papa@pollux.usc.edu (Marco Papa) (10/10/89)
The following is the text of an article by Gina Smith and Steven Burke, with additional reporting by John Pallatto, published in the front page of the October 2, 1989 isssue of PC Week: IBM, MICROSOFT SET STAGE FOR STEREO, VIDEO PS/2 IBM is developing a PS/2 with whiz-bang audio and video capabilities that promises to be the foundation of its multimedia computing environment in the 1990s. A multimedia-enhanced version of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 3.0 is also under development, according to sources close to the project. Tailored to the new PS/2, Microsoft's program will enable developers to create sophisticated multimedia applications for markets such as education, computer-based training, busines presentations, entertainment and adverstising, sources said. Applications may include music videos, animation, talking flowcharts and personnel files composed of videos and voice records of employees, sources said. Moreover, developers will be able to design multimedia interfaces that make existing applications such as databases and spreadsheets easier to use. IBM plans to release by next fall the as-yet-unnamed PS/2 model for less than $4,000, according to sources. Early plans for the Micro Channel 386SX-based machine include a CD ROM drive; a digital signal processor; Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) ports; stereo audio, microphone input and game ports; a music synthesizer; and an internal modem, sources said. The multimedia version of Windows 3.0 will be preconfigured on the hard disk with DOS 4.0, sources said. The Windows enhancements will include an extensive multimedia application programming interface, programming tools and a Apple HyperCard-like batch language, sources said. Microsoft is courting software developers with sample code to convince them to develop for the multi-media environment, according to sources. Developing such applications will be easier than ever, the sources explained, because of the dynamic link libraries (DDLs) that Microsoft is providing in the multimedia extensions to Windows 3.0. Those DDLs include code for creating and editing static and animated graphics; an audio-device interface library that allows users to play and record complex sound tracks and synchronize them with video; search and retrieve routines for CD ROM files; modem support; and a special-effect library for graphics. Although officials at IBM headquarters in Armonk, N.Y., would give no details about the machine, they have committed in the past to bring multimedia technology to the mainstream PC market. Microsoft officials in Redmond, Wash., also declined to comment on whether they are developing a special version of Windows for the multimedia PS/2. However, they have in the past slated plans to extend both Windows and Presentation Manager to run on multimedia hardware. "At the moment, the market belongs to Apple", said Richard Shaffer, editor of the Technologic Computer Letter in New York. But, he said, "IBM is big enough that it can come into the game late and still win". [A picture accompanies the article, with the following headline: Windows Gets a Multimedia Library New Dynamic Link Library Extensions include: Audio-Device Interface Task Manager Animation Metafile Rich Text Bitmap Search Modem Special Effects Resource Manager Sprite ] --- END OF QUOTE My only comment is this: Do you think IBM and Microsoft looked at an Amiga? :-) Dynamic libraries, MIDI, modem port, animation, special effects, audio ports sprites, animation files: I seem to have seen those before :-) Maybe the Amiga is becoming 'mainstream'. Seriously: I truly hope 1.4 comes out SOON. Food for thought, Amiga fans :-) -- Marco Papa 'Doc' -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= uucp:...!pollux!papa BIX:papa ARPAnet:pollux!papa@oberon.usc.edu "There's Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Diga and Caligari!" -- Rick Unland -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=