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, May 1 1992 Date: Fri, 1 May 92 05:15:09 EDT Message-ID: 05-01 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update May 1-3, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network MINI APPLE TO BE UNVEILED: At the Consumer Electronics Show later this month, Apple Computer plans to show off its latest advance in personal computers - a one-pound, 6-by-8-inch hand-held device - that easily recognizes handwriting. Available in 1993, prices could range between $600 and $1,000. Analysts who have seen the device - code-named Newton - say it's the biggest advance in computers in years, mainly because of its low price and weight. (For more, see special Newton package below.) SHUTTLE TO RE-DEPLOY SATELLITE: Final countdown for launch of the shuttle Endeavour on its first mission is scheduled to begin by 12:01 a.m. EDT Saturday for launch at 8:34 p.m. Monday. The purpose of the mission is to redeploy a Intelsat communications satellite into a higher orbit. Intelsat was left in a low, useless orbit in March 1990 because of a problem with its commercial Titan 3 launch vehicle. SPACE JUNK CLOGGING UP ORBITS: Extinct satellites, spent rockets and other debris from mankind's space forays are accumulating at a dangerous rate in Earth's orbits, posing an ever-increasing danger to both manned and unmanned spacecraft. "Debris in Earth orbit is no longer merely a conceptual problems. It is ... a very real and growing threat to all space programs," a NASA report released Thursday says. SPACECRAFTS SHOULD BE REMOVABLE: Don Kessler, NASA's senior scientist for orbital debris, says there is a need to equip all new spacecraft with mechanisms that will allow them to be removed from Earth orbits once their missions are completed. While it would be near impossible to clear away most of the debris already in orbit, such steps could keep it at manageable levels, experts say. WANG ADDS NEW LINE: Wang Laboratories Inc. says it has unveiled the Alliance Series, a new family of personal computers designed to be marketed through high-volume stores. They are aimed at home and home-office PC users. The Alliance 760 system retails for $1,799 and the Alliance 750CD costs $2,199. UNISYS LOOKS TO BOOST REVENUE: The chairman of Unisys Corp. said Thursday the computer company's recovery is "clearly under way" as a drastic restructuring takes effect. The next step in the plan is boost revenue, James Unruh said at the firm's annual stockholders meeting. Last week, Unisys posted its second consecutive profitable quarter, and Unruh said "tough decisions" in 1991 are paying off. VIDEO SYSTEM TO PREMIERE: Pacific Bell will premiere its Advanced Broadcast Video Service concept at TEXPO 92. Fiber-optic-based ABVS is a digital service that would replace current analog telecommunications technology for transport of all grades of video, from high-definition television to high-quality videoconferencing. TEXPO 92, Pacific Bell's annual telecommunications exposition, will run May 5-7 in Anaheim, Calif. FEDERATED, IBM TO TEAM UP: Federated Department Stores Inc. and IBM Corporation say they have signed a letter of intent under which the two companies will provide systems applications and solutions to the retail industry. The joint venture will provide merchandising, financial, operations, store management, point-of-sale, credit management and personnel systems. IBM SIGNS WITH SYNCORDIA: IBM has signed a three-year contract with Syncordia Corp. for private network services connecting 10 sites in five countries, Network World reports. The deal, which is worth $10 million per year, shifts about 10% of IBM's European traffic to Syncordia. IBM says it will initially only use Syncordia to support data but will ultimately add voice and video applications. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON NEWTON: MARKET READY TO EXPLODE: Market researcher Dataquest says the market for hand-held computers, which can fit in a pocket but have the power of a desktop PC, is ready to take off. Shipments totaled 122,000 last year but should jump more than 300% in 1992 and reach 5 million units annually by 1996. Apple will unveil its entry into the market, Newton, later this month. It will be available in 1993. APPLE'S PRODUCT WILL BE CHEAPER: Analysts say Apple's Newton device takes a quantum leap over the competition because it is an inexpensive pen-based computer. They have been on the market since 1989, but the least expensive pen-based PCs from several industry pioneers, including Poqet Computer, sell for just under $2,000. At $1,000, Apple's device represents a big cost savings. COMPUTER CAN SEND MESSAGES: Apple's new "personal digital assistant" includes a built-in calendar and address book. Like desktop PCs, it can also send and receive electronic messages to other computers short distances away, says PC Week. Earlier pen-based PCs are used mainly in "check-off" operations, such as when clerks check off a box on a hand-held PC's screen to indicate an order is filled. DETAILS HAVE LEAKED OUT: Much of the Newton project, Apple's long-rumored foray into consumer electronics, is cloaked in secrecy. However, details have been leaking out in computer trade publications. To get a quick start in the market, Apple intends to license its Newton technology to consumer electronics giant Sharp, and other companies. (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