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***Metabyte and 3Dfx Interactive Team for Stereoscopic Game Viewing (November 13)
Metabyte, is using its Wicked3D eyeSCREAM stereoscopic eyewear with 3Dfx Interactive to promote an immersive 3D gaming experience.
Details of the display and pricing were not announced.
***Response to Portables and Education Story (November 13)
Our story in 914.9 Education & Training - Portable Computers Help Students sparked a response from Peter N. Glaskowsky at MDR.
In the story was the statement:
Laptops help students apply more problem-solving and critical-thinking skills."If they use Office, they're definitely going to have a lot of problems to solve, and they'll certainly learn to be critical."
We agree.
***Satellite TV Surpasses 10
Million
(November 12)
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) announced that there are now 10 million home dish owners in the United States. The announcement follows 10 months of strong satellite sales, with the Direct-to-Home industry adding more than 1.6 million subscribers thus far in 1998. The current record number of 10,044,000 satellite TV subscribers reflects the growing popularity of home dish ownership, which continues to attract thousands of new subscribers daily. The breakdown of U.S. satellite homes is as follows:
4,165,000 subscribers to the DIRECTV/U.S. Satellite Broadcasting service;
1,709,000 subscribers to the EchoStar DISH Network;
2,207,000 PRIMESTAR customers; and
approximately 1,963,000 large-dish C-Band system owners."The fact that viewers in nearly one in 10 television households in the U.S. are now watching some form of satellite television is a testament to the stunning level of consumer acceptance that we have achieved in a short period of time," said Eddy Hartenstein, president of DIRECTV.
The first small satellite dish service launched in 1994. The number of home satellite dish owners in the United States has increased by more than 400 percent in the past four years.
DTH Subscriber Growth
Nov. 1994 2,399,000Nov. 1995 4,169,000
Nov. 1996 6,048,000
Nov. 1997 7,903,000
Nov. 1998 10,044,000
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (SBCA) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the home satellite industry.
***QSound Labs Announces Q3D 2.0, QMSS and QSurround (November 13)
QSound Labs is releasing three 3D audio technologies: Q3D 2.0, QSound Multi-Speaker System (QMSS), and QSurround for headphones.
Q3D 2.0 is the second-generation predecessor of the Q3D positional 3D audio rendering technology. Q3D was first introduced in 1991 and has been incorporated in arcade, PC, and console games. Q3D 2.0 includes the following - QSound Environmental Modeling (QEM) and multi-speaker playback.
QEM, a reverberation engine compatible with the Environmental Audio Extensions (EAX) API from Creative Labs, considers how sound interacts with environmental elements such as room acoustics, position of players and sound source. Q3D 2.0 has been incorporated into generation chipsets offered by VLSI and Trident.
The QMSS technology is a stereo-to-surround algorithm designed to create surround-sound from ordinary stereo content such as CDs and stereo-based games. Unlike ordinary stereo surround systems that merely copy the stereo signal in the rear channels, the QMSS algorithm actually "steers" acoustic images to create an effective surround experience. QMSS has consumer application in car audio, home theatre and PC/multimedia products. The first implementation of QMSS will be featured in the ThunderBird PCI audio accelerator, currently marketed by VLSI.
QSurround for Headphones creates "virtual speakers" in a "virtual room," QSurround reproduces the full surround sound effect of multi-channel audio so that surround-encoded movies and music can be enjoyed through a set of headphones.
***Chromeffects Back to Development (November 13)
Microsoft has announced that the schedule for Chromeffects has been pushed out to an undefined date. The reasons give, based on the SDK feedback, inlcuded the following:
· Tighter integration with the document object model
· Better support for data visualization technologies
· Better synchronization with proposed standards like HTML + Time
· Improved quality and performance of 3D device drivers that are available today
***Portola Dimensional Systems Supports Microsoft SQL Server 7.0
Portola Dimensional Systems will debut its Coronado as a front end to Microsoft SQL Server 7.0. Coronado is a visual data analysis and presentation tool that provides SQL 7.0 users with the ability to see their data in animated graphical format, taking the business application of visual computing technology beyond static spreadsheets or pivot tables and visually depicting patterns and trends in their data.
Coronado is a visual computing product to bring graphics technology to the desktop. It is designed for business professionals who need to make fact- and data-based decisions, whether they are in finance, management, sales or any other field. Coronado increases the effectiveness of multidimensional databases for understanding and sharing results; users explore their data in multiple formats to uncover relevant relationships often hidden in static, 3D graphics or analysis products.
Coronado runs on Microsoft Windows 95,Windows 98 and Windows NT. Pricing begins at $395 per user. Coronado ships complete with 30-day maintenance and an ATI XPERT '98 graphics accelerator board.
***NeoMagic's 256-Bit Multimedia Accelerator Gets HP Design Win (November 13)
NeoMagic announced that the MagicMedia256AV multimedia accelerator has been incorporated into the new HP OmniBook 4150.
***STB Gets into Motherboard
Business
(November 13)
STB Systems has annouced the T-100MMR motherboard. In addition it also announced DesktopVCR and DesktopTV.
The T-100MMR motherboard offers 3-way AGP 2X support and supports processor speeds ranging from 266MHz to 500+ MHz. The T-100MMR is based on the Intel 440BX chipset and will support Intel Celeron, Pentium II and Katmai processors. System memory for the T-100MMR can be expanded up to 512MB. The graphics subsystem features the NVIDIA RIVA TNT graphic processor and 8MB of SDRAM video memory along with STB's high-performance video drivers and software utilities.
The DesktopVCR combines an onboard TV tuner and DVD player with the ability to support external video or audio sources, and ties them together with STB's VisualReality software package. The DesktopVCR puts the tools and capabilities found in digital video editing systems into a solution for personal computers.
DesktopTV is a 125-channel cable-ready tuner that allows users to view TV shows on their desktop PCs. Another model features an FM tuner that adds the ability to play FM radio through your PC speakers. DesktopTV is a plug-and-play PCI device that requires no additional video cables and is certified by Microsoft Hardware Qualification Labs (WHQL) to work with Windows.
***AT&T Adopts RealNetworks RealSystems G2 (November 13)
a2b music, AT&T's online music delivery system, announced an agreement with RealNetworks whereby the a2b music player will incorporate RealSystem G2 streaming media technology. Users can sample streamed songs prepared with a2b music's compression technology. In addition, a2b music products using RealSystem G2 technology will be licensed to third parties such as artists, labels and other copyright holders of music.
a2b, an Internet marketing and technology company, provides for secure digital audio distribution. As the exclusive provider of AT&T Labs technologies for Internet delivery of secure digital music, a2b music also makes its compression, mastering and security software available through a licensing program. Since its launch in November 1997, a2b music has been selected to create cross-media promotions for recording artists such as Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Tori Amos, Garbage, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, Counting Crows, The Verve Pipe, Dave Stewart, Joe Walsh, SWV, Rocket From The Crypt and Gravity Kills.
***Avant! Signs A $16 Million Vdsm Design Solution Agreement With Broadcom (November 12)
Avant! announced that the company has entered into a $16 million multi-year agreement with Broadcom Corporation. The purchase includes Avant!'s entire suite of very deep submicron (VDSM) circuit design and process modeling tools to develop the system on chip solutions that will power the digital communications of the new millennium.
Broadcom has agreed to purchase Avant!'s Planet-PL physical floor planning software and Apollo place and route technology that concurrently optimizes area, timing, power and noise, Saturn's hierarchical optimization, Hercules' hierarchical physical verification capability, Mars' power and cross-talk design qualifications, and Star-RC's 3D extraction features for the most accurate design analyses. These products comprise key components of Avant!'s SinglePass RTL design flow. All the SinglePass tools operate on a common database, Milkyway, for the highest efficiency and management of VDSM design complexities.
Under the terms of the agreement Broadcom will be licensed to use Star-HSpice and Star-Sim, Avant!'s high performance logic simulation tools, RTL design analysis tools, and fast synthesis technology. In addition, Broadcom will benefit from 3D net extraction capabilities of Raphael-NES contained within Silicon Early Access (SEA).
***The Computer Museum History Center to Lease Land at NASA Ames (November 12)
The Computer Museum History Center announced that it has a commitment from NASA Ames for a 20-year lease on two acres of land at Moffett Field. The History Center plans to use the land at NASA Ames to construct a building to house its collection of computing artifacts-the world's largest. In addition, the facility will serve as a public museum and research center for the study of computing history. The time frame for underwriting and completion of such a facility will be five to seven years. The cost is estimated to be $30 million -- $15 million for the building and exhibits and $15 million for an endowment. A search for an architect is underway.
NASA Ames is in the process of signing an agreement with the cities of Mountain View and Sunnyvale to establish the independent, non-profit California Air and Space Center (CASC) Foundation Board. The CASC will convert the giant dirigible hangar, historic Hangar 1, into a dynamic technology learning center and aerospace exhibition area. The land committed to the Computer Museum History Center is near Hangar 1.
"The Computer Museum History Center, along with the CASC, will bring two world-class research, technology and educational endeavors to Ames Research Center at Moffett Field," said William Berry, Deputy Center Director.
***Motorola announces ReFLEX Chipset (November 3)
Motorola introduced a complete chipset and software solution that enables personal wireless communication and telemetry applications to be integrated into computers, consumer devices and industrial equipment. In order to provide a complete air-interface-to-baseband solution, Motorola has teamed with Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, TriQuint Semiconductor, Maxim Integrated Products, and Diablo Research Company,. In conjunction with these companies, Motorola has created all of the necessary hardware and software, development systems, and RF-to-host integration resources required to enable manufacturers to easily integrate wireless data functionality, "air mail", into products.
The deployment of two-way wireless messaging networks continues rapidly in the U.S. and abroad with infrastructure now in place to support wireless air mail applications. These ReFLEX two-way networks can provide the same ubiquitous coverage and reliability the industry has come to expect from FLEX one-way paging networks, currently serving over 40 million customers worldwide.
A common barrier to deploying wireless data applications is lack of expert RF engineering resources. To overcome this problem Motorola has licensed to Diablo Research , a leading RF design consultancy, the ReFLEX platform and has provided to Diablo extensive training. Diablo, in turn, can provide applications engineering and design services to OEMs and VARs who are developing integrated wireless applications. With Diablo, ReFLEX chipset customers will have a resource experienced in solving the tough electromagnetic compatibility issues raised by combining a radio into a high-speed digital environment.
Motorola's wireless air mail and telemetry technology includes a ReFLEX chipset that consists of two subsystems: A single chip ReFLEX codec, integrating hardware and software resources, including the ReFLEX Stack driver software, and a complete RF chipset that implements the transceiver (transmitter/receiver) subsystem. The ReFLEX codec, manufactured by Texas Instruments, handles all aspects of the ReFLEX protocol encoding and decoding. The transceiver subsystem, which comprises the forward channel receiver and the reverse channel transmitter, includes the following integrated components:
· RF Down-Converter Mixer: Made by TriQuint Semiconductor, this extremely low power (one volt) gallium arsenide device converts the carrier to the first IF.
· Band-pass A/D Converter: Made by Analog Devices, Inc., this Sigma-Delta modulator device converts the IF signal from analog to digital.
· Frequency Synthesizer: Developed by Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector, this dual loop IC generates the receiver's first and second oscillators, the 6.144 MHz transceiver clock, as well as the RF carrier for transmission.
· Quadrature Modulator: Made by Texas Instruments, this device performs the I/Q modulation, transmit and receive oscillator buffering, frequency doubling, and PA pre-amplification.
· Power Management Chip: Manufactured by Maxim Integrated Products, this programmable power management device regulates and supplies the transceiver and codec voltages as well as cell charging circuits.Expected pricing and availability for each of these components will be announced by the respective companies. Motorola plans to make an application development board available for hardware and software integration in the first quarter of 1999.
The ReFLEX protocol, utilized by Motorola's ReFLEX codec, is the world's first two-way paging protocol that enables two-way paging and confirmed message delivery. The ReFLEX protocol enables paging carriers to deploy advanced messaging applications while providing them with efficient frequency reuse capabilities. Frequency reuse enables messages to be sent directly to a specific messaging device on a local network that constantly tracks the device users, rather than requiring a wireless broadcast across a nationwide paging network just to locate a single paging device.
The FLEX protocol, created by Motorola, is the global de facto standard for high-speed paging. It has been adopted by 18 of the top 20 U.S. service providers, as well as by market-leading providers in Canada, Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. The FLEX protocol is the national standard for high-speed paging in Japan and Korea, and is also a national standard in India and Russia. In addition, it has been adopted by China's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) as its nationwide high-speed paging standard and it is included in an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Recommendation. FLEX protocol-based operators are in all of the world's top ten largest paging markets. There are over 160 FLEX technology-based systems in commercial operation in 36 countries, which represents 93 percent of the world's paging subscriber base.
***Cirrus Logic Announces Crystal TV Encoder DACs for DVD Players & Set-Top Boxes (November 3)
Cirrus Logic announced two new Crystal multi-standard TV encoder DACs (digital to analog converters) .
The new mixed-signal chips (CS4954 and CS4955) specify video quality and features, along with multi-format video output capable of driving all NTSC and PAL standard television sets . The CS4954 and CS4955 devices are identical with the exception that the CS4955 includes Macrovision revision 7.01 anti-taping output protection.
The CS4954/55 devices have six independent 10-bit DACs. The DACs are software-configurable, enabling all popular output formats of video: composite, S-Video, component or RGB. For home theater applications, the new encoder DACs deliver the high quality RGB or component output demanded for video projectors and premium grade TVs.
The CS4954/55 devices are equipped with an enhanced luminance mode called "Super Black/Super White" which is used in conjunction with a Pluge test pattern to properly calibrate the output brightness level of DVD players or set-top boxes. This mode can paint videophile-grade images with deeper blacks and brighter whites as desired.
The CS4954/55 devices feature set includes:
· register-selectable video waveform adjustments and filtering options;
· wide-screen signaling;
· copy generation management system (CGMS);
· optional progressive scan;
· VBI data encoding and closed captioning;
· multi-standard teletext generationThe packaging is 48-pin 7mm x 7mm TQFP.
The CS4954/55 encoders are available in sample and production quantities now, and each device is offered at under $3.00 each in 100,000 unit quantities.
***I2O SIG Announces Availability of 1.5 Specification (November 4)
The I2O Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the availability of version 1.5 of the I2O specification to all industry product developers.
At no cost, registered developers will be able to access and download the specification from the I2O SIG web site or request a hardcopy for a minimal charge. The I2O specification is an open, standards-based approach to the design of intelligent I/O subsystems, eliminating the need for operating system-specific drivers.
Registered developers of the specification are now able to access the SIG site, license the use of the specification, download the specification, or request a hardcopy to be sent to them for a minimal charge. They will also have access to a SIG registered developer licensee web page to stay abreast of I2O SIG news and information.
The I2O SIG, with 135 current members, is a working association of member companies committed to the design, promotion, maintenance and extension of the I2O architecture. The I2O specification provides an open, standards-based approach to the design of intelligent I/O subsystems.
Companies interested in joining the I2O SIG or obtaining more information about the I2O SIG, the I2O specification or the activities of I2O SIG working committees, may contact the SIG at 404 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA 94118; phone 415/750-8352; fax 415/751-4829, or visit the I2O SIG web site.
***Ameritech to Direct Automotive Network Traffic (November 5)
Ameritech announced that it will interconnect service providers on the Automotive Network eXchange(ANX) network, a secure, Internet protocol network service.
Ameritech is the only company to directing messages from different service providers across the network, and offer access to it. ANX network uses service providers to connect suppliers to an exchange point, where e-mail messages, files, parts orders and computer-aided designs are directed to the right destination.
Ameritech will interconnect other certified service providers who want network access and direct messages across it.
In September, Ameritech rolled out its AutoVAN service, which provides business customers with complete managed access to the ANX network. The ANX network was developed by the AIAG, a nonprofit trade association of North American vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, in cooperation with ANX overseer Bellcore, to enable suppliers and automakers to communicate with each other on one secure, business-quality network service.
***Hewlett-Packard announces ChaiServer and Chai Developer Kit (November 2)
Hewlett-Packard announced, under the umbrella of its new Chai product-family name, the availability of ChaiServer and Chai Developer Kit for embedded-systems developers. Using these products, developers will be able to exploit World Wide Web protocols to build applications that create user-to-appliance and appliance-to-appliance interaction via the Web.
HP ChaiServer is written completely in the Java programming language and is deployable in any environment that supports HP ChaiVM or other virtual-machine implementations that comply with the Java virtual-machine specification.
ChaiServer uses the World Wide Web's URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to identify and directly access individual devices and their applications. This makes it possible to access a device and its services via any browser, or to call these services programmatically. Further leveraging Web protocols, all communication is done over HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol). With ChaiServer, there is no need for techniques such as Common Gateway Interface (CGI-Bin). The ChaiServer product suite also includes a set of Chailets for the following:
· application loading and unloading; -- event notification; and-security management.These Chailets can be used as separate applications or can be used within the Chailets developed by others. The ChaiServer model also allows for simple integration with applications supporting common object component models such as COM and CORBA. ISVs and device manufacturers can create their own value-added Chailets. The Chai Developer Kit facilitates Chailet development. Available free over the Web to developers through Feb. 2, 1999 are the following:
· ChaiServer invocation specification-for developers who want to build their own URL/HTTP-based Web server for appliances;
· evaluation versions of the ChaiServer and Chai Developer
Kit; and
· sample Chailets.ChaiVM Version 2.0
HP also announced the availability of its ChaiVM 2.0 for the embedded-appliance community. ChaiVM 2.0 adds support for graphical user interfaces and enhanced permissions-based security. ChaiVM is a virtual machine that complies with the Java Virtual Machine specification. HP ChaiVM 2.0 allows for Java-language-based logic mobility in embedded appliances, making it more cost effective to write, extend and update embedded applications. For example, by building their applications to the ChaiVM, an ISV can write downloadable applications that could execute on a family of appliances, regardless of operating system or CPU differences.The ChaiVM 2.0, ChaiServer 2.0and Chai Developer Kit are all available from HP . Pricing is customized. The ChaiVM also is available from ISI, Lynx, QNX, Microware, Microsoft, Aplix and Enea OSE for their operating systems and from HP for other environments.
***Microware Systems Strengthens OS-9 RTOS Support for Intel's StrongARM Processor (November 3)
Microware Systems announced that OS-9 real-time operating system (RTOS) and PersonalJava for OS-9 now offer full support for Intel Corporation's high-performance, low-power StrongARM microprocessor. The StrongArm microprocessor is being targeted for use in handheld consumer appliances, interactive set-top boxes, digital televisions, communications equipment, point-of-sale terminals, PC-like industrial automation systems and data/storage management systems. These devices allow information and data to be shared between computer systems and devices via wireless, Internet, or traditional data networks.
Microware's OS-9 provides multimedia and networking capabilities that take advantage of the performance of the StrongARM microprocessor. The additional power management capability of OS-9 furthers the development of applications with specific low-power requirements.
Additional OS-9 Features Include:· The toolset of OS-9 / Hawk, including profiler and compilers, effectively exploit the StrongARM instruction set.
· OS-9's cost of ownership is claimed to be the lowest in the industry.
· OS-9 provides user interface options to allow flexibility. User interfaces can be designed as an extension of the application instead of being confined to an existing desktop paradigm.
· OS-9's history of use in deployed multimedia applications further extends development options for StrongARM OEMs.
***Microware Systems Provides Solution for Hitachi SuperH (November 3)
Microware Systems announced their OS-9 real-time operating system (RTOS) and PersonalJava for OS-9 now supports Hitachi's SuperH microprocessor family. Hitachi provides the industry with one of the broadest ranges of system solutions for industrial automation, Internet appliances and embedded applications.
Microware's OS-9 for SuperH contains sample drivers for Hitachi's SH-3-based SH7709 development hardware and the Yamaha YGV618 graphics card. This enables customers to port OS-9 to custom hardware implementations easily. Microware is initially targeting the SH-3 microprocessor to launch the OS-9 SuperH product line. Microware plans to support other members of Hitachi's SuperH family as reference hardware becomes available.
The 32-bit SuperH RISC technology maximizes the ability to integrate systems due to its small CPU core. The SH7709 chip achieves a top clock speed of 80 MHz, a performance level of 80 MIPS and incorporates 8 Kbytes of integrated cache. This structure supports sleep, standby, and module standby low power modes for fine-grained power management.
***Liquid Audio Unveils Proprietary Watermarking (November 2)
Liquid Audio announced that it has developed a digital watermarking technology to meet the needs of the music industry for preventing music piracy on the Internet. The new Liquid Watermark, which is part of the new Liquifier Pro version 4.0 encoding software, provides performing rights agencies, record labels, music publishers, recording artists and composers with a simple way to identify, authenticate and protect their musical recordings and other audio-based intellectual property.
Unlike other watermarking systems that were designed to work with uncompressed audio, the Liquid Watermark was designed from the ground up to work with encoded audio formats like MPEG AAC and Dolby Digital, as well as linear audio.
The new watermarking technology was developed to withstand real-world conditions like multiple generations of digital-to-analog conversion, data compression, signal processing, voice-overs and radio broadcasts. The information contained in a Liquid Watermark cannot be removed without destroying the recording. To make sure sound quality was not compromised as a result of watermarking, extensive listening tests were conducted with trained audio professionals. In every test, not a single engineer was able to reliably detect any coloration or artifacts as a result of the watermarking process. The Liquid Watermark was inaudible under all conditions, including silent passages in a music recording.
***Audio Explosion Launches Secure Digital Music Solution (November 2)
Audio Explosion, an Internet music company creating consumer solutions for distributing music over digital networks, has begun business. Audio Explosion supports secure distribution of music to an expanding new class of electronic playback devices using MP3 audio. Audio Explosion announced strategic relationships with three pioneering consumer electronics manufacturers who are creating MP3 compatible portable digital players. The new devices, the Mpman manufactured by Saehan Information Systems, the Rio manufactured by Diamond Multimedia, and the MPlayer manufactured by Pontis GmBH, define a new type of consumer electronics product akin to an Internet walkman. These devices offer true digital music portability, with CD-quality sound, virtually no moving parts and no skipping or flutter.
Audio Explosion is addressing the piracy, copyright and sound quality concerns of the record industry while at the same time developing compelling end-user solutions. Audio Explosion's "digital songs" can be played back on the computer through its media player or away from the computer on portable digital players. Audio Explosion's solution employs a proprietary file format that is designed for compatibility with any compression scheme, including the ubiquitous MP3 standard. Audio Explosion also incorporates a proprietary payment solution that streamlines the user's purchasing process.
Audio Explosion will make digital songs available to music fans through its web site, mjuice.com, which will be launched later this month. Music will be available from a variety of artists and genres, including hip-hop, alternative rock and acid jazz.
Audio Explosion is a start-up company based in San Francisco dedicated to leveraging the power of the Internet to create new markets for music and new experiences for music fans.
***MacroRadio-Dot-Net Offers Local Internet-Only Radio Stations (November 5)
The Eclectic Radio Company introduced two new Internet-only radio stations created specifically for local markets as part of its MacroRadio- Dot-Net Internet Radio Network. Now, listeners in Denver and Boulder, Colorado, can enjoy Internet radio tailored to their communities at boulder.gogaga.com and denver.aminoradio.com.
ERC's local stations are also attractive to the largest advertising base in the country: local businesses. By coupling radio with the direct marketing of the Internet, ERC's stations help local businesses reach a select demographic and create web and foot traffic in retail or service businesses.
The stations feature local music and editorial programming, interactive resources, and sponsor tie-ins, from concerts recorded live at local venues to discounts at local record stores and extensive links to local websites, including 24-hour webcams. More than half a dozen local independent businesses, including Bart's CD Cellar, Club Music and Fashion, 8 Days a Week Digital Imaging Center, ListenUp and Macedon Mediature are charter sponsors.
ERC: The Eclectic Radio Company, LLC is a two-year-old Boulder, Colorado-based company creating branded, targeted Internet Radio stations using a unique hybrid format that combines the editorial style of public broadcasting with the commercial mode of the Internet. ERC's first station, GoGaGa Brand Radio, has grown to be one of the most popular Internet-only radio stations, now enjoying more than 100,000 listeners per month.
***53.5 Million U.S. Adults Use Internet, According to Mediamark Research Inc.'s (November 5)
Approximately 53.5 million U.S. adults -- 27% of the adult population-currently use the Internet, according to the Fall 1998 Cyber Stats report from Mediamark Research. The previous Cyber Stats report, issued in May of 1998, showed that 43.6 million adults had used the Internet in an average 30-day period. This means that regular Internet usage increased by 23% between the two Cyber Stats reporting periods.
Some 72 million American adults have access to the Internet, according to the Fall Cyber Stats. This is up 16% from the number who had access during the previous reporting period.
The Fall Cyber Stats data are from an average 30-day period within the survey time frame (September 1997-August 1998). The survey time frame for the Spring 1998 Cyber Stats was March 1997-February 1998.
Cyber Stats reports are issued twice a year. The Key Fall Cyber Stats findings include:
· The number of adults with access to the Internet represents 37% of the U.S. adult (age 18+) population, or some 72 million people.
· MRI estimates that the total number of adults who have used the Internet over the past 30 days at 53.5 million.
· At-home usage of the Internet had trailed the workplace until two years ago. Now at-home usage exceeds the workplace by 28%. Some 35.3 million people are estimated to have accessed the 'Net from home versus 25.5 million from work.
· Men still use the Internet more than women (52.5% vs. 47.5%), but the growth rate of women has been steadily rising while male use has been declining since 1995. In 1992, when MRI began tracking Cyber Stats, male adults were clearly the dominant users of the Internet, encompassing 64% of the audience.
***GT Interactive Reports Second Quarter and Six Months Operating Results (November 2)
GT Interactive Software announced operating results for the second quarter and six months ended September 30, 1998.
Net revenues in the second quarter were $116.2 million, a four percent decrease compared to the same period last year. The shortfall in the quarter was due to the delay in the release of Duke Nukem: Time to Kill for PlayStation, into the Company's third fiscal quarter.
Operating income before depreciation and goodwill amortization was $6.2 million for the second quarter. Net income for the quarter was $1.4 million, or $0.02 diluted earnings per share, compared to $8.5 million or $0.12 per share in same period last year.
For the six months ended September 30, 1998, revenues were $232.5 million compared to $223.7 million in same period last year. Operating income before depreciation and goodwill amortization was $13.6 million for the six-month period. Net income for the six months was $3.2 million, or $0.05 diluted earnings per share, versus $13.0 million, or $0.19 per share, in the same period last year.
Ron Chaimowitz, chairman and chief executive officer said, "Our strategy of building our internal studios and brands continues to demonstrate our transformation into a content-driven entertainment publishing company. For our second quarter, 44 percent of our front-line publishing revenues were derived from internally created products. These important brands include Nickelodeon's Blues Clues from Humongous Entertainment and Rogue Trip for PlayStation from SingleTrac."
Chaimowitz added: "We head into the holiday season with strong contenders in each market segment. We are experiencing strong sales demand in the third quarter for the recently-released Duke Nukem: Time to Kill-which most retail accounts are reporting as a top five PlayStation game - as well as for Deer Hunter I and II, our record-setting interactive hunting franchise. In addition, we are also pleased with reorders of Blues Clues and continued worldwide sales of Unreal. We anticipate new 'casual' market PC titles like Joy of Cooking, based on the NY Times best-selling cookbook; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, based on the popular holiday film; and African Safari Trophy Hunter 3D, will also perform well later in the third quarter. We will also expand our Oddworld franchise with the sequel launch of Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus for PlayStation and PC, and our first Game Boy title, Oddworld Adventures."
***Real 3D Introduces StarFighter VCAM (November 2)
Real 3D announced the introduction of the StarFighter VCAM, a low-cost color digital camera that comes bundled with a StarFighter graphics board.
The StarFighter VCAM is ideal for a variety of desktop PC video applications, including video conferencing, video chat, video e-mail, and video capture/edit. The StarFighter VCAM will be shipping in volume by the end of the month.
The list price for the StarFighter VCAM including StarFighter AGP 8MB graphics board is $229; the list price for the VCAM with StarFighter PCI 16MB graphics board is $329. Real 3D is offering a $20 mail-in rebate on all StarFighter VCAM purchases made through 1998 in the United States.
A variety of software comes bundled with the StarFighter VCAM, including:
· Internet Phone by VocalTec, video phone and video chat software;
· IVisit by IXL, video conferencing software;
· MediaStudio Pro Video Edition by Ulead, video capture and editing tool;
· VideoGram Creator by Alaris, video e-mail software;
· PhotoSuite II by MGI Software, photo editing software for creating greeting cards, calendars, posters, and photo albums;
· NetMeeting by Microsoft, videoconferencing tool; and
· AT&T Worldnet Service, one of the leading Internet service providers.
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