[1912] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
IBM PR: IBM Announces Availability of OS/2 Warp 4
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Timothy F. Sipples)
Thu Sep 26 05:40:30 1996
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: 26 Sep 1996 04:29:49 GMT
From: tsipple@vnet.ibm.com (Timothy F. Sipples)
Reply-To: tsipple@vnet.ibm.com (Timothy F. Sipples)
Reply-to: tsipple@vnet.ibm.com (Timothy F. Sipples)
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The Easiest Way to a Connected World
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25, 1996 ... At an event replete with IBM and industry
support, IBM today announced the availability of the OS/2* Warp 4 operating
system solution. Incorporating features like Sun Microsystems' Java technology
and IBM VoiceType* speech recognition software, OS/2 Warp 4 promises to help
transition customers into the era of network computing.
"IBM envisions a future in which people have easy access to the information
they need to work more productively," said IBM Software Group Senior Vice
President and Group Executive John M. Thompson. "IBM's Software Group is
making great strides toward that future by ensuring that our software lineup
assists IBM in delivering to our customers network computing solutions based
on open standards. Today we introduce an exciting new version of OS/2 Warp --
a key member of IBM's entire family of software products."
"OS/2 Warp will protect customers' current investments in client/server
computing, while carrying them into the new model of network computing," said
John W. Thompson, general manager for IBM Personal Software Products, who
joined partners from JavaSoft, Netscape Communications Corporation and Lotus
to introduce the new software. "OS/2 Warp 4 has the system management and
networking capabilities needed to run businesses today. But it also comes with
the hottest Internet and intranet abilities around -- and that will help
customers move into the network computing solutions of tomorrow."
From Client/Server to Network Computing
---------------------------------------
At the core of OS/2 Warp 4 is the fast, manageable and robust OS/2 operating
system that customers have relied upon for years to run their businesses. Not
only has IBM improved the operating system, but it has added additional system
management features and the networking and Internet functionality needed to
connect users to data from just about anywhere in today's scattered business
environment.
"We chose to roll out OS/2 on our customer service workstations and branch
servers for its reliable multitasking and crash resistance," said David
Knight, assistant vice president and manager of client/server technical
services at Trustmark National Bank in Jackson, Miss. "We are excited to
upgrade to OS/2 Warp 4 because of the new opportunities it affords us with
Java** and the Internet."
OS/2 Warp 4 is the universal client in client/server computing. Using OS/2
Warp 4, customers will be able to access data on systems of many sizes, from
peer networks to popular PC servers -- like OS/2 Warp Server, Novell Netware
and Windows NT -- to mainframe systems. OS/2 Warp 4 also incorporates remote
access capabilities, Mobile File Synchronization and Advanced Power
Management, allowing users to take their offices on the road.
OS/2 Warp 4 is also the ideal Internet client. With the soon-to-be-released
Netscape Navigator*** Internet client software for OS/2 Warp, object-oriented
technology and built-in VoiceType speech recognition software, Internet and
intranet users will find going to a Web site as easy as clicking on a desktop
icon representing its Universal Resource Locator (URL) or saying, "Jump to
today's financial news."
But users do not need to be on the Internet to experience its power. OS/2 Warp
4 is the first PC operating system solution to incorporate Sun Microsystems'
Java technology, allowing users to run Java applets and applications
independent of a Web browser on their desktops. OS/2 Warp 4 will come with the
runtime code necessary for running Java applications, a Java developer toolkit
and Java applet samples.
"With OS/2 Warp 4, IBM builds upon its track record of delivering leading edge
enhancements targeted at corporate and institutional customers into its 32-bit
operating system solution," said Frank Dzubeck, industry analyst and president
of Communication Network Architects Inc. in Washington, D.C. "IBM has evolved
the next generation of OS/2 Warp into a premier example of a network computing
engine. Native support for Netscape Navigator and the inclusion of Sun
Microsystems' Java Virtual Machine clearly focuses OS/2 Warp 4 on IT industry
demand for cross-platform application solutions developed on Internet and
intranet standards-based technologies."
"IBM is the first to put support for Java into its PC operating system
solution with OS/2 Warp 4 and we are really excited about that," said
Elizabeth Statmore, vice president of sales and marketing at Sarrus Software,
a leading developer of Java-based scheduling software for enterprise
intranets. "By introducing its customers to Java, IBM is bringing Java to a
large mainstream audience while also giving its customers a significant
time-to-market advantage over those who are still waiting for native Java
support. IBM's commitment to Java will certainly help to establish it as an
industry standard."
OS/2 Warp 4 also comes with runtime support for OpenDoc and support for Live
Objects, providing an open framework for platform-independent re-use of
OpenDoc components. OpenDoc is a robust architecture for creating component
software that can be shared and customized across heterogeneous environments.
OpenDoc's component-based integrated structure allows developers and end-users
to build higher quality applications faster, with reduced costs. With the
ability to run OpenDoc components and Java applications in addition to OS/2,
DOS and most Windows 3.x programs, OS/2 Warp 4 will provide users with
incredible application support.
Easy to Talk To and Easier to Work With
---------------------------------------
OS/2 Warp 4 also allows users to talk to their computers, completely changing
the way people interact with computers and redefining the phrase "ease of
use." Incorporating IBM's leading VoiceType technology in speech navigation
and dictation, OS/2 Warp 4 allows users to execute menu commands and dictate
letters or memos simply by talking to their computers. With the
soon-to-be-released Netscape Navigator for OS/2, which is optimized for speech
recognition, users will be able to explore the Internet with their voices, as
well.
The voice recognition software is speaker independent, meaning the computer
will understand most users without training. The software even recognizes
words in context and executes the correct spelling when it runs across
homonyms, like "to," "too" and "two."
OS/2 Warp 4 also boasts a cleaner and more logical user interface with visual
enhancements like 3-D shadowed icons, 256 color exploitation, an attractive
new system font and the new WarpCenter -- an icon ribbon on the desktop that
combines the best of the Lotus SmartCenter and the OS/2 Warp LaunchPad to help
users customize their desktops, group their applications and check on the
status of their systems.
System Requirements
-------------------
The system requirements for OS/2 Warp 4 will vary depending on options
installed. Minimum requirements are an Intel 486/33 or higher with 12 to 16
megabytes of memory. For speech navigation: Intel Pentium/75 or higher with 16
to 20 megabytes of memory. For speech navigation and dictation: Intel
Pentium/100 or higher with 24 to 32 megabytes of memory.
Installation by selecting options requires 100 to 300 megabytes of free disk
space across user-selectable partitions. An installation of IBM preselected
options requires 200 megabytes of free disk space. Other requirements are a
1.44 megabyte 3.5 inch diskette drive "A," an OS/2-compatible CD-ROM drive, an
IBM-compatible mouse, 14.4 kilobyte or higher modem or network connection for
internet/Intranet access, a supported sound card for speech recognition and
multimedia and a noise-cancelling microphone and adapter for speech.
Packaging, Pricing and Availability
-----------------------------------
OS/2 Warp 4 is immediately available in U.S. English in many countries and is
planned to be available in 28 national language versions by the second half of
1997, beginning with many major European languages within the next 45 days.
The suggested retail price**** in the United States is $249 for first-time
OS/2 customers and $149 for upgrades from previous releases of OS/2. The
incredible value includes OS/2 Warp 4, Lotus Notes Mail 4.1, an application
sampler CD-ROM with light versions of approximately 80 OS/2 applications, and
a CD-ROM with access to hundreds of OS/2 device drivers.
Customers may order OS/2 Warp 4 by calling 1-800-CALL-IBM, or
through a certified IBM Business Enterprise Solutions Team
(BESTeam*) member. For a listing of BESTeam members by state,
customers may access www.software.ibm.com/sw-sell/eudir.html .
For more information about IBM's software products, go to
www.software.ibm.com.
###
* OS/2, VoiceType and BESTeam are trademarks or registered trademarks of IBM
Corp.
** Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.
*** Netscape and Netscape Navigator are trademarks of the Netscape
Communications Corp.
All other product and service names may be trademarks and/or service marks of
their respective owners.
**** All prices are the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Reseller prices
may vary.
For Internet users, IBM offers complete information about the company, its
products, services and technology on the World Wide Web. The IBM home page is
at http://www.ibm.com . The fastest, easiest way to find any information about
IBM software is to go to the IBM Software home page at
http://www.software.ibm.com . The IBM Fax Information Service allows you to
receive facsimiles of prior IBM product press releases. Dial 1-800-IBM-4FAX or
415-855-4329 and enter "99" at the voice menu.
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