MONITORS
Monitors are growing larger. The 14 inch monitor, long a industry standard, is being replaced by 15 and 17 inch models. Market share for the 14" monitor has dropped from 50% in 1995 to 41% in 1996 and has an expected market share of 33% in 1997. In 1997, 45% of the monitors sold will be 15 inch and 20% will be 17 inch. 20 and 21 inch monitors are expected to each have about 1% of the market. (Source: PC Today, December, 1996).

THE BODY NETWORK
IBM has patented technology that allows data to be transmitted through the human body. Shown publicly at this year's Comdex trade show, IBM demonstrated how an electronic business card is exchanged from one person to another as they shook hands. Using a portion of the AM radio frequency, data was transmitted through the body from a computer located in the person's sock. The strength of the electronic signals is one-thousandth of the static electricity generated by rubbing a balloon against a sweater. (Source: Wall Street Journal, 11/18/1996).

APPLE
Apple has selected Next as its operating system of the future. Apple has been looking for a new operating system ever since it stopped development of the Copland system in which it had invested US$500 million. Apple officials are confident that they can rapidly modify Next, which is a variant of the Unix operating system, so that it can compete with Microsoft's Windows NT program. Apple is reported paying US$400 million to purchase Next Software, Inc., which was started by Steve Jobs when he was removed from Apple twenty years ago. Steve Jobs will be a "part-time advisor" to Apple. (Source: Wall Street Journal, 12/23/1996).

PREDICTIONS FOR 1997
Here are my fearless predictions for the new year: --Full length movies on DVD CD-ROM disks will be available in time for Christmas. --Memory prices will remain steady throughout the first half of the year. --PCs with Intel's new MMX Pentium chip will be introduced in January 97. --By the end of 1997, the top of the line PCs will feature LCD monitors. --Internet access prices will increase. --Network computers (NC) will be brought to market by some of the biggest personal computer manufacturers.
_______________________________________________________________
Technology Tidbits is published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1996 Jerry W. Price

Return to Archives.