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(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001)
Storagetek Boss Supports Clinton's Info Superhighway "If" 04/01/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- The chairman of
Storage Technology Corporation said he supports President Clinton's
plan for an information superhighway, "if it's done right."
Storagetek boss Ryal Poppa told graduate students at the University
of Colorado's College of Business and Administration "It's a good
proposal, if it's done right. Done wrong, it's a magnificent
opportunity for disaster."
"The government's goal is not to make the greatest information
highway that can be built. It's to get re-elected. That means they
place the goal of building this project within the structure of how
to get re-elected," Poppa told the students.
Poppa heads the largest computer-related company headquartered in
Colorado. Storagetek manufactures and sells tape cartridge data
storage systems for mainframe, midrange, and personal computer
systems and networks.
President Clinton is proposing a network of computers linked by
fiber-optic cable that could carry video, phone conversations, and
computer data, saying it's a way to rebuild the nation's
competitiveness. The system would link researchers, schools,
hospitals, universities and private businesses to huge electronic
libraries, providing the ability to exchange data on an almost
instantaneous basis. The administration is expected to propose
funding the data highway by shifting tens of millions of dollars
from the defense budget.
Poppa told the students the government has a definite role to play
in establishing the network, but it should be run by private
industry. Administration officials have said the network will be a
public-private partnership. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, touring
the university's facilities earlier this week, said the president
has designated his agency as the civil technology agency for the
federal government. "This administration is absolutely committed to
working with the private sector," Brown told reporters.
(Jim Mallory/19930331/Press contact: David Reid, Storagetek,
303-673-4815)
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)
Gateway 2000 Equips Best Seller With CD-ROM Drive 04/01/93
NORTH SIOUX CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Gateway
2000 says it will now include a CD-ROM drive in its top-selling
personal computer system.
The CD-ROM drive will be included in the company's $2,995, 66
megahertz (MHz) 486DX2-powered desktop system. One class of user to
whom inclusion of the drive will be of interest is people using
multimedia applications. Multimedia applications combine the use of
text, video, animation, and sound.
"Gateway's philosophy is to introduce systems that will not be
obsolete in a few months. So as new features and components are
perfected, we include them as part of the system's standard
configuration," says Gateway 2000 President Ted Waitt. He says
multimedia is becoming more affordable and useful to all computer
users, but until now was useful in only specific applications. "With
the additional applications being developed that use multimedia
technology, such as on-line documentation, more users can benefit
from it," according to Waitt.
The company says the CD-ROM drive included in the 486 system is
MPC-compliant, meaning it is fully compatible with multimedia
applications. It also meets Microsoft Video for Windows standards,
is compatible with Kodak's multi-session photo CD, and supports XA
formatting. It comes standard with a 64-kilobyte cache. The company
says it will install the CD-OM drive in place of the 5.25-inch 1.2MB
floppy drive. Gateway says it has already shipped over 50,000 of the
systems since its introduction in September 92. Standard
configuration includes 8 megabytes (MB) of system memory, a 256K
cache, a 340MB IDE hard drive, a 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy disk drive,
an ATI Ultra Pro local bus video card, and a 15-inch color monitor.
Beginning later in April the CD-ROM system will also include
Microsoft's new multimedia software package, Multimedia Pack, a
collection of utilities that includes an on-line interactive Windows
Users Guide, performance diagnostics for digital video playback, a
runtime version of Video for Windows, and 300 media clips of sound,
animation, and video.
(Jim Mallory/19930331/Press contact: Glynis Gibson, Gibson
Communications for Gateway 2000, 312-868-9400; Reader contact:
Gateway 2000, 605-232-2000, 800-846-2000)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00003)
CeBIT - Germans Seek Cellphone Radiation Controls 04/01/93
HANNOVER, GERMANY, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Just as the furor in the
US over handheld cellphone radiation has started to die down, the
German authorities have been spurred into action. Juergen
Bernhardt, head of the German federal office of radiation (BfS),
has made a formal request to the government to set rules
governing maximum levels of electromagnetic radiation, following
a number of health scares in recent months.
Speaking at the CeBIT computer fair in Hannover, Bernhardt said
that cellular phone transmissions, under certain circumstances,
could heat up human tissue if the transmitting antenna were just
a short distance away from the ear.
Newsbytes notes that certain of the German mobile phones, notably
the older digital systems, can generate up to two watts of power
from a handheld. This contrasts to the 600 milliwatts (0.6 watts)
that the TACS (total access communications system) and AMPS
(American mobile phone system) analogue cellular phones radiate.
Bernhardt revealed that his department, having done some
preliminary research into the situation, had concluded
that human tissue can tolerate an increase of 0.5 degrees
centigrade without any risk. However, because precise
measurements within the human body cannot be taken, he admitted
it is impossible to assess the effects of cellular phone
transmissions on the human body, particularly the brain.
When questioned, he replied that an increase of just a few
degrees could affect the brain and vision.
A likely side effect of Bernhardt's comments is that the German
government, and quite possible the European Commission (EC), may
be galvanized into beginning a study into the effects of cellular
radiation from handheld phones. This could have a profound
effect on the development of mobile phone technology in Europe,
if not the world, as industry comment has been brewing
in Europe for some time.
Worries about the effect of radiation from handheld cellphones
have been growing for several months since a US man filed lawsuit
in January of this year, alleging that a tumor in his wife's
brain was caused or exacerbated by a handheld cellular phone.
(Steve Gold/19930401)
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00004)
AST Sets Up In Finland 04/01/93
HELSINKI, FINLAND, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- AST Research has opened its
first sales office in Finland to service what it claims is the
growing market for its products in the country.
Strong sellers in the Finnish market, according to AST, are the
company's notebook, desktop and file server PCs. The new office,
which is located in Helsinki, will provide both pre- and after-
sales support. Previously, this was provided by AST's
distributors in Finland, backed up its Swedish office, although
AST officials stressed that a high degree of support would still
be provided through the company's distribution channels.
"The timing is right for a local AST presence in Finland,"
explained Gustaf Malmros, AST Sweden's managing director. "There
is a good potential for growth. AST's combination of good
products, competitive pricing, quality service and long warranty
periods have resulted in a 200 percent sales growth in Sweden
during the past year, and we are working toward similar success
in Finland."
Plans call for AST to sub-contract out much of its servicing
operations to Nexor, the Finnish maintenance company. Nexor,
which has offices in Helsinki and eight other cities in the
country, provides service to many computer companies in Finland.
(Steve Gold/19930401/Press & Public Contact: AST Europe - Tel:
in the UK 081-568-4350)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00005)
UK - Vodafone Tops In Cellphone Quality 04/01/93
NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, 1994 APR 1 (NB) -- Vodafone has claimed it
is on top in a cellular phone quality of service survey,
conducted by Oftel, the UK government-appointed telecom
watchdog. Newsbytes notes, however, that Vodafone is one of two
cellular service providers in the UK. The other service provider
is Cellnet.
This hasn't stopped Vodafone from jumping up and down, claiming
quality market dominance, even if the market is restricted to
just two service providers.
What is interesting, however, is the statement from Vodafone that
it now has 820,000 of the UK's 1.4 million cellular subscribers
on its books. This suggests that Cellnet is losing the battle to
retain its market share. Even as recently as January of this
year, Cellnet was claiming that it had around 45 percent of the
subscriber base.
To assess the quality of service differences between the two
service providers, Oftel monitored 120 call routes around the UK.
Vodafone-routed calls had a 93 percent success rate, as compared
with 88.7 percent for Cellnet.
Unlike the US, the two cellular network providers in the UK have
a fundamentally different approach to cellular call routing.
Cellnet routes its mobile to public switched telephone network
(PSTN) calls through British Telecom's network, which shares
ownership of Cellnet with Securicor.
Vodafone, in contrast, has an agreement with Mercury
Communications to use its national network, although the final
leg of most calls is completed via the BT network on a local loop
basis.
The call routes were selected by Oftel on the basis of a typical
set of calls made by a car, driving for six hours a day. Calls
from a mobile to another mobile achieved a success rate of 91
percent, while mobile to PSTN links were 94 percent successful.
What is interesting about the results of the survey, Newsbytes
notes, is that no one is making any mention of the successful
call switching rate for hand portable phones. Carphones typically
generate up to four watts of power, whereas handhelds are limited
by British law to just 600 milliwatts (0.6 watts). Around two-
thirds of cellphones sold in the UK are handheld units.
(Steve Gold/19930401)
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00006)
****Apple, IBM, Philips Work On New Multimedia Standards 04/01/93
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- According to Het
Financieele Dagblad, the leading Dutch daily financial newspaper,
Apple, IBM, and Philips are actively cooperating on the
development of a new multimedia standard.
The last definitive statement on the minimum requirements
for multimedia was at a Microsoft conference in late 1990,
Newsbytes notes. At the conference, representatives agreed
that the minimum specification for a multimedia system was an
80286-based PC equipped with one megabyte of memory.
Since then, multimedia standards have progressed enormously. Many
of the latest multimedia compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
discs require a 386SX-based or better PC, equipped with four
megabytes of memory.
The Dutch paper quotes John Hawkins, head of Philips CD-I
(compact disc interactive) division, as confirming that
discussions are taking place to define a new standard.
If the discussions do produce a new standard, then the benefits
to the industry will be enormous. Currently, there is
considerable confusion over multimedia and CD-I. Many CD-ROM
discs on sale at the moment call themselves multimedia but in
very small print on the box, the 386SX/4MB minimum specification
is listed.
According to several CD-ROM outlets Newsbytes contacted
in recent months, many PC users end up returning the discs, once
they realize their systems do not come up to the minimum
specifications.
One particular problem centers around the speed at which CD-I
requires the disc to be accessed. Many of the cheaper CD-ROM
drives at the moment have an average access speed of 300
milliseconds, whereas some of the latest CD-I discs require a
minimum speed of between 150 and 200 milliseconds.
The net effect of this is that time-out errors occur when
accessing the disc. Although recoverable, the errors do interrupt
the enjoyment of game discs.
(Steve Gold/19930401)
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00007)
****CeBIT Closes Its Doors - 660,000 Attended 04/01/93
HANNOVER, GERMANY, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- And you thought COMDEX Fall
in Las Vegas was big? As the eight-day CeBIT computer fair closed
its doors on Wednesday March 31, the organizers, Deutsche Messe
AG, revealed that a grand total of 660,000 visitors attended the
event -- up two percent on last year's attendance, which was
itself a record.
As previously reported by Newsbytes, more than 5,600 exhibitors
from 45 countries attended the event, which this year had a
special section for East European countries. Interestingly,
Deutsche Messe's statistics -- issued just hours after the show
closed -- show that 104,000 visitors were from outside Germany,
an increase of 13 percent from last year. Out of these
"foreigners," 14,000 were from Eastern Europe, an increase of 40
percent on last year's figures.
Reading between the lines from these figures, it's obvious that
the number of CeBIT attendees from within Germany is falling.
Judging from previous experience of the show, Newsbytes notes
that the re-unification of Germany is costing the country dearly.
A recent report in the Financial Times of London concluded that
Germany is on the verge of its biggest recession ever, as a
result of the combined effects of the world recession and the
sheer cost of re-unification come home to roost.
Commenting on the show, Phil Benge, marketing director with
Dataflex Design, which showed off its new PCMCIA modems at CeBIT,
said that he sees Germany as still showing a high degree of sales
potential, but the country is definitely suffering as a result of
re-unification.
"The show was still well attended this year, but you can see what
is happening. It was dirtier and scruffier than previous years.
Things are changing in Germany," he told Newsbytes.
(Steve Gold/19930401)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00008)
US Robotics Buys PNB In France 04/01/93
SURSESNES, FRANCE, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- US Robotics, the US modem
manufacturer, has acquired PNB, the French data communications
company, for an undisclosed sum.
Announcing the deal, Casey Cowell, US Robotics' president, said
that the acquisition will significantly expand the company's
presence in the French market.
"With the PNB acquisition, we now have a greatly expanded
customer base, which is essential in cultivating new business
ventures in France in particular and Europe in general," he said.
Newsbytes notes that PNB was set up in 1985 by two French
citizens -- Nicholas Bocquet and Isabelle Nikitine -- the latter
of whom will remain with the company as chairman, while the
former will stay on as ahead of research and development
operations.
The move appears to be highly strategic for US Robotics. Shortly
before COMDEX Fall last year, Newsbytes was shown a mock-up of a
planned PCMCIA card modem from the company. Dale Walsh, vice
president of advanced development with US Robotics said that he
planned to ship the modem some time during the latter half of the
year.
Since then, a number of companies have released PCMCIA modems to
the market, including Intel, Megahertz Corporation, Psion and, as
reported yesterday by Newsbytes, Dataflex Design. Commenting on
the acquisition, Phil Benge, marketing director with Dataflex
Design, said that the deal was strategic for US Robotics.
"PNB has some interesting developments on the PCMCIA front. I'm
not surprised that US Robotics got in there. It will give them
access to PNB's developments in the PCMCIA field," he told
Newsbytes.
(Steve Gold/19930401/Press & Public Contact: US Robotics - Tel:
708-982-5235)
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00009)
Compaq Logo Change - April Fool's Day Joke 04/01/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Australian daily faxed
computer news service Computer Daily News (CDN) gave readers
around Australia a chuckle today. On April Fool's day it ran a
humorous story about Compaq changing its logo.
To quote CDN - "For any puzzled students of typography to whom the
changes are not immediately obvious, CDN is pleased to offer this
guide.
"In line with Compaq's stature today and its leadership in the
computer industry, the letter M has a sharp new point while a
small patch of white gives a rather more pronounced swash to the
Q. And the four point underline has disappeared, perhaps
reflecting Compaq's evaporating margins. More to the point is a
metamorphosis that, alas, CDN can not show you, given current
fax technology: the color of the lettering has changed from
corporate gray to revolutionary red."
The story cheered readers around the country, some taking it on
face value, and others reading it as an April fool's day joke.
This reporter today received the official announcement from
Compaq .... and I still don't know if its a joke!
And speaking of CDN, the paper recently celebrated its first
birthday. It has already found acceptance among many leaders
in the computer industry in Australia.
(Paul Zucker/19930401)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00010)
ISDN Comes To Moscow 04/01/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Golden Line, a joint venture
between the Canadian company Newbridge and the Moscow telephone
network, has announced availability of ISDN service in Moscow.
The service area now is very small and the charges hefty.
Newbridge Networks, a long-time partner of the Moscow City
Phone Network (MGTS), will supply the necessary equipment
to the new company, while MGTS is to offer its phone lines,
including available digital ones.
The service now covers the US and UK embassies, two large
news companies and three other multinationals' offices.
The service provides a customer with one fax, one data and
five telephone lines at a cost of US$8700 to set up. The charge
is then US$2700 monthly with long distance charges additional.
The service is aimed at large international corporations and
banks, said MGTS chief Victor Vasiliev.
Further service area increases, covering the central part
of the city, are expected in the late 1994 -- the total
investment required is in the US$25 millions range.
(Kirill Tchashchin/19930401/Press Contact: Golden Line,
phone +7 095 299-4298)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00011)
Russia - St Petersbourg Phone Prices Up 04/01/93
ST. PETERSBOURG, RUSSIA, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Businesses in
St. Petersbourg will now need to pay $515 dollars to set up a
regular telephone line. This 3-fold price hike, along with
others, was announced by the city phone administration.
Residential phone service, although still inexpensive and
subsidized, has also doubled in price effective April 1.
An annual city phone subscription will cost any business the
equivalent of US$50.
The city phone network has once again announced its intent to
heavily tax modem and fax users, requiring them to pay
US$110 for "registration of the equipment." As paying
this sum does not changes the service offered a bit, a
very small number of companies are expected to sign up.
Despite earlier fears that Moscow should expect a
similar price move, no announcement has been made in
Russian capital. All basic phone services are now 2-3
times cheaper in Moscow than in St. Petersbourg.
(Kirill Tchashchin/19930401)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00012)
China - Motorola Sells CT2 in Zhejiang Province 04/01/93
CAUSEWAYBAY, HONG KONG, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Motorola has signed an
agreement for the Ningbo Post and Telecommunications Authority
in Zhejiang Province to market Motorola's CT2 Silverlink
handsets. The handsets are intended for use on Telepoint network
which is currently under construction.
Motorola is to supply its integrated pager and CT2 handset, when it
becomes available. In many remote parts of China it is easier to
install CT2 and mobile communications than to install the necessary
cables for standard wired telephone lines.
"CT2 is called the peoples's phone in China because it provides the
average city-dweller with affordable and convenient access to the
public telecommunications network," said Kenneth Hirschhorn, senior
manager, Asia/Pacific for Motorola's Telepoint Systems.
"Cellular phones and service are often too expensive for most people
and wired telephones often are just not an option," he said.
The initial contract value is worth $1.4 million. It is expected that
the market will rapidly expand to $5.5 million as the Ningbo CT2
network expires. Motorola claims that its CT2 systems are becoming the
standard in China. It recently set up offices in Beijing, Shanghai and
Guangzhou to fulfill the growing number of orders.
"In the past CT2 complimented the pager," said Mr Hirschhorn. "The
combined handsets represent the next logical step forward in CT2
communications."
(Brett Cameron/19930401/Press Contact: Kenneth Hirschhorn, Tel: +852-
512 4444;HK time is GMT + 8)
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00013)
****Microsoft Details 3rd Party Contributors To DOS 6 04/01/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Microsoft
didn't add all the new features in its latest version of the
DOS operating system, MS-DOS 6.0, all by itself. The company's
chief, Bill Gates, told over 10,000 user group members at the
satellite launch of MS-DOS 6.0 that Microsoft had partnered
with other makers of DOS utilities to produce the product.
Specifically, Microsoft said it had worked with Symantec's
Peter Norton group on the backup portion of MS-DOS 6.0 and with
Central Point Software on the new antivirus and undelete
features of the product. Users familiar with the Symantec and
Central Point products for both DOS and Windows will recognize
an immediate look-and-feel type of similarity between the
Symantec and Central Point products and the features in MS-DOS
6.0.
Carlsbad, California-based Stac Electronics, makers of the disk
compression utility Stacker, say they were on the list of
companies Microsoft approached about "partnering" on MS-DOS
6.0. The company has filed suit against Microsoft claiming
compression technology integrated into MS-DOS 6.0 is covered by
its own patents.
MS-DOS 6.0 adds its new compression, antivirus, and backup
features not only to DOS, but if DOS 6.0 is installed on a
Windows equipped personal computer (PC), users will notice the
new features available in the Windows File Manager as well.
To answer claims that it is stealing business away from utility
makers by adding the features it has to the operating system,
Microsoft has released a list of vendors who have developed new
utilities for MS-DOS 6.0 users. The list includes Symantec,
Central Point, PC Kwik, Fifth Generation Systems, and Addstor.
Symantec has announced new versions of its data recovery and
disk optimization products to work with MS-DOS 6.0 compressed
volumes. Central Point is providing updated versions of the MS-
DOS 6.0 antivirus program Safe Six for added virus detection.
PC Kwik announced new versions of its disk cache performance
utilities geared toward MS-DOS 6 compressed drives as well as
support for compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives.
Verisoft Systems has announced its Spacemanager utilities for
compression and compression management such as selective file
compression, greater file compatibility, and management of
compressed files geared toward MS-DOS 6.0 users. Fifth
Generation Systems says its entire product line is already
compatible with MS-DOS 6.0, including its backup product
Fastback as well as its other utility products.
Addstor, known for its compression product Superstor, says its
Doubletools utility offers MS-DOS 6.0 users the ability to view
and manage compressed files. Addstor also says Doubletools
allows users to move disks with compressed files to machines
where compression is not present and still read the files.
Background defragmentation, automatic mounting of removable
media, such as floppy disk drives are also offered in the
Doubletools products, expected for release in the second
quarter of this year, Addstor said.
In fact, it appears compression may increase the need for
computer users to purchase new utility products that can deal
with compressed files. Microsoft says only two percent of PC
users had compression products on their hard disk drives, but
that number is expected to increase significantly with the
addition of compression into the MS-DOS 6.0 operating system.
Over 100 million PC users have some version of DOS installed on
their PCs now and over 400 original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs) have committed to offering MS-DOS 6.0 with their new PCs
sold, Microsoft said. PCs with MS-DOS 6.0 installed are
expected to become prevalent by May of this year, according to
Bill Gates.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930401/Press Contact: Collins Hemmingway,
Microsoft, tel 206-882-8080, fax 206-936-7329; Pam Barnett,
Wilson McHenry for Symantec, tel 415-592-7600, fax 415-592-
8324; John Davis, Central Point Software, 503-644-5644; Anatoly
Tikhamn, Vertisoft Systems, 415-956-5999; Jan Johnson, Fifth
Generation Systems, 504-291-7221; Tom Russell, Addstor, 415-
688-0470)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)
Bell Canada Denied Interim Rate Increase 04/01/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- The Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has
refused Bell Canada's application for an interim increase in
local telephone rates this spring. An application to increase
rates and expand some local calling areas is still before
federal regulators.
Bell had asked for an interim rate increase of C$1.40 per
residence line and C$3.25 for a single business line, effective
April 1. This would have affected customers throughout the
company's service area, which includes provinces of Ontario and
Quebec and parts of the Northwest Territories.
The CRTC is still considering an application for further
increases this fall, coupled with larger local-service areas in
the three largest metropolitan areas the company serves. Bell
calls this idea the Community Calling Plan. On September 1, Bell
plans a substantial expansion of the local-calling area
surrounding Toronto and that around Ottawa and neighboring Hull,
Quebec. The Montreal local calling area would be similarly
expanded November 1. Rates in these areas would go up an average
of C$3.80 a month for residential lines and C$8.85 a month for
business lines, Bell said.
Many customers outside those areas would also face rate increases
on September 1, resulting in total increases over today's rates
of between C$1.90 and C$4.90 per month for residential service,
and C$3.25 to C$13.25 for single-line business customers.
Bell's application to the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) also puts forth an
alternative to Community Calling Plan. It would mean average rate
increases of C$3.85 for residential lines and C$6.50 for business
lines.
Bell spokeswoman Susanna Cluff-Clyburne said the interim rate
increase would have brought Bell about C$69 million in added
revenue between now and September 1. Bell will now have to
reconsider some capital expenditures, she said.
In filing the original application, Bell officials said the
increases were needed because of growing competition, not only as
a result of the CRTC decision last spring that allowed two other
companies to launch competitive long-distance service, but also
from cellular telephone firms and long-distance resellers.
(Grant Buckler/19930401/Press Contact: Susanna Cluff-Clyburne,
Bell Canada, 613-785-0579)
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00015)
Wang Completes Sale Of Taiwan Subsidiary 04/01/93
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Wang
Laboratories said it completed the sale of its remaining
70-percent interest in a Taiwan manufacturing subsidiary, Wang
Laboratories Taiwan Ltd., to the same group of Taiwan investors
that had earlier bought 30 percent of the manufacturing unit.
The sale price was essentially Wang's debt to the Taiwan
operation. Wang is to be relieved of about $150 million in
obligations to the Taiwan manufacturing subsidiary. Company
spokesman Ed Pignone said there was "no significant cash
involved" in the deal.
The newly independent company will also get a 51-percent interest
in Wang Industrial Company Ltd., Wang's Taiwan sales and
marketing subsidiary.
Under a new name not yet announced, the manufacturing subsidiary
will continue to make personal computers for Wang. PCs were its
primary product, Pignone said. It will also be able to
manufacture hardware for other companies, he added.
The Taiwan investors bought their initial 30-percent interest in
Wang Laboratories Taiwan in 1990.
(Grant Buckler/19930401/Press Contact: Frank Ryan, Wang,
508-967-7038; Ed Pignone, Wang, 508-967-4912)
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)
IBM Speech Recognition Products 04/01/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- IBM Personal
Computer Company North America has launched two new speech
recognition software products. Made for IBM by Dragon Systems
of Newton, Massachusetts, VoiceType Control for Windows and
VoiceType 2 let users control their computers with spoken
commands and, with VoiceType 2, input text by speaking into a
microphone.
VoiceType Control for Windows lets users manipulate Microsoft
Windows 3.1 and applications written for it with voice commands
such as "file save," "font bold," and "next window." The software
supports 64 commands per application and allows users to switch
active vocabularies as they switch applications.
It comes with commands predefined for 10 of Windows' built-in
"applets" and 10 Windows applications: Lotus 1-2-3, Ami Pro,
CorelDraw, Excel, Harvard Graphics, Microsoft Word, PageMaker,
PowerPoint, Quicken, and WordPerfect. Altogether there are 350
built-in commands, and users can add up to 4,000 more commands of
their own, according to Dragon Systems.
VoiceType Control for Windows costs $129 and works with Sound
Blaster audio cards from Creative Labs Inc. IBM said it is
speaker-independent, meaning it does not have to be trained to a
specific user's voice.
VoiceType 2 is a more sophisticated product designed for general
dictation and input to DOS applications, Dragon spokeswoman
Esther Agonis said. It also lets users control applications with
voice commands, and comes ready to use with several software
packages: dBase IV, DisplayWrite, Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Word,
Multimate, Quicken, WordPerfect, and WordStar 2000. As with
VoiceType Control for Windows, users can add their own commands.
VoiceType 2 can handle an active vocabulary of 7,000 words, and
adapts to a speaker's voice automatically, IBM said. It requires
the IBM M-Audio Capture and Playback Adapter. A 100,000-word
spelling dictionary helps ensure correct input, the company said,
and VoiceType 2 can enter as many as 1,000 keystrokes with one
voice command.
Both products require a PC with an Intel 386SX processor or
above. Only the sound boards named above are supported at
present, Agonis said. VoiceType Control for Windows works with
Microsoft Windows 3.1. VoiceType 2 operates under DOS, and can
run in a DOS session under Windows 3.1 or OS/2 2.0, the company
said. It is priced at $2,195. Both products will be available
May 28, IBM said.
As mentioned earlier, Creative Labs' Sound Blaster line of sound
boards will support IBM's new VoiceType Control for Windows
speech recognition product.
In announcing the support, Walt Nawrocki, IBM Audio and Speech
Recognition Systems Manager, "What Sound Blaster support means
to VoiceType Control for Windows, is instant access to an exciting
new technology for the installed base of over 2.3 million Sound
Blaster users. We think the combination of reasonably-priced
voice recognition, built-in vocabulary for 21 business applications
and applets, and Sound Blaster compatibility, immediately makes
VoiceType Control for Windows a viable tool for a wide range of
desktop users."
(Grant Buckler & Ian Stokell/19930401/Press Contact: Ralph Hammock,
IBM, 914-642-5464; Esther Agonis, Dragon Systems, 617-965-5200, fax
617-527-0372; Benita Kenn, 408-428-6600, Creative Labs)
(NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00017)
Network Computing Devices Gets NASA X-Terminal Contract 04/01/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- NASA has
chosen Network Computing Devices as the only vendor to supply
X terminals under its Scientific and Engineering Workstation
Procurement (SEWP) program.
According to the company, the contract has a potential value
of $4 million, which translates into several thousand color X
terminals, over the next five years. The contract was awarded by
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center through contractor
Government Technology Services (GTSI).
NCD says it has already begun taking orders from NASA sites
for its 14-inch NCD14c, 17-inch NCD17c and 19-inch NCD19c
color X terminal models. The NCD19c is based on the Motorola
MC88100 RISC processor, with screen resolution of 1280 by
1024 pixels. The NCD14c and NCD17c are based on Motorola's
MC68020 CISC processor, and offer 1024- by 768-pixel
resolution.
The company says that SEWP is a "NASA-wide indefinite-
delivery, indefinite-quantity contracting vehicle for technical
workstations, peripherals, and networking equipment."
In April, 1992, NCD won a $30 million contract for the
Department of Defense's Joint Computer-Aided Acquisition
and Logistic Support (JCALS) system. That contract, for 13,000
color and monochrome X terminals, was awarded through
contractor Computer Science Corp. (CSC).
In December, 1992, Newsbytes reported that the company
had introduced remote control software designed to allow
field personnel to access Unix or VMS/based host computers
with PCs.
At the time, the company said its PC-XView with PC-Xremote
program is designed to turn a PC into an X Windows system
server that allows PC users not connected to a local area
network (LAN) to access hosts that support X using a modem
or through an RS-232 serial port direct connection. The remote
Unix or VMS applications can be run and viewed
simultaneously with local PC applications.
In April, 1992, Newsbytes reported that, in an effort to break
into the X terminal market, Adobe Systems signed an agreement
calling for porting of the company's Display PostScript system
to X Window System terminals made by NCD.
(Ian Stokell/19930401/Press Contact: Judy Estrin,
415-694-0650, Network Computing Devices)
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00018)
Borland Offers Free dBASE DOS Compiler 04/01/93
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Borland
International is offering all registered owners of dBASE IV
Developer's Edition 1.0 and 1.1 a free copy of the new dBASE
Compiler for DOS. The offer is available through May 15, 1993.
According to the company, the dBASE Compiler for DOS
generates fully functional DOS executable programs for
applications written in dBASE III, dBASE Plus, and all versions
of dBASE IV. The company claims that the new dBASE Compiler
is the only compiler 100 percent-compatible with the dBASE
language.
Borland says that delivery of the product fulfills a commitment
originally made by Ashton-Tate to provide a dBASE Compiler.
As reported extensively by Newsbytes, Borland acquired
Ashton-Tate in a move that stunned the database industry.
The dBASE Compiler for DOS is immediately available and has
a suggested retail price of $495. The company says that all US
and Canadian registered owners of the dBASE IV Developer's
Edition 1.0 and 1.1 will automatically receive a mailing with
product information.
Unregistered owners should call 1-800-352-6767 extension
1111 in the US and provide proof of purchase to receive their
complimentary copy. Canadian customers can call
1-800-461-3327. The company says that customers outside
of North America should contact the Borland office in their
country regarding the offer.
Once the free offer has expired, the upgrade price for
Developer's Edition 1.0 and 1.1 owners will be $199.95.
(Ian Stokell/19930401/Press Contact: Allison Niday,
408-439-4872, Borland International)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
****Big Shakeout Coming? 04/01/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Hints are
growing stronger that a major shakeout among computer firms,
online firms, cable firms, and telephone firms is coming, with
alliances or company purchases planned on all sides.
Among those talking up the idea were Apple Computer Chairman John
Sculley, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, Tele-Communications Inc.'s
President John Malone and QVC Network Chairman Barry Diller, a
former movie studio executive. All agreed at a seminar that the
merger of their industries is all but inevitable. Malone expects
equity deals among major players and various forms of alliances.
MCI President Daniel Akerson was not at the San Jose meeting, but
he weighed in with his own rumors in talks with reporters. MCI
has previously said it wants microwave-based PCN cellular
services given out to three national consortia, which would give
its network a major place at the table, but since the proposal
has gone nowhere so far, MCI is looking toward a Plan B. That
might include a tie-up with, surprise, John Malone of TCI,
perhaps an exchange of equity. The idea would be that TCI, which
already has a tie-in with US West on PCN, could handle local
calls on its network, but pass the long distance calls to MCI's
network. Since TCI is the largest cable operator, this would
assure MCI a large share of future PCN long-distance traffic.
AT&T group executive Robert Kavner also laid-in during a speech
in New York. He said his company is interested in an "information
services company," but neither he nor an AT&T spokesman contacted
by Newsbytes would be more specific. AT&T already has stakes in
Go Inc., makers of the PenPoint operating system, Eo Inc., which
produced the chips used in its forthcoming Personal
Communicators, General Magic Inc., producers of the Magic Cap and
Telescript system for future small companies, and 3DO Inc., an
interactive video start-up. Speculation quickly centered on
Prodigy, partnered by Sears and IBM, and America Online, which is
a public company.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930401/Press Contact: John Houser, MCI, 800-
289-0073; Jim McGann, AT&T, 202-457-3542)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
BellSouth Testing Wireless Centrex 04/01/93
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- BellSouth is
testing a PCN-based wireless phone system for large buildings.
PCN phones work at microwave frequencies of about 1.8 GHz, double
the frequencies used by regular cellular phones, meaning the
phones use less power but base stations must be closer together.
In the BellSouth test, a few dozen employees at its research
center east of Birmingham will be given pocket handsets made by
Northern Telecom, through which they can be reached wherever they
go in the area. Northern is also providing the base stations and
links to the in-building PBX used in the test, said a BellSouth
spokesman The company calls the concept "Wireless Centrex." A
roll-out of the commercial service would require market research
and an allocation of necessary frequencies.
New frequencies are not needed for the Southwestern Bell roll-out
of a wireless service for in-buildings phones announced
yesterday. Spokesman Tim Gregg confirmed to Newsbytes that the
system his company will roll out throughout its service areas in
the next few months is mainly a system of "micro-cells" linked to
its regular cellular systems. Calls automatically transfer to the
company's regular cellular network when the in-building system,
made by Panasonic, cannot locate the person being called.
Hospitals are said to be among the first prospects for such
systems, since they could be used to easily reach doctors on
rounds, and are preferable to pagers since they allow immediately
two-way conversations in emergencies. "This is just the beginning
of our venture into the PCN arena," Gregg added. "It's proof that
cellular frequencies can indeed be a significant player in the
PCN arena."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930401/Press Contact: BellSouth, Dick Miles,
404-529-8003; Southwestern Bell, Tim Gregg, 214-733-2132)
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00021)
BoCoEx Index 04/01/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Boston Computer
Exchange for the week ending March 26, 1993.
Closing Prices from the Boston Computer Exchange
Machine Main Closing Price Ask Bid
Drive Price Change
IBM AT 339 30 MgB 390 400 350
IBM PS/2 Model 30 286 20 MgB 400 450 300
IBM PS/2 Model 50Z 30 MgB 450 500 400
IBM PS/2 Model 55SX 60 MgB 875 900 800
IBM PS/2 Model 60 40 MgB 450 500 325
IBM ThinkPad 300 120 MgB 1550 1600 1400
IBM ThinkPad 700C 120 MgB 3200 3400 3200
IBM V\P 3/25T MOD. 80 80 MgB 1500 1600 1500
IBM PS/2 Model 95-OKF 400 MgB 3300 3500 3000
IBM PS/2 Model 95-OJF 400 MgB 3000 3300 2700
Compaq Portable II 20 MgB 225 500 200
Compaq Portable III 20 MgB 350 400 200
Compaq Portable 386 100 MgB 750 800 700
Compaq SLT-286 40 MgB 650 700 600
Compaq LTE-286 40MgB 700 700 600
Compaq LTE-386 30MgB 750 850 700
Compaq LTE-LITE\25C 120MB 2400 2600 2300
Compaq Systempro LT-486 510 MgB 2200 2400 2100
Compaq Syspro 386/25LT 340 MgB 2100 2300 1950
Compaq Deskpro 486 /33I 120 MgB 1850 1900 1750
Compaq SysPro 486/33 2040 MgB 6800 7000 6300
Compaq DeskP 486DX2/66i 240 MgB 2100 2400 1900
AST Prem Exec 386SX20 40 MgB 900 1000 800
NEC UltraLite 286 20 MgB 550 600 500
NEC UltraLite 386SX/20 40 MgB 900 950 800
Zenith Mastersprt-386SX 60 MgB 950 1100 900
Zenith SuperSport 386SX 40 MgB 750 900 650
Macintosh Classic 40 MgB 650 700 600
Macintosh Classic II 40 MgB 800 850 750
Macintosh SE 20 MgB 575 650 550
Macintosh SE-30 80 MgB 1150 1250 1100
Macintosh LC 40 MgB 1000 1300 800
Macintosh II 40 MgB 1400 1500 1300
Macintosh II SI 80 MgB 1600 1700 1500
Macintosh II CX 80 MgB 1600 1700 1600
Macintosh II CI 80 MgB 2250 2350 2200
Macintosh II FX 80 MgB 2800 3000 2800
Macintosh Quadra 700 160 MgB 3250 3500 3200
Macintosh Quadra 900 160 MgB 4000 4300 3900
Macintosh Powerbk 160 120 MgB 2600 2700 2500
Macintosh Powerbk 140 40 MgB 1350 1400 1250
Macintosh Powerbk 170 80 MgB 2200 2300 2100
Apple Imagewriter 2 200 225 175
Apple Laserwriter LS 550 600 500
HP Laserjet II 750 800 750
HP Laserjet III 1050 1100 1000
Toshiba T-1200 XE 20 MgB 575 650 550
Toshiba T-1600 40 MgB 625 700 600
Toshiba T-2000 SX 40 MgB 900 1000 900
Toshiba T-2000 SXE 40 MgB 950 1050 900
Toshiba T-2200 SX 80MgB 1250 1300 1200
Toshiba T-3100 SX 80 MgB 1000 1300 900
Toshiba T-3200 40 MgB 650 800 600
Toshiba T-3200 SX 40 MgB 850 900 800
Toshiba T-3200 SXC 120 MgB 2250 2400 2100
Toshiba T-6400SX 120 MgB 2400 2700 2200
Toshiba T-4400SX 120 MgB 1900 2100 1800
Toshiba T-5200 100 MgB 1400 1500 1400
BoCoEx Index data is compiled by Market Analyst, Gary M. Guhman
Here are some current retail-oriented Seats on the Exchange, presented in a
cyclic basis.
Dallas - Ft. Worth, TX - DFW Computer Exchange - M.B. Lee - 817-244-7833
Escondido, Ca. - Affordable Computer Solutions - Dean Jacobus - 619-738-
4980
New Orleans, Louisiana - Audubon Computer Rental - Mike Barry - 504-522-
0348
Detroit, Michigan - CompuCycle - Walt Hogan - 313-887-2600
Computer Exchange\\NorthWest - Dye Hawley - 206-820-1181
Albuquerque, NM, Western Computer Exchange - David Levin - 505-265-1330
Fresno, California - MacSource Computers - Mike Kurtz - 209-438-6227
BoCoEx Index prices are based on complete systems with keyboard, VGA
monitor and adapter, less the value of any software or peripherals.
Boston Computer Exchange is available at: 617-542-4414, Buyer's HotLine: 1-
800-262-6399, In Alaska and Canada 1-800-437-2470, FAX: 617-542-8849.
(BOCOEX/19930401)
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00022)
Microsoft Offers Apple, IBM Multimedia Titles 04/01/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Microsoft has
unveiled five new multimedia titles: Microsoft Dinosaurs;
Multimedia Mozart: The Dissonant Quartet; Multimedia Stravinsky:
The Rite of Spring; Microsoft Musical Instruments for the Macintosh;
and Microsoft Bookshelf, CD-ROM reference library, 1993 Edition.
Microsoft Musical Instruments, now for the Macintosh (previously
only for the PC) is the first of several titles for the
Macintosh promised by Microsoft. Microsoft quotes figures from
Apple Computer which indicate there will be 1.5 million Apple
CD-ROM drives purchased by the end of 1993. More than 45
percent of customers who buy modular Apple Macintosh desktop
computers are selecting a built-in CD-ROM drive, according to
Apple. That means it's finally a good time to get into the Macintosh
CD-ROM business.
The highlight of the PC CD-ROMs announced is Microsoft Dinosaurs
for the multimedia PC. The disc is an interactive guide
to a dinosaur's world, complete with 200 articles with photos,
illustrations, narration, and sounds.
Microsoft says the CD-ROM is the second in a series of titles
based on the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness and Atlas series
books, and, as Microsoft says in a press release, "mirrors
Dorling Kindersley's reputation for beautifully illustrated,
engaging reference materials."
Microsoft worked with The Dinosaur Society, a non-profit
corporation devoted to dinosaur science, to ensure the
scientific accuracy of the product. The Dinosaur Society also
consulted on the upcoming Steven Speilberg motion picture,
"Jurassic Park."
Dr. David Weishampel, internationally renowned paleontologist
at Johns Hopkins University and vice president of The Dinosaur
Society, gave his assessment of the product: "By incorporating
newly discovered facts, Microsoft Dinosaurs is one of the most
definitive works on dinosaurs to date."
(Wendy Woods/19930401/Press Contact: Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash.
Julie Larkin, 206/882-8080)
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00023)
Microsoft Multimedia Viewer Toolkit 2.0 04/01/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Microsoft plans to
ship this month its Multimedia Viewer Publishing Toolkit Version
2.0 for Windows, what it calls the next generation of its multimedia
publishing toolkit.
Multimedia Viewer 2.0 supports several emerging multimedia
platforms and "is the most complete multimedia publishing toolkit
ever developed. It combines hypertext, search, retrieval and
multimedia support," according to Martin Dunsmuir, director of
multimedia authoring tools at Microsoft.
Viewer 2.0 includes new authoring tools to allow non-programmers
to easily create titles, Microsoft says, as well as a
multimedia, online tutorial called Viewer Gallery to help
guide developers through the process of title creation.
Microsoft Multimedia Viewer 2.0 introduces multi-platform title
compatibility, allowing a single title to play on any of the
multimedia platforms: the Windows operating system version 3.1
with CD-ROM drives or multimedia PCs, Sony's Multimedia
CD-ROM (MMCD) Player, the Tandy Video Information System (VIS)
player and other devices running the Microsoft Modular
Windows operating system.
The runtime software also is royalty-free, a plus for developers.
The program has a suggested retail price of $495. Viewer 2.0
replaces the Microsoft Multimedia Development Kit. Registered
owners of the MDK can upgrade for $195 by calling Microsoft
directly at 800-227-4679.
(Wendy Woods/19930401/Press Contact: Microsoft, Collins
Hemingway, 206/882-8080)
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00024)
Apple Gets Into Audio Business 04/01/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Apple Computer
has introduced "AppleDesign Powered Speakers," to enhance multimedia
applications.
Eric Harslem, vice president of desktop computing, Macintosh
Systems Division, says the AppleDesign Powered Speakers work
with Macintosh computers or other personal computer platforms
equipped for sound output. In addition, the speakers can be
attached to any CD-ROM drive, CD player, or television equipped
with a sound output jack.
Apple says it engineered the speakers to provide excellent
sound quality in a sleek, compact industrial design. The result
is crisp high tones, clear midranges, and rich bass sounds at a
broad range of speaker volumes. By incorporating the principles
of near-field acoustics into the speaker design, Apple says it
optimized the speakers' sound for personal listening at close
range.
(Wendy Woods/19930401/Press Contact: Amy Bonetti of Apple
Computer, 408-974-4522)
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00025)
Claris Cuts Prices On Windows Programs 04/01/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Claris
Corporation is offering special pricing on its Windows
software, Filemaker Pro 2.0 for Windows and Clarisworks 1.0
for Windows, starting today through August 15.
FileMaker Pro 2.0 for Windows, a database manager, usually
$399, is now $129. ClarisWorks 1.0 for Windows, an integrated
software package, is now $99 but after August 15 will be $249.
These promotional prices are in effect in the US and Canada.
The price breaks don't mean Claris is rethinking its Windows
strategy, claims the company. In fact, according to Dick
Gorman, VP of worldwide marketing, "Claris has intensified
its long-term commitment to Windows with more technical support
resources, training, research and development and marketing
than ever before. We are building upon our success within the
Windows environment and maximizing our market share with this
pricing promotion."
Trade-ups for FileMaker Pro 2.0 for Windows, all priced at $99,
are available to users of the following database software products
through August 15, 1993: Access, FoxPro, Approach, PFS
Professional File, Q & A, dBASE, rBASE, Reflex, PC File, Paradox,
and Alpha Four.
(Wendy Woods/19930401/Press Contact: Kevin Mallon, Claris,
408-987-7227; public info 408-727-8227 or 800-544-8554)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
****FCC Reregulates Cable TV 04/01/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- The FCC approved
rules implementing the Cable Reregulation Act of 1992, which
sponsors said would mean a rollback in rates.
Cable operators have prepared for the new rules by creating new
"enhanced basic" tiers of service, with popular channels like CNN
subject to extra charges. Basic service now consists of only the
local broadcast stations and public affairs networks like C-SPAN,
which cost the industry nothing. Other channels, like CNN, which
charge less than a half-dollar per month per subscriber, are now
part of the "enhanced basic" package.
The anger of consumer groups grew in the days before the FCC
vote when it was revealed that last year, during debate of the
new cable bill, the Bush Administration passed-off data from the
industry's trade group, the National Cable Television
Association, in assessing the possible impact of the act. A
Commerce Department report last year claimed the act could
actually cost consumers over $50 per year, but the agency's
inspector general recently admitted that the data came directly
from the NCTA. The Bush Administration was firmly opposed to the
cable bill, and the President's veto of it was the only one of
his term to be overridden.
The new pricing formula is aimed directly at the "expanded tier"
concept, settling a maximum price for each basic cable channel
based on its cost to the operator. Consumer advocates were
calling for a 30 percent rate rollback, saying that rates are 30
percent lower in areas where competition exists than in areas
where the cable operator is a monopoly. The NCTA, however, fought
the expansion of regulation to its enhanced tiers, saying the
bill was aimed only at those 5 percent of operators charging the
highest prices. The group also argued that rate reductions would
hurt cash flow, hampering their moves to invest in 500-channel
systems or expand into carrying phone signals, for instance.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930401/Press Contact: FCC Press, 202-632-
5050; NCTA, 202-775-3629)
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BOS)(00027)
****21st Computer City Opens, $1B Sales Projected 04/01/93
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Tandy
will probably launch a second Computer City in Stockholm this year,
and officials of the superstore chain project $1 billion in US and
European sales for 1994, Newsbytes has learned.
In an interview with Newsbytes at the opening of a new Computer
City in Framingham, MA, John Roche, chairman and CEO of Tandy, said
that Europe's third Computer City will probably be situated, like
one of two existing European stores, in the Swedish capital.
Roche also told Newsbytes that Tandy's fourth Incredible Universe
megastore will be located east of the Mississippi River, unlike two
already established outlets in Portland, OR and Arlington, TX and
another Incredible Universe recently announced for Dallas.
Tandy's combined retail sales from Computer City, Incredible
Universe, Radio Shack, McDuff and Video Concepts were $3.9 billion
in 1992, and are expected to hit $5.5 billion by 1995, he added.
Alan Bush, president of Computer City, told Newsbytes that sales
from Computer City alone will reach $1 billion in 1994. Bush and
Roche both stated that Tandy has chosen the New England region as
a major target market for the US.
The new 25,000-square-foot store in Framingham is the twenty-first
Computer City to be opened worldwide, and the first for New
England. Beyond the new Framingham store, Tandy will open from one
to three additional sites in the Boston area this year, said Roche.
Speaking at a VIP reception last night, Roche noted that Radio
Shack was born in Boston, way back in 1921. He later explained
that Tandy purchased Radio Shack in 1962, when the company had
evolved into a nine-store chain.
Bush, who came to Computer City through Radio Shack, told Newsbytes
that Computer City sites are selected according to the demographics
of the surrounding area, as well as floor space, highway access,
and other characteristics of the building. Demographic
considerations include educational level and installed PC base.
On March 25, Tandy announced plans to open a third store in Europe
outside of the existing locations in Stockholm and Copenhagen,
Denmark that were launched in May. The company declined at the
time, though, to reveal the exact location of the third European
store.
Roche told Newsbytes yesterday that the number of Computer City
stores to be opened in Europe this year will be limited to three.
More, however, will be added next year, he said.
Per Hagklint, director of operations in Europe for Computer City,
was on hand during the Framingham launch to get a first-hand look
at Computer City operations in the US. Haglinkt is based in
Upplands Vasby, Sweden.
The Framingham store is being opened with the same kinds of
extensive festivities that mark the launch of all Computer City
stores.
Last night's VIP reception for the media and local business leaders
was preceded by a reception for the Boston Computer Society the
previous evening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday morning.
At the ceremony, Roche and Bush presented Bob Grenoble, president
of the Boston Computer Society, and Theodore Welte, president of
the local MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, with the "keys" to
Computer City.
The public opening of the store is being held today. Throughout
the festivities, the newly released DOS 6.0 has been on sale for
$39.95, almost $10 less than its introductory price of $49.99.
Bush told Newsbytes that he expected all 5,000 copies of the DOS
package to be sold out by this weekend.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930401/Press contact: Fran McGehee, Tandy, tel
817-390-3487)
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00028)
****Compaq Sales Managers Quit, Some Offices May Close 04/01/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Just a week after
Compaq Computer Corporation announced that it would begin selling
its products through direct mail, four of the company's sales
managers, including the VP of North American Sales, have resigned.
Sales VP Dave Davis is one of the four executives resigning his
position. A Houston Chronicle story says Davis told the newspaper he
decided to resign to spend more time with his family after spending
12 to 14-hour days on plans to revamp his sales organization. "I've
been working long hard hours on the upcoming restructure - that's
pretty stressful when it's a business requirement where good people
are going to be affected. I'm leaving just to pursue a more
leisurely lifestyle," the Chronicle quoted Davis as saying.
Also resigning are Chris Schuneman, South Central region sales
director, based in Dallas; Costa Mesa, California-based Jim Smith,
Southwest region sales director; and Richard Thomas, who headed the
Southeast region from Atlanta.
The newspaper reported that Compaq is cutting back and reorganizing
its sales operations. The group, managed by Davis, is responsible
for training and assisting dealers selling Compaq products in the US
and Canada. Under the reorganization plan, Compaq's direct mail
sales will put them in a position of competing directly with their
dealers.
Compaq spokesperson Bob Beach reportedly told the Chronicle that the
resignations were unrelated to the departure of Doug Johns, general
manager of the PC Division earlier this month, and the termination
last month of David Balck, head of the Peripherals Division. Ross
Cooley, Compaq's senior VP of North America, will apparently replace
Davis on an acting basis.
An unnamed source reportedly told the Chronicle that Compaq is also
planning to close some of its field offices and require some of its
sales personnel to work from their homes. When Newsbytes asked
Compaq spokesperson Mike Berman to verify that report, Berman said
the company would prefer not to comment, but said, "That is a
possibility." Berman said the company has been evaluating its field
support organization for several months. "Out field model is a late
80s model, and this is the 90s. There are a lot of changes we're
considering." He stressed that Compaq's goal is to add value to
customers and continue to support its resellers.
Asked if the sales executives resigned because of the company
entering into the direct sales market, Berman said they didn't. "It
has nothing to do with our direct sales operation," he told
Newsbytes. Berman said the company is not changing its sales
emphasis.
Asked if Compaq is now competing directly with its resellers by
selling through the mail, he told Newsbytes the direct sales
business targets a different market than the resellers. "They (the
resellers) concentrate on large accounts, offering system
integration, volume discounts, service and support, and multiple
brands of products. We're not looking to compete with them. The
direct business targets the small and individual buyer, and those
looking for single unit pricing." Berman said about 7-10 percent of
the buyers buy through the direct channel.
In other Compaq news, the company said it will offer Aldus
Corporation's popular PageMaker desktop publishing software through
Compaq DirectPlus, its direct sales organization. Pagemaker will be
available as part of a system configuration of hardware and software
designed to meet the customer's specific needs; installed on a hard
drive of a Compaq computer purchased through DirectPlus; or as a
stand-alone product. Aldus says it will offer a free upgrade to
PageMaker 5.0 for customers who purchase PageMaker 4.0 between
January 1 and the date version 5.0 ships, including those who buy
through Compaq DirectPlus. Registered owners of PageMaker will be
notified when the upgrade is available.
(Jim Mallory/19930401/Press contact: Mike Berman, Compaq,
713-374-2510)
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00029)
Microsoft Earnings Could Rebound To 50% with DOS 7 04/01/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation's earnings could return to the 40 to 50 percent levels
of the past when DOS 7 is released, probably in mid-1994.
That was the prediction of Goldman Sach analyst Rick Sherlund, who
called Chicago (the Microsoft code name for DOS 7) "the most
significant upgrade that Microsoft has ever delivered." The analyst
projects the 1994 upgrade could generate as much as $1 billion in
upgrade revenues. That's as much as three times the $300 million he
expects version 6 will bring in in the next few quarters, and far
more than the $150 million estimate derived from the 1992 release of
Windows 3.1.
Sherlund repeated Goldman's strongest buy recommendation on the
stock. Microsoft shares jumped four to 91 on heavy volume following
the closed circuit introduction of DOS 6 to what was described as
the world's largest PC users group, which gathered at 20 locations
around the country Tuesday night to watch Microsoft Chairman Bill
Gates and his associates demonstrate DOS 6's features.
Gates reportedly told New York television station CNBC-TV in an
interview scheduled for broadcast last night that he does not expect
the company to be as profitable in the long-term as it has in recent
years, according to the British news service Reuters. "The kind of
profit margin we've had in the past will be very unlikely for us to
achieve in the future," Gates reportedly said in the interview. Gates
was quoted as saying that over the long-term Microsoft will be a
profitable company, but probably not as profitable as it has been.
Sherlund currently estimates Microsoft will earn $3.10 per share in
the fiscal year that ends June 30, 1993, up from $2.41 in fiscal 92.
Since the mid-1980's Microsoft has achieved annual earnings growth
in the 50 to 60 percent range as revenues doubled every other year,
reaching $2.76 million in fiscal 92. However, Microsoft executives
have told analysts that such rates will not continue, saying they
would be comfortable with about half the previous growth rates.
Sherlund said that while earnings momentum may be slow through the
June period, he expects it will pick up after mid-summer.
Gates also said in the televised interview that he doesn't know of
any effort by the Federal Trade Commission to force restructuring of
Microsoft. The FTC has reportedly been investigating charges that
Microsoft has utilized unfair trade practices, although the agency
has never identified the company by name. About the five-year old
patent infringement suit brought by Apple Computer alleging
copyright infringement, Gates said he thinks that will be resolved
soon.
Sherlund reportedly told Reuters that Windows NT will probably not
ship until June or July after its unveiling at the spring COMDEX
show in late May, but called any delay "irrelevant to earnings."
In other Microsoft news, the company says Pete Higgins has been
promoted to senior vice president of desktop applications, a move
Microsoft says reflects the increasing importance of those products
to the company's success. Higgins, 35, was first promoted to VP in
1991 and has reportedly been the driving force behind the strategy,
development, and marketing of key products like Excel, Work,
PowerPoint, Project, and Office. Microsoft says applications revenue
grew to 60 percent of total revenue during the first six months of
fiscal year 1993, exceeding the $1 billion mark.
Higgins said over the next year, Microsoft plans to deliver major
upgrades to each of its desktop products for both the Windows and
Macintosh platforms.
(Jim Mallory/19930401)
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00030)
Creative Sues Aztech Over Sound Card 04/01/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 APR 1 (NB) -- Creative Labs
says it has filed a copyright infringement suit against Aztech
Labs of Fremont, California over alleged similarities between
Aztech's "Sound Blaster compatible" Sound Galaxy and the
Creative Labs Sound Blaster line of products. Both Creative
Labs and Aztech are US subsidiaries of Singapore-based parent
companies.
Creative Labs says Aztech has infringed on its copyrights in
both the hardware and software products it has produced. The
company also charges Aztech reverse engineered its products
which is a process that involves taking an existing product
apart to see how it works to produce a compatible product.
Creative Labs also charges that Aztech's Sound Galaxy products
contain code that infringes on Creative Labs copyrights, and is
derived from software which infringes on its copyrights.
While Creative Labs Chairman Sim Wong Hoo claims the company is
in favor of open systems and common standards, he claims the
suit is necessary because Aztech's products hurt Creative Labs
shareholders by infringing on technology the company spent
money to develop.
Aztech claims it is number two in market share in sound cards
in the world market and has been in Fremont for over a year
gearing up to penetrate the US market. The company's stated
goal is to have thirty percent of the sound card market by
1993, a market estimated to grow to $5 million worldwide in
1993 with eighty percent of the sales expected in the US.
Jamie Copland, vice president of US, Canadian, and Mexico sales
and marketing for Aztech, told Newsbytes Creative Labs and
Aztech have a long history of legal feuding in Singapore, but
in March of this year both companies decided to "bury the
hatchet." However, Copland said suddenly Creative Labs has
filed suit again, but this time in both the US and Singapore.
Copland said Aztech categorically denies all the charges
Creative Labs has levied against the company.
Arnold Waldstein of the US-based Creative Labs told Newsbytes
to his knowledge no suits outside the US have ever been filed
by Creative Labs against Aztech.
Creative Labs filed a similar suit against multimedia hardware
and software manufacturer Media Vision last summer charging
Media Vision had reverse engineered Creative Lab's products in
order to produce its Thunderboard product. Media Vision in
turned filed a suit against Creative Labs charging restraint of
trade, unfair competition, and monopolization. The two
companies announced an out-of-court settlement in October of
last year and Media Vision reportedly paid Creative Labs an
undisclosed sum for a license of the Creative Labs technology.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930401/Press Contact: Benita Kenn, Creative
Labs, tel 408-428-6600, fax 408-437-1886; Jamie Copland,
Aztech, 510-623-8988)