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March 20, 1999
News
- Microsoft debuted the final version of their Internet Explorer 5.0 browser this week.
New features in the updated application include a new Internet radio button that lets you
quickly find and listen to radio shows on the web, as well as behind-the-scenes support
for a number of web technologies, including extensions to HTML and XML. Microsoft also
claims the browser is faster, thanks to a new rendering engine. The interface of the
program is very similar to IE 4.0, although there are a few tweaks, such as the location
of certain menu functions.
- Microsoft this week also confirmed that there will be a Windows 98, 2nd
Edition that’s expected to be released this summer or fall. The new version is
expected to have only minor enhancements, including better support for home networking
technologies and high-speed Internet connections such as cable and DSL modems. More than
likely the Shared Internet Connection technology—which sounds like a proxy
server—I mentioned last week in regards to the 3Com/Microsoft co-branded home
networking products will also be included. No word yet on prices, or updates.
- Direct PC vendor Dell this week announced their first sub-$1,000 consumer-oriented
computer system, complete with monitor. The Dimension V333-C is based around a 333 MHz
Celeron processor and includes 32 MB of RAM, 6.4 GB hard drive, an AGP-based ATI 3D
graphics board with 8 MB of RAM, 32x Max CD-ROM drive, 64-voice wavetable audio, 56K
modem, and 15" monitor. A similarly-priced business system leaves out the sound card,
speakers and modem, but includes a built-in 10/100 Mbit Ethernet connection.
- In other low-cost PC news, a company called Microworkz announced a new $299 computer
system they’re calling Webzter. Actually, there will be a line of Webzter at
different prices: another one is expected for $499 and a third for $699. The $299 Webzter
Jr. machine includes a 300 MHz Cyrix MII processor, 32MB of RAM, a 3.2GB hard drive,
56-kbps modem, Windows 98, and Corel WordPerfect Suite 8. The $499 Webzter jumps up to a
366 MHz MII, a 4.3 GB drive, a CD-ROM drive and an 8 MB AGP video card. The $699 Webzter
Sr. offers a 400 MHz K6-2 processor 64 MB of RAM and a 6.4 GB drive. The company’s
web sites says they’ll begin accepting orders for their new machines—which are
expected to ship in April—on Monday.
- Speaking of low-cost systems, Intel next week is expected to introduced the 433 MHz
version of the Celeron processor and systems from a wide variety of vendors should have
systems immediately. In fact, I read some reports that said some companies—such as
HP—plan to have their new systems with the new chips in stores this weekend. The
introduction of this new chip is expected to cut the price of existing Celerons and
Celeron-based systems. In other processors news Intel also announced the Pentium III Xeon
processors, which bring the Streaming SIMD Extensions technology of the Pentium III to the
server market. As with other Xeons, there are versions available with 512K, 1 MB and 2 MB
of onboard L2 cache.
- E-machines is expected to up the ante on their low-end machines by offering a $599
system that includes a 400 MHz Celeron processor, 32 MB of RAM, 2x DVD ROM, ATI 3D card
with 4 MB of RAM and more. Look for these new machines in April.
- At the CeBit computer convention in Germany this past week there were lots of handheld
computer-related announcements, including the introductions of several more Windows
CE-based palmtop computers that offer color screens. Philips introduced the Nino 500,
which is their color version of their existing Nino line. Expected to retail for $499 when
it ships in April, the Nino includes basic voice command software which enables you to
perform certain functions on the device by voice. Casio introduced the E-500 to its
existing E-100 Cassiopeia color Windows CE device. The Cassiopeia E-500, which is going to
be pricey based on the $850 or so suggested list for its Japanese version, adds the
ability to play back MP3 audio files as well as play full-motion video on its 320 x 240
pixel color screen. In related news, the company also introduced the grayscale E-15, which
is half the width of other Cassiopeia and is meant to compete with the slim new Palm V.
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