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 Tue, Apr 7 1992 Date: Tue, 7 Apr 92 05:44:02 EDT Message-ID: 04-07 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update April 7, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network WINDOWS 3.1 UNVEILED: Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates Monday introduced the long-awaited Windows 3.1, which will compete with IBM's more powerful OS:2 2.0 software. Microsoft will unveil an even more advanced operating system later this year, Windows NT. Gates predicted sales 3.1 would reach $3 billion by year's end, double the volume generated since Windows 3.0 was introduced in May 1990. MACS TO BE SOLD AT SEARS: Macintosh computers will soon be available at Sears office centers. "The authorization of Sears office centers will sizably expand the availability of the Apple brand to individuals, small business and home and office consumers and complement current Apple distribution," Bob Puette of Apple USA said Monday. Sears is the nation's third-biggest retailer. It has 60 office centers. NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS PART OF DEAL: Sears office centers, designed to appeal to small businesses and people who work at home, already sell IBM, Toshiba, Cumulus, Laser and Packard Bell Personal Computers. Now, they will sell and service Apple's Classic II, LCII and IIsi PCs, PowerBook 140 notebook computer and StyleWriter printers. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY USED ON BOAT: Digital Equipment Corp. is making it easier for the new crew of the America3 boat to benefit from computers as it races in the America's Cup trials. Utilizing a state-of-the-art speech-recognition system to communicate with the on-board computer, the navigators are able to spend more time concentrating on the race and less time accessing critical data. (For more, see special Digital package below.) QUATTRO PRO DUE OUT IN JUNE: Borland International CEO Philippe Kahn says the new version Quattro Pro for Windows will be out by June. No word yet on Paradox, its leading database software. Despite delays on the new products, Borland still has half the $600 million annual market for database software, which lets personal computers keep track of things like inventory and personnel records. DELL UNVEILS NEW DESKTOP: Dell Computer Corporation unveiled Monday a new high-end desktop computer. Through the use of processor-direct graphics powered by the Intel486 DX2 50-MHz microprocessor, the Dell PowerLine 450DE:2 DGX system delivers high-resolution graphics by directly coupling a graphics subsystem to the microprocessor. Pricing for the new system begins at $5,499. BVC TO LINK TRADE CENTERS: BVC VideoCom and the World Trade Centers Association are collaborating to link hundreds of World Trade Center member sites with a video conferencing system. BVC is developing video conferencing systems which produce images so life-like they give users a sense of "presence" of the remote party, the firm says. The system uses life-size images and high-quality audio, it says. NOVELL SHIPPING NEW ROUTER: Novell Inc., said Monday it is shipping NetWare MultiProtocol Router - Basic, v1.0. A router is a device that allows multiple, independent network segments to be connected together so that all segments appear as one network to a user. The multiprotocol gives an administrator the option of configuring a standalone router, allowing users access to the net without going through a server. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON DIGITAL: SPEECH RECOGNITION USED: Working with Verbex Voice Systems of Edison, N.J., engineers at Digital Equipment have integrated a speech recognition system into America3's existing on-board computer system. The resulting system improves the speed, ease, and reliability with which the computer is used. HELPS RUN MATASAIL: The main purpose of the America3 on-board computer is to run Matasail. Matasail tracks the navigational position, analyzes a data stream from the boat's on-board sensors, offers comparative data on performance, wind and sea conditions, and produces information to help the crew make tactical or sail-trimming decisions in real time. HANDS ARE KEPT FREE: Verbex's speech interface allows crew members to keep their eyes and hands free while still issuing program inquiries and commands to the on-board computer. The navigator designates the various information access "windows" overlaying the Matasail program simply by speaking. Once inside a window, information can also be entered, retrieved or manipulated verbally. (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