IBM and Motorola have achieved "first silicon" on the PowerPC 620
microprocessor. Motorola says general sampling will begin in the se-
cond quarter of 1995 and volume production will start in the second
half of 1995. The PowerPC chip architecture is a result of joint development by Apple, IBM and Motorola
The 620 is the first 64-bit microprocessor for the PowerPC architecture and is compatible with current 32-bit applications. The PowerPC 620 is a 133 megahertz (MHz) chip that uses seven million transistors, has an on-chip secondary cache control, 128-bit wide data bus and multiprocessing capability. It can issue up to four instructions in parallel every clock cycle to six execution units..
It is not yet known if 620-based logic boards will be compatible with the 72 pin RAM SIMMs currently in use by PowerPC computers. The next chip, the PowerPC 630, will offer double the performance of the 620 and is slated to be available by 1997.
Aladdin Upgrades StuffIt Deluxe to 3.5
MacWEEK magazine reported in its October 17 issue that Aladdin 
Systems has unveiled a new version of its flagship compression
program, StuffIt Deluxe. The update is reportedly a fat binary
application with both 68k and PowerPC native code. Speeds are
reportedly five times faster, comparing performance between a
6100/60 and a IIci. The new version supports Macintosh Drag &
Drop, the PowerTalk Mailer, enhanced AppleScript capabilities and will ship with a redesigned version of StuffIt SpaceSaver which now operates invisibly.
After the MacWEEK article appeared, Thomas Haller, "Online Genie" for Aladdin Systems, Inc. on CompuServe, revealed that version 3.5 is not yet available, but when it is, it will cost $34.95 to upgrade to StuffIt Deluxe 3.5, plus shipping and handling ($7 in North America. $25 international). SpaceSaver users can upgrade to SpaceSaver 3.5 for $29.95 (+shipping and handling), or can upgrade to StuffIt Deluxe 3.5 for $34.95 (+shipping and handling). Haller also pointed out that some 3.5 level tools are already available on most online services, including StuffIt Expander 3.5.1 and DropStuff with Expander Enhancer 3.5.1.
Global Village Debuts TelePort Gold II; New Customer Support Numbers
Global Village's TelePort Gold II fax/modem for desktop Macintosh and  
Power Macintosh computers now has the low suggested retail price of
$155. Global Village claims the TelePort Gold II is ideal for customers
in homes, small offices, and college campuses looking for an easy and
affordable, high-speed solution for faxing or accessing online services
and remote networks. The modem includes all necessary cables, GlobalFax software, ZTerm data communication software, America Online software with free connect time, a variety of scripts for Apple Remote Access and online services, and new manuals designed for easy learning and quick reference. It is capable of sending and receiving faxes and data at speeds up to 14,400 bps. And, like all Global Village fax/modems, the new Gold II includes the simple, toll-free, electronic registration that Global Village pioneered four years ago. (A special version of the TelePort Gold II is being bundled with Apple's new Performa 6100 series).
The Global Village Customer Satisfaction Team relocated in October and their new telephone numbers are:
BBS: (408) 523-2403
Fax: (408) 523-2423
Fax Back System: (800) 890-4562
Fax Back System/local number: (408) 523-2402
TDD: (408) 523-2414
Customer Satisfaction Phone Team: (408) 523-1050
The Sales Team is not moving and can still be reached at (800) 736-4821 or (415) 390-8200.
America Online Ships Multimedia Interface
America Online continues to improve. In October, it reduced prices  
(along with Prodigy) and now has started shipping a new multimedia
interface for both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. According
to Newsbytes (October 21), the interface incorporates new image
compression technology that is said to outperform JPEG (Joint
Photographic Experts Group) and other standard compression schemes "by a wide margin." As part of the new interface AOL has added five new departments: Kids Only, Sports, Internet Connection, Personal Finance and Reference Desk. In addition, an updated Post Office Center better handles mail-related functions such as fax, mailgram, and Internet gateways.
