---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SMCC Offers Complete Audio Solution SunFLASH Vol 40 #15 April 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adds Microphone to List of Multimedia-Ready Features MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. --April 7, 1992-- Demonstrating its commitment to offer multimedia capabilities as standard workstation features, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) today announced that it is shipping a microphone with every SPARCstation(TM) desktop workstation. As a result, this popular computer delivers a complete audio solution at no extra cost, including the microphone, built-in speaker, and bundled software for easily playing, recording and receiving audio, as well as sending it anywhere on the network. "We call our approach collaborative multimedia, since it utilizes the various media, such as audio, video, graphics and text, to enhance communication and productivity, not just for individuals but for all users on the network in the entire company," said Bob Pearson, director of interactive media marketing at SMCC. The first SPARCstation, introduced in 1989, was equipped with a speaker. Last September, Multimedia Mail and Audio Tool were introduced as part of the Solaris(R) distributed computing environment, adding even more audio capabilities to the SPARCstation system. Multimedia Mail is an electronic mail tool with audio capabilities. Like Multimedia Mail, Audio Tool appears as a window on the screen, including functions like rewind, play and record. The most recent example of audio capabilities on Sun is the inclusion of a custom-designed, diamond-shaped, miniaturized microphone. In addition, there are more than 30 third-party software applications available for the SPARCstation that utilize audio. Multimedia Mail and Audio Tool Are User Friendly Ease of use was a major requirement for these tools, which need just the click of a button with the mouse to perform most functions. Both tools are tightly integrated via ToolTalk(TM), object-based technology for transparent inter-application communication. Audio Tool is invoked auto- matically by ToolTalk from Multimedia Mail. The user can easily record and play back a message before sending it on to others as an electronic mail attachment. In addition, third-party developers can use Audio Tool and ToolTalk, saving the time it takes to incorporate audio within their applications. Audio Applications Enhance Group Productivity As the industry's leading vendor of client-server systems, SMCC focuses on providing multimedia capabilities that will enhance productivity throughout the workgroup and organization, both in business and technical environments. Sun SPARCstation users can add or listen to voice annotations within electronic mail or documents. For example, an important area is concurrent engineering, in which voice-annotated drawings or designs can be sent across the network for review by others. This audio application demonstrates the increasing integration of telephone functions within computers and also shows how collaborative multimedia will be applied in the workplace. With a SPARCstation system and available software, users can perform a wide range of sophisticated tasks, such as teleconferencing, text-to-speech conversion, shared whiteboards, computer-based training, and creating voice-annotated compound documents including spreadsheets, database information, graphics, video and other media. Experts in the multimedia field believe that making audio a standard part of a computer -- a practice that is not common among workstation vendors -- is an important step in bringing multimedia to the masses. "Every computer should come with speakers and a microphone," said Chris Schmandt, director of the Speech Research Group at the MIT Media Lab. "And within five years, every computer will." Desktop Multimedia Capabilities The SPARCstation platform has many standard features that are necessary for high-quality multimedia in a networked environment. These include high-resolution graphics (8-bit color), built-in networking (Ethernet) and large screen displays. These systems have a built-in CD-ROM interface, an important inclusion, since multimedia applications will increasingly be contained on this high-density medium. Available as an add-on is VideoPix(TM), a low-cost still frame video capture board and software that allow users to capture and share video images across the network. In addition, there are more than 100 third-party multimedia applications available for the Sun platform. Pricing and Availability The new microphone is available now for all new Sun SPARCstation customers, included at no cost with each workstation. For existing customers, the microphone may be purchased for $29 (U.S. list) from SunExpress at (1-800-USA4SUN). Multimedia Mail and Audio Tool are part of OpenWindows` Version 3, now being shipped with every new Sun system. PR contact: Sun Microsystems Computer Corp. Leiann Lee (415) 336-0597 Product Marketing contact: Sun Microsystems Computer Corp. Paul Singh (415) 336-2072 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.