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 Fri, Oct 23 1992 Date: Fri, 23 Oct 92 04:43:42 EDT Message-ID: 10-23 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update Oct. 23-25, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network APPLE DETHRONES IBM: After longer than a decade atop the personal computer industry, IBM has surrendered its throne to industry pioneer Apple Computer. This year, Apple has shipped more than 2 million PCs vs. IBM's 1.9 million. In the third quarter, Apple shipped 785,000 PCs vs. IBM's 589,000, according to International Data, a leading market researcher. (For more, see special Apple package below.) PRODUCT FIGHTS CELLULAR FRAUD: A new software product that combats fraud in the wireless telecommunications industry was introduced Thursday by Computer Sciences Corp. Called FraudBuster, the product was developed by Coral Systems Inc., a Longmont, Colo.-based applications software firm serving the cellular telecommunications market. The product uses artificial intelligence to track subscriber calling patterns. SOFTWARE BALANCES BUDGET: Banner Blue Software Thursday announced the availability of Uncle Sam's Budget Balancer, a free computer software program that lets anyone balance the U.S. federal budget. Users can modify the president's fiscal year 1993 budget with over 300 options. Uncle Sam's Budget Balancer is available to subscribers of two online information services, CompuServe and America Online. FILENET, COMDISCO MAKE DEAL: FileNet Corp., the leader in document-image processing and workflow management software, and Comdisco Disaster Recovery Services Thursday announced an agreement that will provide FileNet users with a disaster recovery solution. In the event of a disaster, service subscribers will be able to access a FileNet system on-site at a Comdisco facility. MITAC INTRODUCES 486 COMPUTERS: American MiTAC Corp. said Thursday it has begun shipping a new line of inexpensive 486 personal computers targeted at home users and small businesses. Prices for MiTAC's new Paragon series of four 486 PCs range from $1,465 to $2,445. The Paragon series includes 25-, 33-, 50- and 66 MHz 486 computers available in desktop, mini-tower or tower-size boxes. LEXMARK UNVEILS COLOR PRINTER: The first IBM desktop color printer that is PostScript-compatible was introduced Thursday by Lexmark International Inc., a former IBM division that became an independent company last year. The IBM Color Jetprinter PS 4079 features a new RISC processor, enhanced color and simultaneous connection to IBM and Apple Macintosh computers. It retails for $3,495. COMPRESSION LABS GETS ORDERS: Compression Labs Inc. Thursday said Westcott Communications, the world's largest business television programmer, has placed orders totaling $2.7 million for Compression Labs's SpectrumSaver Compressed Digital Video satellite broadcast systems. SpectrumSaver encoders and receiver:decoders will be installed in Westcott's health and sciences and law enforcement television network. ACTIVE NOISE WINS PATENT CASE: Active Noise and Vibration Technologies Inc. said Thursday it has successfully opposed a competing patent application by Toshiba of Japan in the Republic of China. The patent application detailed a refrigerator design which incorporated active noise control technology to quiet noise generated by the refrigerator compressor. Toshiba will not appeal the ruling, Active Noise says. BROADBAND TO SHOW PRODUCT: BroadBand Technologies Inc. will demonstrate its video dialtone equipment on Wednesday as part of the Federal Communications Commission National Consumer Week exhibit. The company will show its Fiber Loop Access System, which provides fiber optic transport to the home for local telephone exchange carriers. The exhibit is being held at the FCC building in Washington. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON APPLE: APPLE GROWS QUIETLY: Most industry experts were surprised to learn that Apple has swept by IBM in personal computer sales. "If you walked out on the street and asked any five reasonably informed people the first company to come to your mind in PCs, it's not Apple," says Dick Shaffer, publisher of the Technologic newsletter. "Most people don't realize how (Apple's) share of the market has grown." IBM EMERGED WITH `ACORN': Apple, created in 1976, led the industry for five years. Then, in August 1981, IBM introduced its first PC, dubbed the "Acorn," and quickly overtook the industry. As recently as 1990, IBM was clearly ahead: IBM shipped 3 million PCs that year while Apple shipped only 1.7 million. Last year, IBM shipped 2.9 million vs. Apple's 2.5 million. Apple has shipped more PCs this year than IBM. CLONES HURT IBM: In 1987, lower-cost competitors entered the market in droves. They began to mimic the features of IBM's PCs in low-cost boxes. Apple was hurt, too. But it reacted by rolling out $1,000 Macintosh classics in October 1990, and its shipments exploded. Apple also introduced Powerbook portables and sales have already reached 400,000 a year. IBM SEES PROFITS FALL: IBM's slow PC sales were a major reason for its poor showing in the third quarter, when operating profit tumbled 50%. IBM still has the fourth quarter - and several new hot PC lines - to make a comeback. "We're well-positioned for 1993," says IBM's Chris Clough. Analysts doubt. "I don't see how Apple will be passed by in the fourth quarter," says International Data's Kim Brown. (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