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- OS/2 2.0 OPERATING SYSTEM
-
- LAS VEGAS, October 21, 1991 . . . IBM today announced its powerful
- new operating system for the 90s, OS/2* Version 2.0, for delivery in
- March 1992. OS/2 is an advanced 32-bit operating system capable of
- exploiting the dramatic power of 386SX** and higher systems.
-
- This advanced platform offers true multitasking -- concurrent
- execution of multiple applications -- and includes the Workplace
- Shell, an easy-to-use, icon-based graphical user interface (GUI). As
- the integrating platform, OS/2 2.0 is well-suited for environments
- that range from laptop personal productivity applications to sophisti-
- cated networking solutions.
-
- OS/2 2.0 will provide the broadest selection of applications in the
- industry, running DOS, Windows***, and 16-bit OS/2 applications
- unchanged. OS/2 2.0 will also support new 32-bit applications being
- developed by a wide range of leading software developers.
-
- "For ten years IBM has been a personal computer technology leader and
- today we carry forward our investment with the announcement of OS/2
- 2.0," says Joe Guglielmi, IBM vice president and general manager,
- marketing and business development, Personal Systems. "OS/2 continues
- to be central to IBM's long-term personal system and SAA strategy, and
- a key platform for the industry.
-
- "In today's rapidly evolving personal computing environment customers
- require an advanced operating system that protects their investments,"
- continues Guglielmi. "OS/2 is designed to allow customers to exploit
- current and future technologies, such as networking, multimedia and
- object-oriented programming and bring forward their existing applica-
- tion environment."
-
- GRAPHICAL ENVIRONMENT
-
- The Workplace Shell is OS/2's easy-to-use, icon-driven graphical envi-
- ronment, implementing IBM's common user access (CUA) '91 standard. It
- was designed to represent the user's desktop on a PC and provides a
- single interface to manage printers, files and applications.
- Utilizing a simple "drag and drop" approach, users can maneuver files
- quickly without cumbersome keystrokes or concern for the file direc-
- tory hierarchy.
-
- Numerous entertainment, utilities and personal productivity mini-
- applications, such as a Calendar, NotePad, Calculator, To-Do List,
- Daily and Monthly Planner, and Spreadsheet are included.
-
- In addition to the OS/2 2.0 base product, IBM also announced LAN
- Server 2.0 and OS/2 Extended Services, which include Database Manager
- and Communications Manager. The LAN Requester component now will be
- shipped with the LAN Server product. (Editor's Note: See the LAN
- Server and Extended Services press releases for complete product
- details.)
-
- "We incorporated a new development paradigm with OS/2 2.0 and it has
- undergone extensive testing with over 20,000 Early Experience Program
- users providing invaluable feedback that will allow us to deliver a
- product with all the fit, finish and function our customers require,"
- says Lee Reiswig, assistant general manager of Programming, IBM
- Personal Systems. "With OS/2 2.0 we are exceeding customer expecta-
- tions by developing a product that offers exciting quality for the
- 90s."
-
- Based on this customer feedback, IBM will include additional features
- and functions for the first release of OS/2 2.0, such as:
-
- o Windows running side-by-side with DOS and
- OS/2 applications on the same desktop, with the
- ability to cut and paste between applications;
- o 32-bit Presentation Manager technology enabling
- 32-bit applications to run faster than their 16-bit
- counterparts; and
- o New LAN support making it easier to manage a
- network.
-
- IBM also announced that prior to general availability it will begin
- shipping OS/2 2.0 code without the enhanced function in a limited
- availability program to those customers who require this code for
- testing and validation of their production environment. This base
- code will be serviced and supported by IBM until general availability
- of OS/2 2.0.
-
-
-
- ABUNDANT APPLICATIONS
-
- Currently, there are more than 2,500 applications announced or avail-
- able for OS/2 16-bit. With over 23,000 DOS and more than 1,500
- Windows applications available today, there are more than 25,000
- applications available for OS/2 2.0 users to choose from, providing
- the broadest range of applications in the industry.
-
- In addition, over 1,200 software vendors in the U.S. are developing
- applications for OS/2, including commitments of 32-bit applications
- from Lotus, Borland, WordPerfect and Novell. Currently, there are
- more than 500 software vendors developing over 700 32-bit applications
- planned for delivery in 1992. There are also more than 250 develop-
- ment tool products available for OS/2. IBM continues to work closely
- with key hardware vendors to enable OS/2 to run on their PCs.
-
- OS/2 2.0 will be distributed as a single shrink-wrapped package that
- will run on a broad range of IBM and selected IBM compatible systems
- with IBM service and support. IBM also announced a new service
- offering for all users of OS/2 2.0, including:
-
- o Free 60-day support via an 800 phone number; and
- o Technical information and message exchange through a
- bulletin board service and IBMLINK electronic support.
-
- This service can be extended for a nominal fee.
-
- OS/2 2.0 will cost $195, with right to copy licenses available for
- $149 without media and documentation. IBM also announced an upgrade
- price from DOS to OS/2 2.0 of $149, with right to copy licenses avail-
- able for $99. As part of a previous promotion, current IBM DOS users
- can upgrade to OS/2 Standard Edition 1.3 for $99 until December 31,
- 1991.
-
- IBM also will be expanding its authorized distribution channels to
- make OS/2 2.0 more broadly available.
-
- # # #
-
- * OS/2 and Presentation Manager are trademarks of the
- International Business Machines Corporation.
-
- ** Trademark of Intel Corporation.
-
- *** Trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
-