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***4th International Conference on VSMM98 (Virtual Systems and MultiMedia): FutureFusion
Check out this conference to be held in Gifu, Japan from 18 - 20 November 1998.
http://www.vsmm.vsl.gifu-u.ac.jp/vsmm98/
***Worldwide Cellular Subscribers to Break 300 Million Mark (November 9)
The global cellular telephone population will break the 300 million subscriber barrier by the end of the year according to Global Mobile, the semi-monthly newsletter published by Baskerville Communications.
In the second quarter of 1998, there were 22.3 million net cellular additions. This compares with the 22.0 million posted in the first quarter and 15.2 million posted in the second-quarter 1997. Should subscribers continue to grow at the same rate in the second half, relative to 1997, it's anticipated that there would be 63 million net additions, which would, in turn, take the global total to 312 million.
However, given the economic slowdown, and the probability that the crisis will finally impact Asia, which continued to grow rapidly in the first half, the year-end total is likely to be closer to 300 million. With 7.5 million net additions, Western Europe took 33.7% of the second quarter growth. Much of this growth is driven by prepaid services which are taking 30% to 40% of net additions in a number of markets.
Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) picked up 24.1% of the net new subscribers, followed by North America (14.3%), Japan (11.4%), Latin America (6.6%), Central and Eastern Europe (3.4%), Africa (3.2%) and the Middle East (3.5%).
For a detailed global breakdown on subscribers or more information on these and other mobile developments, contact Mark Newman at Baskerville (UK) at + 44-171-299-4500, or visit their company website at:
***Microsoft and Sonic Foundry Announce Beta Release of Content Creation Tool (November 9)
Microsoft has announced Microsoft Windows Media On-Demand Producer which has been released for public beta testing. This was codeveloped by Microsoft and Sonic Foundry and will be included with the Microsoft Windows Media Technologies streaming media platform.
Features of the Windows Media On-Demand Producer include:Windows Media On-Demand Producer is an authoring tool for encoding WAV and AVI files into the ASF file format for playback by Windows Media Player. The application incorporates a visual production environment that allows media placement and manipulation, and provides encoding of media files at varying data transfer rates, ranging from low-speed dial-up connections to high-speed broadband connections. In addition, the tool simplifies the process of integrating video into a Web site by generating HTML pages with the embedded Windows Media Player. The combination of Windows Media On-Demand Producer and the Windows Media Technologies platform makes it easier to create and distribute content as streaming media.
Windows Media On-Demand Producer incorporates technologies from Sonic Foundry's audio media products. The application includes audio and video visual tracks, marker and command inserts and edits, and basic batch processing for simple and efficient encoding. Video effects include brightness and fade controls, as well as video preview windows to give developers fine-grained control over the encoding process. Sonic Foundry's audio processing capabilities are also incorporated in the form of controls, resulting in crisp, clear audio at low data rates.
More information can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/.Windows Media Player is available for free download at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/download/The beta release of Windows Media On-Demand Producer is
available for free download from the Microsoft Web site at
http://microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/tools/odproducer.aspThe final release of this encoding tool is expected in early 1999 and will be a no-charge addition to the Windows Media tools available today on the Microsoft Windows Media Technologies Web site.
***EAI Announces PreVIEW to VisView Migration Program (November 9)
Engineering Animation announced a migration program for the over 100,000 current users of Rosetta Technologies' PreVIEW and Prepare software.
Now through the end of this year, PreVIEW and Prepare users can be converted to enhanced EAI VisView licenses which include 3D visualization capabilities for no additional charge. With the ability to take advantage of EAI's full spectrum of VisProducts solutions, former PreVIEW customers will be able to easily upgrade and personalize solutions to address all their product visualization and digital prototyping needs.
In November 1997, Rosetta Technologies was acquired by EAI. Over the past year, Rosetta's PreVIEW and Prepare technology has been integrated into EAI's VisProducts family of visualization and digital prototyping solutions. The result is EAI's VisView, a tool for viewing 3D assemblies, 2D drawings, documents and product structure.
***Autodesk To Show 3 New Products
(November 9)
Autodesk has announced and will be showing at 3 new products at COMDEX:
-Actrix Technical software for diagramming.
-AutoCAD LT 98, for professional, 2D drafting which integrates with integration with AutoCAD software; and
-AutoSketch Release 6 software, the latest version of Autodesk's 2D precision drawing software for conceptual drawing and sketching.Actrix Technical software will be available in the U.S. and Canada at an estimated street price of US$349 from most software retailers, catalogs and corporate resellers, Autodesk Systems Centers (ASC) or Authorized Autodesk resellers.
AutoCAD LT 98 software, available since October in English, is available in the U.S. and Canada at an estimated street price of US$489 through software retail stores, Autodesk Systems Centers, Authorized Autodesk Resellers and Distributors, or direct from Autodesk.AutoSketch Release 6 software has an estimated street price of US$99 through retail, mail order and direct channels.
http://www.autodesk.com/autocadlt
http://www.autodesk.com/actrix
***VR Center Announced in California
(November 11)
Prosolvia and Orange County Community College District have announced a Virtual Reality Center. This will focus on Virtual Prototyping, Development, Training & Educational Applications. It will be located at the Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, Calif.
Prosolvia has developed seven VR centers in the U.S. and more than 15 VR centers worldwide, with customers including Chrysler, NationsBank and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. VTEC's primary users will be Orange County businesses, faculty and students.
VTEC will initially focus on training, project and product development within the medical, architecture, auto design and entertainment industries. Its first customer will be Dream Quest. VTEC is building a VR simulation of the world's fastest 1,000-passenger cruise ship. Construction of the actual ship will begin in 1999 and the launch will take place in 2001. Like the Boeing 777 aircraft, this will be the first ship built entirely via computer simulation. The Dream Quest ship design utilizes state-of-the-art military technologies and specifications, creating the ultimate around the world cruise experience. The ship's unique features include: an onboard helicopter, marina that unfolds from the stern of the ship, six-deck waterfall, outdoor amphitheater, 12 Harley Davidson motorcycles, a 30-foot offshore race boat, and a revolving space ship restaurant with an outdoor deck 140 feet above the ocean. During Phase 1 of the project, VTEC will create an interactive VR presentation that Dream Quest will use to recruit additional investors and long-term corporate and residential customers.
During Phase 2, VTEC will use Prosolvia's virtual prototyping, styling and design software technology to analyze, verify and modify the design of the ship. Phase 3 will enable customers to truly experience the virtual ship - users will be able to board the ship and visit the staterooms, restaurants, and other facilities, complete with furniture and textures.
VR applications at VTEC include:
--driver training;
--corporate-based simulation training and development;
--interactive multimedia for simulating visual,
--tactile and other sensory perceptions in real-time for architecture and urban planning;
--digital plant simulation;
--medical scenarios so that medical students can train to "perform or assist in an operation" in realistic conditions with no risk to a patient, as well as for patients to become familiar and comfortable with a procedure prior to surgery;
--military, aviation and/or aerospace training to simulate maneuvering an expensive tank or flying a costly plane with none of the risks of loss; --and virtual product design and virtual prototyping applications including a virtual theme park complete with Ferris wheel and roller coaster!
***Diamond Announces Monster 3D Promotion (November 9)
Diamond Multimedia announced its participation in 3Dfx Interactive's promotion and new prices for its MEGAMonster gaming solution. The MEGAMonster allows users to run two Monster 3D II graphics accelerators in a Scan Line Interleave (SLI) mode.
Current Monster 3D II owners can upgrade to MEGAMonster direct through Diamond's On-line Store at
http://www.diamondmm.com/products/current/megamonster.cfm#store for a U.S. estimated retail price (ERP) of $149 for the 12MB configuration and $99 for the 8MB version.The MEGAMonster SLI board must be of the same memory configuration as the original Monster 3D II graphics accelerator and is designed to operate only as a companion board. Additionally, the MEGAMonster add-on board is only compatible with another Diamond Monster 3D II accelerator and cannot be combined with any other Voodoo2-based board.
New Monster 3D II customers who want the MEGAMonster can purchase the Monster 3D II 12MB accelerator for a U.S. estimated retail price (ERP) of $199.95 or the 8MB Monster 3D II for $149.95 and apply the $50 mail-in rebate to either board. This makes two Monster 3D II 12MB boards for $300 or two 8MB Monster 3D IIs for $200.
The National Research Council of Canada is hosting a Series of Seminars in November on Virtual Environment Technologies (VET)
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has announced its commitment to create a Virtual Environment Technologies (VET) Centre. The VET Centre is planned to be in place at the Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI), London, Ontario for mid 1999. The VET Centre will be the nation's only centre focused on the deployment of virtual reality (VR) solutions into the private sector. The VET Centre will help companies maintain a competitive advantage.This industry event will show the future of manufacturing. Virtual Reality in Manufacturing in conjunction with the VET commitment.
The seminars in November are focused on VR applications for specific audiences. Each seminar will address the role of VR as it relates to the target audience. Live demonstrations will show that VR is ready for production. During the seminar attendees will be given the opportunity to provide feedback on the VR solutions that are most useful.The schedule and target audience for this event are as follows:
November 16 Architecture, Engineering and Construction
November 19 Discrete Product Manufacturing
November 23 Science and Research
November 24 Automotive
November 25 Aerospace
November 26 Process Industries
November 27 MedicalEach seminar takes place from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The seminars are taking place at:
National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI)
800 Collip Circle
London, ON, N6G 4X8
Tel (519) 430-7000To attend contact:
Ellie Withers, NRC
Tel: (519) 430-7066
Fax: (519) 430-7064
E-mail: ellie.withers@nrc.ca
***Cable & Wireless USA Introduces Consumer Internet Service (November 9)
Cable & Wireless USA announced its entry into the consumer Internet service market. Cable & Wireless Internet Xperience (CWIX), is dial-up Internet service that offers a range of products, services and pricing.
The launch of CWIX represents Cable & Wireless' move into the consumer segment of the Internet business. Competitively positioned against other dial-up products, CWIX offers customers 150 online hours, plus a free personal home page, all for one low monthly fee of $14.95.
Additionally, when customers sign up for CWIX, as well as for Cable & Wireless long distance service, they will be able to make calls for seven cents per minute during the week and five cents per minute on the weekends - 24 hours a day.
Customers can sign up online by accessing the CWIX web site or by calling toll free 1-877-GET-CWIX.
***Diamond Releases Cordless Mouse Using Gyroscope (November 9)
Diamond Multimedia announced that it will begin shipping the GyroMouse Pro, a cordless mouse that supports interactive multimedia with PC and PC/TV convergence applications.
Utilizing miniature gyroscopes, the Diamond GyroMouse Pro can be used either on or off the desktop for all desktop applications, including surfing the Internet, checking email, playing games, viewing DVD and giving multimedia presentations. The Diamond GyroMouse Pro an external input device for the PC and features Radio Frequency (RF) wireless control from distances up to 40 feet away (even through non-metallic walls).
Using a standard mouse ball mechanism, the Diamond GyroMouse can be used as a cordless mouse for PCs in the traditional "lean forward" desktop style. Additionally, GyroMouse Pro can be used as a wireless remote control for PCs in a "lean back" style more appropriate for entertainment applications such as Internet surfing, PC gaming and DVD navigation. The Diamond GyroMouse Pro also acts as an advanced pointer for professional multimedia presentations.
The Diamond GyroMouse Pro is based on technology licensed from Gyration, Inc.,a designer of miniature consumer gyroscopes. Gyration holds technology and usage patents on the technology underlying GyroMouse Pro. Unlike an infrared mouse, GyroMouse Pro allows users to move their mouse freely without having to aim directly at an infrared sensor.
The Diamond GyroMouse Pro includes miniature solid-state gyroscopes that sense the motion of a person's wrist and move the cursor accordingly on the screen. Featuring multi-channel radio technology, the GyroMouse Pro uses eight frequency channels to reduce interference and employs sixteen unique addresses for transmission security and so that multiple units can be used within the same room.
The Diamond GyroMouse Pro is available for the PC with support for various operating systems, including Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows 3.x, Windows NT 4.0, Windows NT 3.51 and DOS. The product offers a simple installation process and does not require special software of any kind. It simply plugs into a serial or PS/2 mouse port and uses the Microsoft, Logitech or third party drivers already loaded in a user's PC.
The Diamond GyroMouse Pro retail package includes the two-button cordless GyroMouse Pro, a receiver/recharger unit, a serial port
adapter, an AC power adapter, a user's guide and a quick reference card. The GyroMouse Pro will be available at selected North American retailers and on-line stores. Additionally, the GyroMouse Pro can be purchased directly through Diamond Multimedia's online.The estimated retail price (ERP) of the Diamond GyroMouse Pro is $99.95. For a limited time, an introductory $20 mail-in rebate will be available, resulting in a net price of $79.95.
***Philips Semiconductors Announces 0.35 um Smart Card Crypto Controller (October 27)
Philips Semiconductors announced the P8WE5032, its smart card crypto controller IC family based on 0.35 um technology. The smart card crypto controller family is targeted at multi-service cards and Java cards, including financial transactions, Pay-TV, telecommunications and electronic commerce applications.
The family is also embedded with Philips Semiconductors' 32-bit FameX crypto. Forming the platform for the new family, FameX provides security for consumer applications. It is capable of supporting a flexible key length of up to 4 Kbits and supports different public key algorithms based on modular exponentiation, including elliptic curves. FameX provides one of the fastest solutions available to calculate RSA in a 512-bit key length within 35 ms or a 1024-bit key length within 160 ms.
The P8WE5032 crypto controller family is based on the 80C51 architecture and has twice the core speed of the current family. Its enhanced security features are also made possible by a new fully automated design technique called glue logic, providing resistance against physical attacks. Additionally, dynamic memory protection prevents stored data to be retrieved by hackers using sophisticated visual inspection techniques.
The family features a triple-DES coprocessor, which enables a triple-DES operation to be completed in less than 110us. As a result, the overall time required for a triple-DES operation within a transaction can be reduced by a factor of up to 400. For cryptographic key generation, Philips Semiconductors' Fips 140-1 evaluated True Random Number Generator is also available on all products in this new 0.35 um family.
The P8WE5032 will feature 32 kB ROM, 2.3 kB RAM and 32 kB EEPROM and will enter volume production in Q2 1999 with customer ROM codes accepted from March 1999. Other members of this 0.35 um family will have reduced memory to fit cost-sensitive applications. The first derivative, the P8WE5016, a secured smart card controller with 16K of EEPROM will be available at the same time. A simulator based on the KEIL development platform is available now and tool support based on the Ashling platform using a dedicated emulator chip will be available in January 1999.
***Synopsys Acquires Everest Design Automation (October 27)
Synopsy announced that it has agreed to acquire the privately-held Everest Design Automation. Merging Everest's shape-based, top-level-routing technology-targeted at handling the complexities of SOC - with Synopsys' proven chip design software, services and methodology, Synopsys will be able to offer its customers faster time to market. The business combination will be accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. As a result of the transaction, Everest Design Automation will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synopsys. The transaction is expected to close in early November 1998.
With Everest routing technology added to its tools and design flows, Synopsys will provide engineers with better accuracy and predictability of performance through a style of SOC implementation called design planning. Complete SOC design requires a top level router that is used to interconnect the various circuit blocks, IP, and memories with the chip. The Everest shape based router further aids in solving the problems of deep submicron SOC design through its greater flexibility than today's grid-based routers.
To achieve the most effective block-based design planning flow, the critical technologies of synthesis, timing, placement and top level routing, all must work together in unison. With Synopsys' design planning approach, chip designers will retain the comfort of the Synopsys workflows and toolsets they are accustomed to using to create their chips, no matter how large or complex they are, while also benefiting from faster time to successful silicon. Using design planning, timing effects due to routing will be accounted for and passed back to the top level to produce better synthesis results.
Synopsys has been actively developing products in the design planning area for the last
two years. The company intends to roll out its first design planning product offering
early in 1999 and will include some routing capability using the technology from Everest.
Synopsys will be offering Everest's top level router as a stand alone product. Everest's
capability in routing large SOC designs represents an increase in capability from today's
offerings. The shape-based routing algorithms allow rapid and efficient interconnect of
high-level circuit blocks, cores, memories and IP within a system on a chip, while
simultaneously accounting for deep submicron effects. Synopsys expects to begin offering
the Everest top-level router for sale for this purpose in the first calendar quarter of
1999.
http://www.synopsys.com
***Balisoft's LiveContact 2.0
(October 30)
Balisoft has released LiveContact 2.0 a client-server software package that enables companies to communicate with their online customers via text, voice chat, file sharing, and Web collaboration to facilitate real-time, human service.
This version of LiveContact includes call center integration, enhanced security, and new administration and reporting capabilities including an ACD bridge component and a voice enabled Java client. The ACD bridge, is a result of a Balisoft and NBTel partnership and includes centralized agent management, call distribution, and MIS reporting.
A customer writes a short message describing their needs. An animated queue updates the customer on the estimated wait for the next available representative. On the service side, a dialog box opens to inform the representative that there is a caller. The representative reviews the message and contacts the caller, through text chat, voice, and multimedia collaboration.
LiveContact 2.0 requires a Pentium class PC, Win 95/98 or NT Workstation with an Internet connection, and a 16-bit sound card for voice chat. The product starts at $495 per customer service representative plus server access, with an option to purchase a server at $14,995.
***Corel Computer and Red Hat Software Announce Linux Operating System Partnership (October 27)
Corel Computer and Red Hat Software announced an agreement to bring the Red Hat distribution of Linux to the Corel Computer NetWinder family of thin-clients and thin-servers. Under the three-year agreement, Red Hat will port Red Hat Linux 5.1 and future releases of the software to the StrongARM® processor, the underlying architecture of the NetWinder.
The agreement provides Corel Computer with the right to use the Red Hat distribution of Linux including the Red Hat name and logo on the NetWinder products. Additionally, Corel Computer has the rights to distribute Red Hat CD ROMs and printed documentation manuals to customers.
Currently the NetWinder family is running a custom Linux distribution based on Red Hat 4.2. When available, NetWinder customers will be able to upgrade their systems by either downloading the operating system from Corel Computer or Red Hat, or by purchasing a CD ROM and manual from either vendor. Red Hat Software, Inc. Red Hat Software, Inc., a leading distributor of the Linux operating system, Red Hat builds, maintains and provides technical support for the Red Hat Linux operating system. Linux runs on Intel, Alpha and Sun SPARC platforms.
Corel Computer, a global player in the design and manufacture of high quality thin-client, thin-server and video conferencing products, markets the NetWinder and CorelVIDEO product lines as part of a strategy to merge communications and computing on the desktop. As a vigorous proponent of open standards and vendor neutral technology, Corel Computer has incorporated the StrongARM microprocessor and the Linux operating system into its compact, powerful NetWinder network computing products, which deliver more than 250 MIPS yet consumes a fraction of the power of an average desktop computer. Its CorelVIDEO platform comprises reliable, scalable tools for face-to-face video communications, whether across the hall or around the world. Corel Computer is a separate division of Corel Corporation, an award-winning developer of graphics software and productivity applications.
***RadioLAN Demonstrates Wireless Videoconferencing/Video Telephony Solution (October 26)
RadioLAN announced wireless videoconferencing/video telephony solution that employs video and voice over IP (VoIP).
The company's 10BaseRadio self-managing wireless operating system, which is based on standard IEEE 802.3 10 Mbps Ethernet technology, is the basis for the wireless videoconferencing/video telephony solution. 10BaseRadio delivers the bandwidth required to transmit voice and 30-frame-per-second compressed video, but also complies with the new H.323 standard for multimedia communications over packet-based networks.
In addition, 10BaseRadio complies with all other standard videoconferencing/video telephony products that support the H.261 and H.263 video standards, the H.324 LAN/video standard, and the G.711, G.722, G.723 and G.728 audio standards.
***Pacific Softworks Announces Fusion WebPilot (October 27)
Pacific Softworks announced the introduction of Fusion WebPilot, the first true embedded Web micro-browser for today's specialized, embedded-communication devices.
Fusion WebPilot offers a different approach to the embedded Web browser-a modular approach. Instead of building every possible feature into a browser that is far too large for any embedded designer to use, Pacific Software offers feature modules. The benefit of this type of architecture is size control and speed.
These modules enable developers to enhance the core-browser module of Fusion WebPilot with just the desired effects and enhancements that are required for the project at hand. Modules include e-mail, image processing and a new windowing architecture. Application modules such as FTP, e-mail, and a file system that allows users to create and add security realms is also available.
In addition to this compact design, Fusion WebPilot is also a cost-effective alternative. By paying for just the features required, developers are shaving thousands of dollars off of development expenses.
Fusion WebPilot supports HTML 3.2 with elements of HTML 4.0, HTTP 1.0 and 1.1 with extensions to JavaScript and SSL. In addition, WebPilot is portable across all platforms and any OS environment. Fusion WebPilot can also be placed onto any BSD socket stack such as Pacific Softworks' Fusion TCP/IP protocol suite. Fusion WebPilot utilizes its own file system, which can work seamlessly with any proprietary local file or can be expanded to support a network file system.
The new Fusion WebPilot embedded micro-browser from Pacific Softworks is now available in all markets. Pricing and licensing fees vary, contact Pacific Softworks for further information, or visit its Web site.
Pacific Softworks is a worldwide company with headquarters in Newbury Park, and sales and support offices in California, Europe and Japan. Pacific Softworks has been supplying Internet protocols for the embedded-systems market since 1982.
***CompUSA Debuts Affordable Web site Building Software (October 30)
CompUSA has released software called Primecom QuickSite that enables a user to set up an automatic order taking Web site on the Internet, in less than a day, for $50.
The software uses a digital woman to guide users through the set up and web site building process. A set of pre-designed business specific and generic Web site templates is available as well.
Features include:
· 30 days of free Internet access with AT&T WorldNet Service
· Built-in Browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0)
· HTML Editor (Microsoft FrontPage Express)
· Multimedia Tutorial
· Web site templates
· E-commerce capabilities - shopping cart, product ordering system
· Credit card processing - Secure real-time online automated credit card processing
· Instant hosting
System Requirements:
· Pentium 90 processor
· Win 95/98 operating system
· 28.8 baud modem
· 8MB RAM
· 30MB hard drive space (100 MB recommended)
· 2x CD ROM drive, speaker and .AVI player
· 256 Color VGA or better video
***New Uses for Cookies
(November 2)
Companies often use "cookies" to enhance their Web site in order to target users or provide security for user information updates. But other future applications of cookies have privacy experts worried that, cookies will eventually be able to identify and track users in other ways.
The issue, though is debatable, and is discussed in a report released in March by the U.S. Department of Energy's Computer Incident Advisory Capability. This group studied the effects of cookies. The report showed that cookies are short pieces of data rather than code that can scan users' hard drives and gather personal information on the computer.
Yet, advertisers and direct marketers are developing new ways to target users based on the information gathered by cookies and privacy advocates are worried. This worry has resulted in the development of programs to get rid of cookies. For example, the latest versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer will both allow users to stop all cookies.
Other Web sites also provide information about how cookies work and how to suppress them including:
http://www.cookiecentral.com
http://www3.zdnet.com
http://www.anonymizer.com
***Sun Releases Java Speech API 1.0
(October 26)
Sun Microsystems announced the 1.0 specification of the Java Speech API; a vendor-neutral and cross-platform interface that extends the Java platform to allow for speech recognition and speech synthesis in applets and applications written in the Java programming language. The Java Speech API specifies a single interface for development and deployment of a wide range of speech technology applications on the desktop, in small portable devices and for telephony servers.
The Java Speech API was developed through an open-standards process, with significant contributions from leading platform, speech and Java technology vendors (endorsements from API partners and leading speech technology vendors in addendum). Implementations based upon the Java Speech API are already available from IBM and Lernout & Hauspie; other vendors will release implementations in the near future.
Java Speech API enables developers to create applications for desktop productivity, application management, speech-enabled interfaces for users with disabilities, web page enhancement, dictation and proofreading, and telephony call center applications. In addition the Java Speech API can be used with the PersonalJava and EmbeddedJava platforms to enable speech application development for portable and small computing devices.
In conjunction with this initiative, Sun is releasing the 1.0 specification for the Java Speech Grammar Format. This provides a standard text format for defining grammars for cross-platform, cross-vendor control of speech recognizers.
http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/speech/
http://www.sun.com
***George Lucas's ILM Looks To Expand In San Rafael (October 27)
The Business Wire reports that Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), the filmmaking special-effects company owned by entertainment giant George Lucas, is considering an expansion of its operations in San Rafael.
Although the notoriously reticent ILM declined to speak about its expansion plans, Bob Brown, San Rafael's community development director, confirms ILM officials have talked to the city in general terms about adding office space and developing a more campus-like setting for the company's operations.
Presently ILM leases 13 buildings in the Canal neighborhood on the east side of San Rafael. Though ILM may add office space in the area, "everything has been conceptual to this point," said Brown. "They have not submitted a formal application." Nor has ILM presented the city with any timeline for its possible expansion.
While the city is receptive to discussing an ILM expansion, Brown says City Hall will pay close attention to whether any proposed plans will affect traffic circulation in the area. The city has just completed a major project that has rerouted traffic to a more efficient pattern, and the city will not want ILM's expansion to use too much of the new capacity.
***Visio Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 1998 Results (October 28)
Visio reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 1998. Revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 were $44.2 million, a 41 percent increase over fourth quarter fiscal 1997 revenues of $31.4 million. Net income for the fourth quarter, excluding a pre-tax acquisition related charge of $1.2 million resulting from the acquisition of Kaspia Systems, Inc., increased 54 percent to $9.8 million compared to net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 of $6.4 million. Diluted earnings per share, excluding the pre-tax acquisition related charge, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998 were $0.31 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.20 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, and represented an increase of 55 percent.
Revenues for fiscal year 1998 were $166.0 million, a 65 percent increase over fiscal year 1997 revenues of $100.8 million. Net income for the year, excluding pre-tax acquisition related charges of $9.3 million, was $35.0 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.10 compared to net income of $21.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.69 for fiscal 1997, excluding pre-tax acquisition related charges of $10.3 million.
Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, including the pre-tax acquisition related charge, was $9.0 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.28. Net income for fiscal year 1998, including the pre-tax acquisition related charges, was $28.1 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.89.
The company sold a record 248,000 new seats during the quarter, reaching an installed base of nearly 2.5 million users.
September quarter revenues were driven by sales from the IT market segment in which Visio products enjoy broad market acceptance. Revenues in this segment increased an impressive 99% in the September 1998 quarter as compared to the same quarter in 1997. In addition, the Visio product family continued to be widely deployed through the volume licensing channel which grew 155% in the September 1998 quarter to $12.5 million, representing 28% of total revenue.For the September 1998 quarter, international revenues increased 72 percent as compared to the September 1997 quarter to $17.2 million, representing 39 percent of total revenue. International revenues for fiscal 1998 were $67.3 million and represented 41 percent of total revenues, an 89 percent increase over fiscal 1997 revenues.
***Pixar Announces Third Quarter 1998 Financial Results (October 27)
Pixar Animation Studios announced financial results for the third quarter of 1998 and for the first three quarters of 1998. Revenues for the third quarter of 1998 were $2.5 million compared with $5.3 million for the third quarter of 1997. Net income for the third quarter of 1998 was $867,000 compared with $3.7 million for the third quarter of 1997. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 1998 were $0.02 compared with $0.08 for the third quarter of 1997.
Revenues for the first three quarters of 1998 were $11.2 million compared with $27.6 million for the first three quarters of 1997. Net income for the first three quarters of 1998 was $6.7 million compared with $17.7 million for the first three quarters of 1997. Diluted earnings per share for the first three quarters of 1998 were $0.13 compared with $0.37 for the first three quarters of 1997.
As expected, revenue and earnings declined over the previous year since film revenues from Toy Story, released in 1995, have largely run their course. Pixar's next film, A Bug's Life, is scheduled for release November 25, 1998.
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