Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.tech,americast.usa-today.tech From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: tech Wed, Sep 2 1992 Date: Wed, 2 Sep 92 04:30:34 EDT Message-ID: 09-01 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update Sept. 2, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network IBM UPGRADES AS:400: IBM introduced four upgraded models of its AS:400 mid-range computers Tuesday. They include IBM's first storage systems incorporating redundant array of inexpensive disks technology. IBM also announced file servers to enable data connections between AS:400 computers and Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh PCs, the first product resulting from the technology alliance between the rivals. IBM SYSTEMS ARE POWERFUL: IBM upgraded the four-year-old AS:400 Model E90 with four versions of a Model E95. Prices range from $12,000 to as much as $973,000, IBM spokesman Dick Ulland told Bloomberg Business News. The models intensify competition in the field of advanced computers. The systems contain enough power to cover applications done on workstations and mainframes. NASA AIMS FOR SEPT. 12 LAUNCH: NASA set Sept. 12 as the launch date for shuttle Endeavour's seven-day scientific mission, but also said Tuesday the launch from Cape Canaveral may have to be delayed because of a faulty fuel valve. Technicians have been unable to pressurize an oxygen gas line that is part of a quick disconnect valve on the external fuel tank. F-16S TO BE SOLD TO TAIWAN: President Bush is expected to announce Wednesday the sale of up to 150 F-16 jet fighters to Taiwan. The sale, which Congress is likely to support, means an end to longtime limits on arms sales to Taiwan and would save 3,000 jobs in Fort Worth, home of General Dynamics. AST RESEARCH WINS PRAISE: AST Research is winning the praises of investors. One of the initiators of the personal computer price wars, some also expect AST will be one of the firms that will endure it. "They have good products, they just need to put it all together," says Benny Lorenzo, an analyst at Dillon Read. "I think they'll come back and be one of the survivors. But they will have a tough six months." (For more, see special AST package below.) HOLLINGS' AMENDMENT DRAWS FIRE: An amendment in a Senate appropriations bill would threaten the launch of personal communications services in the USA, according to the Wireless Information Networks Forum (WINForum), an alliance of leading information technology companies. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., is in the Senate version of the Federal Communications Commission appropriations bill. SKY RADIO BEGINS BROADCASTING: For the first time in commercial aviation history, air travelers can tune in to news, business reports and weather information live. USA TODAY Sky Radio, the world's first live, satellite-delivered, in-flight audio information service, conducted its inaugural broadcast on a commercial flight Tuesday. It was used on United Airlines Flight 97, which left Newark at 7:59 a.m. ET. M:A-COM GAINS AT&T CONTRACT: M:A-COM Inc. said Tuesday it has been awarded a development contract by AT&T as part of AT&T's work in advancing Personnel Communications Network (PCN) technology. Under the terms of the contract, M:A-COM will design and manufacture a 6 GHz microwave module using M:A-COM's new generation process and manufacturing technologies. HEWLETT-PACKARD CUTS PRICES: Hewlett-Packard cut prices up to 26% on its 386- and 486-based desktop personal computers. HP's Vectra 486U PC series, introduced in May, is priced at less than $1,000. HP also introduced the HP Vectra 386s:25 PC, starting at $1,399. CONSORTIUM GETS $4 MILLION: The Chesapeake Consortium said Tuesday it has been selected to receive a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help develop electric vehicles. The Chesapeake Consortium will spend a total of $9.5 million on an 18-month program. The aim: To develop supplier manufacturing capabilities for the domestic electric vehicle industry. DEC SAYS ADVANCES OVERSTRESSED: Kenneth Olsen, founder and president of Digital Equipment Corp., said the company may have stressed new technology too much in the final years of his control. Olsen, 66, plans to retire Oct. 1. "In the past, we have shown a tendency to concentrate on technology and to follow too many technological paths. We are changing that," Olsen said in a letter to shareholders. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON AST: FIRM WAS LAUNCHED BY IMMIGRANTS: AST Research was launched in 1980 by three immigrant engineers who pooled $12,000 and used their first initials for AST's name - Albert Wong of Hong Kong; Safi Qureshey of Pakistan and Thomas Yuen, also from Hong Kong. It's specialty: PCs that let customers keep up with processing improvements by replacing one circuit board inside the machine while leaving everything else intact. LOW PRICES HELPED AST: AST was one of the first to introduce a low-price personal computer. From January 1990 through mid-April 1991 - a period when IBM and Compaq were hurting - AST stock shot up 436%. But the big guys slowly got wise. As IBM, Compaq, Apple came out with low-price models, AST's profits came under pressure. Yuen was forced out as chief operating officer and board member. NOTEBOOK PCS ARE ON THE WAY: Analysts say AST will make three powerful notebook PCs for IBM when the computer giant announces a line of low-cost machines later this month. AST already makes PCs for other computer companies. But the IBM contract is likely to be a big one. AST recently lured former Apple chief operating officer Del Yocam to its board, and may hire him as COO. (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