Conference hydra::amiga_v1

3052.0. ""new" Multi-Media platform (Amiga fighter :^)" by SMAUG::SPODARYK (Binary Throttle) Fri Oct 27 1989 16:27

    Today's buzzword is "Multi-Media"... This article posted for those who
    don't read AMIGA_TECH or PC Week.  If people fall for this marketing
    scheme...  Barnum was right.
    
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Note 2056.0    Amiga-like PS/2 with MS-Windows multimedia software    No replies
FRAIS2::ZIMMERMANN "pollux.usc.edu!papa"             94 lines  11-OCT-1989 06:41
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Path: shlump.nac.dec.com!decuac!haven!uflorida!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!ginosko!usc!pollux.usc.edu!papa
From: [email protected] (Marco Papa)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: Amiga-like PS/2 with MS-Windows multimedia software
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 10 Oct 89 02:30:32 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Reply-To: [email protected] (Marco Papa)
Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga
Organization: Felsina Software, Los Angeles, CA
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Xref: shlump.nac.dec.com comp.sys.amiga:40802 comp.sys.amiga.tech:7750
 
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'
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    all that for only $3999.95 someday soon?  :-)  Reminds me of some
    of Jack Tramiel's old Real Soon Now announcements - they sound wonderful
    but there is always some little problem with reality that prevents
    it from shipping as initially described.
    
    Is that the price point CBM should be aiming their multimedia platform
    at?  I assume that is an aggressive price designed to undercut the
    current leader in that field, Apple (by field I mean the $4000+
    multimedia systems field).
    
    I'd rather CBM ignored that particular $4000+ field.  They should just
    provide the 68030 box and OS support for integrating all those add-ons.
    Then putting together packaged systems would be easy for CBM or
    even dealers to do.  With a price range from under $1000 to whatever.
    CBM has a head start in system integration on Apple and IBM in that
    price range due to IFF and multitasking.
    
    -Dave