Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.tech From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: tech Fri, Mar 27 1992 Date: Fri, 27 Mar 92 05:43:21 EST Message-ID: 03-27 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update March 27-29, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network APPLE, SHARP TO TEAM UP: Apple Computer and Sharp said Thursday they are teaming up to develop personal information devices and will launch their first product early next year. The pocket size devices combine the functions of personal computers with consumer electronic devices such as pocket organizers. GOLDIN TO FACE COMMITTEE: President Bush's nominee for NASA administrator faces tough questioning Friday by senators concerned about the growing political climate enveloping the space program. Daniel Goldin, currently vice president and general manager of aerospace giant TRW Space & Technology Group, will face the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. (For more, see special NASA package below.) JAPAN PROBING FIRMS: Japan's Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into alleged domestic price fixing by subsidiaries of four leading electronics companies, Matsushita Electric Industrial, Toshiba, Sony and Hitachi. FTC investigators raided distribution subsidiaries of the four companies over the past two days. FASTBACK PLUS WINDOW UPDATED: Fifth Generation Systems said Thursday that an updated version of FastBack Plus Windows 1.0 compatible with Microsoft Windows 3.1 will be available April 6. Registered users of FastBack Plus Windows 1.0 will automatically receive the 3.1-compatible version by mail. FastBack Plus Windows 1.0 retails for $189. DP ASSOCIATES WINS CONTRACT: A contractor team led by DP Associates of Arlington, Va., has been awarded the United States Air Force Training Technology Applications Program support contract. It has a potential value of $16 million over the next four years. Included in the TTAP contract requirements are technology-based training applications, studies and research and computer-based instruction. SULCUS BUYS SQUIRREL: Sulcus Computer Corporation, a developer of automated systems for the lodging, legal and real estate markets, said Thursday it has completed the acquisition of Squirrel Companies Inc. Squirrel produces touch-screen point-of-sales technology. Squirrel shareholders will receive 256,100 Sulcus common shares, payments of up to $15 million, to be determined by earnings contributions. MISTAKE DRIVES DOWN MARKET: Traders and regulators are concerned about Wall Street's vulnerability in the computer age after a clerk at Salomon Brothers Inc. bungled a huge trade and drove down the overall market. The word on Wall Street was that a clerk working at a computer punched in an order to sell 11 million shares of stock - instead of $11 million worth of shares, as a customer requested. CELLULAR DATA SIGNS DEAL: Cellular Data Inc. says it has signed a non-exclusive license agreement with Trible Navigation, a global positioning satellite vehicle tracking systems manufacturer. "Geographic coverage by the cellular networks provides an ideal medium for creating a nationwide data network to serve vehicle tracking application," said James M. Janky of Trible. SYNTELLECT NAMES NEW CEO: Syntellect Inc. has named Thomas R. Mayer its new CEO, effective April 6. The position was held by S. Thomas Emerson, who will continue to serve as chairman of the board. Syntellect makes interactive voice response systems. They link touchtone telephones with computer-processed vocabulary to help revolutionize the way organizations provide information. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON NASA: GOLDIN EXPECTED TO BE CONFIRMED: Although President Bush's nominee to head NASA, Daniel Goldin, is expected to face pointed questions about the future of NASA, as well as his personal and professional background, he is expected to be confirmed by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. If confirmed, Goldin, 51, would replace Richard Truly at the helm of NASA. SPACE COUNCIL IS A CONCERN: Truly resigned last month under pressure from the White House's National Space Council. "There's this growing question about who's in charge of the space program. There's a concern that NASA is becoming (Vice President Dan) Quayle's project," said David Brandt, a lobbyist for the National Space Society. "The Senate will want to know how much a NASA man Goldin will be able to be." GOLDIN SEEN AS OUTSIDER: Goldin will be asked about his knowledge of NASA. Some NASA officials view Goldin as an outsider, although he began his career at NASA's Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. Following Friday's hearing, the Senate committee will schedule a confirmation vote. The nomination also must be approved by the full Senate. (End of package.) Technology Editor: Ed Kelleher. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM