IBM's New OS/2 Warp Opens Worlds of Computing to Users

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 1994... IBM today delivered on its promise to bring the power of its OS/2* operating system to millions of new users. The compact, easy-to-use and value-packed OS/2* Warp made its official debut worldwide today, with major events in New York, London and Sydney.

The third generation of IBM's award-winning 32-bit operating system has impressive new usability features, slimmed-down system requirements and comes with a BonusPak* of more than a dozen popular applications, including easy access to Internet and CompuServe** via the IBM Information Superhighway. IBM also announced that OS/2 Warp will come preloaded on systems from the IBM PC Co., Toshiba, CompuAdd and other PC manufacturers, and that Dell will offer Warp as a preload option to customers when they order PCs.

Warp has all the multitasking, crash-protecting power of OS/2, runs 32-bit and 16-bit DOS, Windows** and OS/2 applications, requires as little as 4MB of memory and will be available in two editions. The product will ship in mid-October for users who already have DOS or Windows, with a list price of $129 and an expected retail price of less than $80. The second, "fullpack" edition, for users without Windows, will be available shortly thereafter at a list price of $199, and expected retail price of less than $130. Both editions will ship with a BonusPak* of popular applications.

"If you're not using Warp, you're not getting the most out of your PC," said Lee Reiswig, president, IBM Personal Software Products. "We've improved a time- and market-tested product, giving customers more features at a greater value without giving up any of OS/2's power. The product's ease of use and small memory requirements make it attractive to mobile users, medium and small businesses, and home users. For PC users, Warp is the right product at the right time."

The Internet offering draws on IBM's expertise and networking technologies from several IBM organizations, including PSP, Networking Software, Software Solutions and IBM Global Network, to provide a ground-breaking software and service combination for customers who can benefit from this valuable electronic resource.

For connected environments, OS/2 Warp contains the foundation necessary for customers who need a versatile desktop client.


 * Everyone Gets a BonusPak

A new BonusPak now ships with every copy of the operating system, giving users the immediate opportunity to experience the advantage of native OS/2 applications. In addition to a variety of popular applications, the BonusPak includes a choice of utilities for intuitive access to the Internet and other online services by clicking on the IBM Information Superhighway icon.

Internet Connection for OS/2 includes TCP/IP communications software, Internet access utilities such as Gopher, File Transfer Protocol, Telnet, NewsReader, and a graphical web browser called WebExplorer. The package includes three free hours of Internet access. The web browser, which helps users navigate the Net, will be available for download to subscribers in November. This utility also provides one-button registration and access to the IBM Global Network. CompuServe Information Manager** for OS/2 allows users to access information, book travel, download games, or participate in the many electronic bulletin boards available on this popular online service. Hilgraeve's HyperACCESS Lite** for OS/2, a popular communications product, gives users easy access to a variety of other online services, PCs and mainframes.

"In today's business community, the Internet is as important as the worldwide telephone system and the worldwide postal system," said Harley Hahn, consultant and author of The Internet Complete Reference and The Internet Yellow Pages. "Companies of all types are creating a presence on the Net and many businesses find that a well-connected Internet address is as much a necessity as a fax machine or even a telephone. For such businesses, it is crucial that Internet tools be reliable, easy to use and built into the system software."

A core component of the BonusPak is IBM Works, an object-based suite of applications for word processing, database, charting, graphics, spreadsheet, report writing and personal information management. They are easy to use and maximize the inherent power of the 32-bit OS/2 operating environment.

With FaxWorks*, users can send a fax from within an application or from the desktop. Because the application takes advantage of IBM's System Object Model*, SOM, users just drag documents from an application and drop them on the fax icon for truly simple faxing.

Person to Person* for OS/2 is a real-time, virtual whiteboard which allows up to eight users in different locations to view and revise the same document simultaneously. Without leaving their desks, users can achieve the efficiency, productivity and personal interaction of a face-to-face meeting.

Warp features a one-button install which loads the software, identifies the hardware and configures the system. There also is an advanced installation option for users who want to customize and fine-tune the software to meet specific requirements.
 * System Installation Made Easy

"Installation was a snap," said Robert Malmquist, an electronics specialist in Lincoln, Neb. "Basically, I just turned it loose and let it install itself."

To help users understand what the product can really do for them, Warp provides an online, context-sensitive tutorial with "practice" and "do-it" buttons which reduce learning time. The tutorial can be invoked from anywhere in the operating system or from applications running on it. For Windows users, the tutorial offers a view of OS/2 Warp functions from a Windows perspective, to demonstrate the advantage of working the Warp way.

IBM has made significant enhancements to its acclaimed Workplace Shell* interface. Animated icons give users a visual representation of system operations, and a symphony of new sounds accompanies user interaction with the desktop. The OS/2 Warp LaunchPad, a floating tool bar on the desktop, gives users easy access to often-used applications, which can be launched with a click of the mouse. Users can drag-and-drop application icons onto the tool bar to easily customize it. To reduce desktop clutter, when a folder is opened from within another folder, the parent folder can close.
 * Graphics are Great in the Workplace Shell

"I really like the Warp LaunchPad," said Marc Slifkin of Leviton Manufacturing, Little Neck, NY. "I like the fact that you can archive the desktop and the INI files. You get a lot more options with this, even a command line. It's really handy and helps me work faster. As far as being user-friendly, it's great."

Warp also features a Plug & Play for PCMCIA utility that recognizes which PCMCIA cards are in use. Users can plug in their PCMCIA cards while the system is running and the utility will recognize the card without a reboot. Users also can designate an application to be launched when a certain type of PCMCIA card is inserted. For example, a fax application can be auto-launched when a fax-modem card is inserted.

Mobile users will appreciate the modem output suspension. While working remotely, users can queue up faxes, print jobs and outgoing E-mail for execution when the computer is later plugged in to its connected environment.


 * Multimedia and Games

To make Warp the ultimate games platform, IBM has identified more than 100 of the best-selling DOS and Windows game titles and incorporated settings for each into the base operating system. Games are given a high-performance boost when they run on Warp because the operating system has been optimized for them.

Warp includes the high-performance multimedia support necessary to transform a PC into a television, or a photo-storage system. Multimedia tools include Eastman Kodak Photo CD** support, IBM Person to Person for OS/2, a multimedia viewer, WIN/TV card support, new audio device drivers, Ultimedia Video IN* for OS/2 and industry-leading audio/video synchronization and stretching technology. These capabilities make OS/2 the ideal operating system for CD-ROM-based educational programs and games.

For multimedia application developers, IBM also has included MPEG support, a single DIVE API, built-in Autodesk animation playback support and compressed audio support.

Hardware requirements for OS/2 Warp include a 386SX or higher processor with 4MB of memory. OS/2 Warp will allow OS/2, Windows 3.1 and its updates, Windows for Workgroups 3.1, and DOS applications to run on the same desktop.

With OS/2 Warp, customers receive 60 days of free service by telephone, available every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the customer's time zone. Customers also can receive Electronic Support Services help in problem identification from an 800-number link to IBM Fax Service, TalkLink and CD-ROM packages.
 * Service, Support, Prices and Availability

OS/2 Warp will be generally available in the United States and Canada through IBM dealers, superstores and a variety of general retail outlets by the end of October. Availability dates vary for other geographies. List prices for the products are:
 * OS/2 Warp Version 3 (without WIN-OS/2 code) $129
 * OS/2 Warp Version 3 (with WIN-OS/2 code) $199


 * Trademark or registered trademark of IBM Corp.
 * Trademark of Microsoft Corp., CompuServe Corp., Hilgraeve Corp., SofNet Corp., or Eastman Kodak Co., Kodak Co.