drive invisible to intruders.

SafeLock is priced at $49. For more information, call 800/228-5651.

(Computer Currents/19930208)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00020)

Oracle In On DOE Uranium Project 02/09/93
BETHESDA, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 09 (NB) -- Oracle Complex
Systems has announced that it has won a contract to supply Martin
Marietta with a database and associated modules to modernize the
business practices of the Uranium Enrichment arm of the Department
of Energy (DOE).

The Department of Energy has been providing Uranium enrichment
services to electric power companies for many years. Now, under a
recently signed energy bill, that part of the DOE will become a semi-
private firm. DOE officials are interested in making this venture
a showcase of how the government can perform certain functions
and they are therefore investing a considerable amount of money in
modernizing its functions.

As part of that modernization process, Martin Marietta -- the DOE's
operator of the uranium enrichment program -- has let out a contract
for the modernization of the business processes of the new
corporation.

These business processes include such activities as the accounting,
inventory, and hiring practices of the soon-to-be-new corporation.
The DOE is currently using a system that was developed specifically
for it. The older system is considered by many observers to be out
of date and ugly.

Oracle has emerged as the winner from the field of many entrants
which included such companies as Dun & Bradstreet and Computer
Associates. Oracle will provide the basic database engine for this
procurement with its Business Financials modules.

These modules will include that General Ledger, Accounts Receivables,
Accounts Payable, Revenue Accounting, Bill of Materials, Fixed Assets,
Purchasing, and Inventory Management. In addition, Oracle's team on
this procurement included Peoplesoft -- which supplies its own human
resources management package -- and Criterion with its package that
handles equal opportunity employment practices and affirmative action.

Oracle will also supply the necessary consulting services to help the
new corporation design its business processes and train
the users and administrators of the new system in their specialties.

Oracle would not release the size of the bid. Company spokesmen would
only say that this is "a LARGE contract." One of the more
interesting aspects of the procurement is that the government will
be holding a separate bid for the hardware, now that the software has
been chosen. Oracle has already installed the software on the DOE's
existing computers. The complete system calls for the use of a 500
concurrent usage license to help serve the needs of the approximately
4,000 employees in the business part of the new company.

(Naor Wallach/19930209/Press Contact: Susan Lynch, Oracle,
301-657-7809)


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00021)

 ****Dell Intros Pre-Installed Software 02/09/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., (NB) -- After pre-installing operating systems
on its PCs for a couple of years, Dell has finally taken the plunge and
announced Readyware, a plan that preinstalls one or more applications
from a schedule of more than 50 available packages on a customer's PC.

The customize-to-order concept is something that Dell has been using
for several years on the hardware front to great success, but this is
the first time that Dell has signalled its intention to do the same
with software.

Nothing in life comes for free, however, and Dell is no stranger to
this concept. The company is charging customers $15 per PC for
selecting as many DOS or Windows applications they want pre-installed
on their hard disk, as well as the cost of the software itself.

Plans are already in hand to boost the number of Readyware packages
available to Dell customers to more than 100 titles before the end of
the year.

"Both our individual customers and our large corporate accounts have
repeatedly told us that buying a system that is ready-to-run is a huge
benefit to them," explained Joel Kocher, Dell USA's president.

"This service provides customers with one of the key elements they
seek in complete PC solutions, and saves them the time and hassle of
installing software themselves, or the expense of having someone else
do it for them," he said.

Newsbytes notes that the move may cause some problems with Dell's
value added resellers (VARs). In its press statement, Dell explained
that the $15 per PC charge was relatively modest compared to the
charges that computer resellers make for installing software.

Currently, around 15 to 20 percent of Dell's PCs are sold through
resellers. However, because the prices for PCs sold through stores are
the same as those paid on a direct purchase, resellers have been
working to very slim hardware profit margins, relying instead on extra
software and peripherals to make up their profits. Readyware removes
at least part of a VAR's ability to make profits on software.

Dell will continue to integrate operating systems free of charge on
its machines. Existing customers will be encouraged to buy their
software through the Dellware catalog, which features more than 1,200
packages available by mail order.

Initially, the Readyware program applies only to the US, although
plans are in hand to roll the service out internationally.

(Steve Gold/19930209/Press Contact: Dell Computer - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00022)

 ****Dell Slashes PC Pricing By Up To $500 02/09/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- In an unexpected move, Dell Computer
has cut PC pricing by between $50 and $500. At the same time, the
company has shuffled pricing down on its peripherals by as much as
$300. At least 14 PCs are affected by the cuts.

"We have long been an industry leader in delivering value to
customers, and today's pricing move is one example of the actions we
continue to take to enhance that position," said Joel Kocher, Dell
USA's president, who added that, while pricing is important, it is not
the other criteria that customers examine when choosing a PC.

PCs affected the price reductions include four portable PCs, and ten
of the i486-based systems Dell introduced in early December 1. The
cuts are impressive -- the Dell 320SLi 3.6 pound notebook falls in
price by $699, when the 8-megabyte (MB)/120MB hard disk system is
bought.

Analysts have been unable to explain why Dell should cut pricing on
its PCs. Newsbytes notes, however, that Dell is working on a new range
of PCs for possible launch in late March that will include machines
based around Intel's coming Pentium microprocessor. The price cuts
then, would appear logical, to prepare the way for these new machines.

(Steve Gold/19930209/Press Contact: Dell Computer - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BOS)(00023)

Acer's 4Q Revenues Soar 02/09/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Acer America's
annual revenues climbed 50% from 1991 to 1992, to a total of $301
million, and fourth quarter revenues shot up 82%, to $107 million,
according to newly released financial results.

Acer says the company's resounding revenue success to innovative
new PCs, support programs, and industry alliances. During the
fourth quarter, Acer's sales grew almost five times faster
than those of the overall PC market, which showed a gain of
only 10%, emphasized Ronald Chwang, president and CEO.

"We are pleased with our strong performance during a period of
rapid change and consolidation in the industry, and we are
continuing to increase our market share through investment in our
channel and support services," commented Chwang.

Also in the announcement, Acer cited several new PC products, all
released in 1992, as spurring the demand that led to the company's
particularly robust fourth quarter.

The products included the AcerPAC multimedia PC, the AcerAnyWare
V386SL notebook, the Acer ACROS and AcerPower desktop PCs, the
AcerFrame EISA servers, the Altos System 15000 EISA-based Unix
system, Altos NetWare for SCO Unix, and Apex for Windows 3.1.

Officials also made note of Acer's ISO 9000 certification in 1992,
a decision to join the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy
Star Program, and new service and technical support offerings,
including the Key Account Program for corporate customers and the
Advanced System Support Program for AcerFrame and Altos.

The AcerPAC multimedia PC brings together CD-ROM, telephony, fax,
and stereo systems capabilities with a standard PC architecture,
according to the officials.

The AcerAnywhere notebook is the first notebook to implement both
PCMCIA and ExCA industry standards, the company stated. The Acer
ACROS and AcerPower 486e lines provide single-chip CPU upgrade
options, as well as video support for Windows applications.

The AcerFrame 3000 and AcerFrame 1000 EISA servers are designed for
such environments as NetWare, Banyan VINES and OS/2, the officials
said. The Altos System 15000 EISA-based Unix system incorporates
symmetric multiprocessing. Altos NetWare and Apex are aimed at
bridging the Unix and NetWare environments.

Acer's new service and technical support strategy provides one year
of free, on-site service and on-line technical support, as well as
a bulletin board, fax back service, and, for notebook systems, 24-
hour replacement.

The Key Account Program, also part of these offerings, is aimed at
assisting corporate customers in such areas as logistics, training,
system maintenance and account management, according to Acer's
financial report.

The company's new Advanced System Support Program provides a range
of telephone technical support options in addition to on-site
service. Customers are allowed to select the level of priority
they wish to give each service request, the officials said.

(Jacqueline Emigh/19930209/Press contacts: Rebecca Hurst or
Michell Fitts, Acer, tel [phone]; Lerry Wilson or Caroline
Hughes, Wilson McHenry Company for Acer, tel [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)

Wyse Offers New PCs With Standard 2.88MB Floppy 02/09/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Wyse has announced a
new range of Intel 486-based PCs known as the Decision line. The
company says the new line is scalable so users can upgrade and add
components, including central processing unit (CPU) upgrades.

Based on the faster 32-bit Extended Industry Standard Architecture
(EISA), the company says the Decision line is aimed at the computer-
aided design, multimedia, scientific analysis, and desktop publishing
markets.

Prices begin at $1,829 and all models come standard with 4 megabytes
(MB) of random access memory (RAM), 256 kilobytes (K) cache, a choice
of the new 2.88 MB 3.5-inch or 1.2 MB 5.25-inch floppy drive, five
half-height storage shelves, seven EISA expansion slots, including two
available for local bus devices, the local bus video subsystem for
graphics performance called Hyper16 Video, and DOS 5.0.

A zero insertion force (ZIF) socket holds the CPU so users can
perform CPU upgrades themselves by simply lifting a lever,
removing the old CPU, inserting the new CPU, and lowering the
lever. Wyse says that the motherboard can accommodate from 16 to 33
megahertz (MHz) i486SX and i486DX processors, as well as a 50 MHz
i486DX2, a 66 MHz i486DX2, and other Intel Overdrive upgrade
processors.

Additional components may be added as needed and the company
says systems configured for Microsoft's Windows for Workgroups
will be available later this month.

The four basic Decision models are priced at $1,829 for the
486se-25SX, $2,029 for the Decision 486se-33SX, $2,779 for the
486se-50DX2, and $2,979 for the Decision 486se-66DX2. Wyse
sells through distributors, value-added resellers (VARs), and
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the United States,
Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Europe.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930209/Press Contact: Jeannie Low, Wyse, tel
408-473-2013, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025)

AST Cuts Notebook Prices, Adds Features 02/09/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- AST says it is
cutting prices on its Powerexec El notebook computers and
adding new features such as passive color matrix displays and
removable hard disk drives.

The Powerexec El comes in four models, each with the Intel
386SL 25 megahertz (MHz) microprocessor, a credit-card sized
PCMCIA Type II slot, a 3.5-inch disk drive, and DOS 5.0. The
PCMCIA slot allows for the use of PCMCIA modems and local area
network (LAN) adapters at additional cost. Also included is the
company's Execare Plus for 48-hour repair service on AST
notebook products.

The price reductions are as high as 16 percent on some Powerexec El
models with retail prices ranging from $1,499 for the entry-level
monochrome model to $2,799 for a notebook with a passive matrix
display, a removable 120 megabyte (MB) hard disk drive, Microsoft
Windows, and a Smartpoint cableless trackball.

AST has enjoyed a successful year in the PC marketplace, with 1992
revenues totaling more than $1.1 billion. The company says it had the
third largest market share of PCs sold last year and was listed in
Fortune Magazine's 500 largest industrial companies in America and
Forbes Magazine's Profit List. The company is headquartered in Irvine,
California.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930209/Press Contact: Deborah Paquin, AST,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00026)

 ****Apple's Color Powerbook, New Products At Macworld 02/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Apple Computer says it
has shipped its 10 millionth Macintosh computer. At the enormous
Macworld Exposition held this week in Tokyo, the company also
introduced eight new products, including the long awaited color
Powerbook notebook computer, five new desktop systems, and two
new laser printers.

Apple says this is the first time it has launched new products
outside the United States and over 100,000 visitors are on hand
in Toyko attending the Macworld show. This is also the 10th
anniversary of the company's Japanese subsidiary, Apple Japan.

A new Macintosh LC, the LC III, is an improved model of the
popular Macintosh LC II, which Apple says was its best seller
in 1992. The III, priced at $1,349 has a 25 MHz Motorola 68030
microprocessor, a 32-bit bus architecture, and comes standard
with 4 megabytes (MB) of dynamic random access memory (DRAM)
expandable to 36 MB as opposed to the LC II which was only
expandable to 10 MB.

An 80 MB or 160 MB hard drive is available for the LC III and
an LC processor direct slot (PDS) is included for specialized
expansion capabilities such as Ethernet networking, Apple IIe
emulation, and NTSC video-out and video capture. On-board sound
input and output is also included as is a small computer
systems interface (SCSI) port.

A Macintosh LC III Upgrade Kit is available for $599 to
Macintosh LC and LC II customers who wish to upgrade, Apple
said.

The new Macintosh Centris is described as midrange computers
geared toward mainstream business and professional users. The
Centris line offers two systems -- the Macintosh Centris 610
and Macintosh Centris 650 -- both equipped with the Motorola
68040. The Centris 610 is retail priced at $1,859 while the
Centris 650 carries a $2,699 price tag.

The Quadra 800, a new member to the company's top of the line
computers, is the most affordable Quadra, with a retail price of
$4,679. The 800 has a mini-tower design and offers a 30 percent
increase in performance over the current entry-level Quadra system.

At last, Apple has introduced the promised color Powerbook, the
PowerBook 165c, with a passive matrix display. Apple says it has the
all-in-one design of the Powerbook 145, 160, and 180, and is retail
priced at $3,399.

Apple has added two new configurations to its Powerbook Duo
System. The PowerBook Duo 230 offers 4MB of RAM, a 120MB hard
disk drive, and comes with an internal fax/modem capable of
data transfer speeds of up to 14,400 bits-per-second (bps), and
send and receive fax speed of 9600 bps. The internal Express
Modem with V.42bis data compression capabilities of up to 4:1
can achieve data throughput of up to 57,600 bps. Retail price
is $3,219.

The new Macintosh Duo Dock station offers a 230 MB hard disk
drive, a Motorola 68882 math coprocessor and 1 MB of video
random access memory (VRAM) for faster video and support for up
to 32,000 colors on Apple displays up to and including the
Macintosh 16" Color Display. The new Duo Dock is $1,975 and
requires a Powerbook Duo notebook at additional cost.

The Duo Dock configuration will also include the file reconciliation
software package Powermerge by Leader Technologies so users can
automatically update files contained on the PowerBook Duo, the Duo
Dock hard drive, or a network server to the latest version.

The company's laser printer line received the addition of the
Laserwriter Select 300 and the Laserwriter Select 310. The new
printers are aimed at affordability and offer Apple Photograde
and Fineprint, and Adobe Postscript imaging technologies. The
Laserwriter Select 300 is $819 and the LaserWriter Select 310 is
$1,079.

Apple is upgrading the standard configuration of the Apple Laserwriter
Pro 600 to include 8 MB of RAM. Users who purchased Laserwriter Pro
600 printers got 8 MB but it was a special offer. The 600 also now has
as standard features 600 dot-per-inch (dpi) resolution and the
company's Photograde technology standard.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930209/Press Contact: Pat Kinley, Apple
Computer, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00027)

Japan - Konica Offers Virus Security Service 02/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Konica, best known in the West as a
photographic film supplier, has started computer virus security
services in Japan. The service, which claims to be unique in Japan,
aims to protect software and hardware against the ravages of worms,
viruses, and Trojan horses.

The new service, which the company claims is Japan's first
comprehensive virus protection facility, aims to provide detection
software plus "on call" technicians to restore systems which have been
hit by viruses. Another feature of the service is to offer bulletins
and anti-viral "fixes" for the latest types of viruses.

Initially, the Konica service will cover the PC9801 series of NEC
computers, as well as IBM PC compatibles. Plans are in hand to extend
the service to most types of PCs on sale in Japan.

(Steve Gold/19930209/Press Contact: [phone])


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00028)

Japan - MITI Develops Anti-Virus Technology 02/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- MITI Japan, the high-tech institute
sponsored by the Japanese government, plans to move into virus
security technology this April.

The aim of the ministry's four-year project is to carry out research
into three types of security systems: code-key generation, digital
coding, and decoding systems.

Plans call for MITI to develop a new type of anti-virus technology,
known as the "integrity" system, which will prevent any new type of
virus from causing problems for PC owners. This technology is similar
to that seen in the latest anti-viral packages in the West, but will
be 100 percent efficient, MITI claims.

Newsbytes notes that three new types of virus -- stealth,
polymorphic and multipartite -- have begun appearing over the last
year.

Stealth viruses are designed to hide within the code of benign files.
They fool anti-viral scanning utilities into thinking that all is
well, when it isn't. Their main approach is to infect the DIR function
of DOS, so allowing scan utilities to be hoodwinked.

The Polymorphic virus, meanwhile, is encrypted to avoid detection.
Each time it runs itself, it re-encrypts using a different key. Not
surprisingly, polymorphic viruses are almost undetectable.

Multipartite viruses are even worse. They alter the disk
partition table to create a jump pointer that is addressed before
any program is executed. The pointer sends the hard disk to
collect data from what looks like an empty section of the hard
disk where, surprise, surprise, the virus resides. As the
requested program exits, it is infected.

The only way to spot multipartite viruses is to look for unusual
disk activity, typified by slow speed accesses on a PC.
Unfortunately, the steady move to 80386SX and 80486-based systems
means that slow hard disk times as a result of this type of virus
are almost impossible to detect.

MITI's anti-virus software is expected to tackle all three types of
virus program.

(Steve Gold/19930209/Press & Public Contact: MITI - Tel: [phone]-
15-11)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00029)

 ****IBM Unveils 18 Mainframe Models, OS Enhancements 02/09/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- IBM has launched
its anticipated push to beef up its mainframe computer line, unveiling
18 new models in its ES/9000 series along with changes to operating
systems that provide more support for industry standards.

The 18 new mainframe models include 10 water-cooled and eight
air-cooled machines, one of which is IBM's most powerful
mainframe computer yet.

IBM has also announced a new pricing plan it calls Customer Value
Pricing. What the plan amounts to is that there are no list prices for
the machines and IBM will bargain with each customer individually.

IBM officials said that the new Model 982 mainframe, which is
available immediately, has 60 to 70 percent more processing power than
its previous top-of-the-line ES/9000 machine.

Big Blue has used new and faster circuitry and higher-density
packaging in the 10 new water-cooled computers, providing faster
performance and more storage. Design enhancements include a fourth
central processor per side, an additional input/output processor on
models with more than 64 channels, and larger buffers.

According to IBM, the performance of the new models beats its
older 520-series machines by 25 to 35 percent, but power
consumption, heat dissipation, and floor space requirements are
the same.

A new Asynchronous Data Mover Facility on these models will help
software such as database management systems move data more
efficiently between central and expanded storage, IBM said.

Customers will be able to upgrade to the new models from the
current 340- and 520-series machines, and within the new line.

The new air-cooled models provide performance as much as 60
percent better than current models, IBM said. They incorporate
the ESCON Multiple Image Facility that lets separate logical
partitions of the machine share communications channels, and the
Asynchronous Pageout Facility for efficient movement of data from
central to expanded storage. Both of these features were
previously offered only on the water-cooled ES/9000 models.

IBM claims that processor storage configurability on the new computers
has been improved and the maximum number of data channels has been
increased to 64 per processor side. Customers can upgrade from the
current models 190 through 610.

IBM also said it plans new models of its air-cooled rack-mounted
processors in the first half of 1994.

All of the new models have a new hardware-based data compression
function that IBM said reduced the amount of data to be moved
between different storage areas and does so with less overhead
than software-based compression.

The new 9036 Remote Channel Extender will allow ES/9000
mainframes to be connected through IBM's ESCON fiber-optic
channels or over common carriers' lines at distances up to 60
kilometers, the company said.

IBM also announced a new guarantee program, called the
Satisfaction Guarantee, which will apply to all ES/9000
processors and upgrades shipped in the future.

On the software side, IBM moved toward industry standards by
announcing MVS/ESA OpenEdition Services, a feature that gives its
high-end MVS/ESA operating system support for some key Portable
Operating System Interface (POSIX) standards. IBM also said it
plans to bring a degree of POSIX support to the VM/ESA operating
system.

IBM also announced a quality program for its MVS/ESA and VSE/ESA
operating systems, saying it would go beyond strict code defects
to focus on issues such as usability, availability, service
support, and responsiveness.

(Grant Buckler/19930209/Press Contact: Ed Trapasso, IBM, 914-642-
4668; Diane Whitehead, IBM, 914-642-5359)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)

 ****Apple Tries To Side-Step PC Price Wars 02/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 9 (NB) -- Apple Computer chairman and
chief executive officer, John Sculley, is again saying he thinks Apple
can avoid the personal computer industry price wars. Industry analysts
are not as sure, however.

"The whole industry in Japan is aware of the increased price
competition here. We have the advantage of being able to sell beyond
price," Sculley said at his address delivered at the Macworld
Exposition this week in Tokyo.

The PC market has become increasingly competitive with major
manufacturers such as AST, Compaq, Dell, IBM, ALR and others
lowering prices to attract consumers.

Apple is also increasing its talk about "affordability" and is
dropping prices. Dan Ness, an analyst for Computer Intelligence
told Newsbytes that no computer company likes to think of
itself as being in a commodities market. Simply put, Apple is
finding the sound capability, user interface, and network
capability that used to differentiate the Macintosh is being
duplicated on the PC, Ness said.

The distinction may appear to be blurring as Apple has even
duplicated the look of the PC with its newly introduced mini-
tower Quadra 800 and is over a year later than the PC market in
introducing a color version of its Powerbook notebook computer.

But Apple says it can compete partly on the outside appearance
of its computers. Reports are Apple chose a hall used for
fashion shows in Tokyo's trendy Harajuku district to make
product introductions. Sculley said Apple was getting away from
the old boxy look that dominated the 1980s to new models with
softer lines and an "organic feel."

(Linda Rohrbough/19930209/Press Contact: Pat Kinley, Apple
Computer, tel [phone], fax [phone]; Dan Ness,
Computer Intelligence/Infocorp, tel [phone], fax 619-587-
8809)