IBM TO RELEASE "WARP" BETA 2

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 9, 1994 ... IBM today announced that its second beta
release for the next version of OS/2, code-named "Warp," will be available
next week.  The second beta release offers more productivity enhancing
features and a BonusPak with applications in a fast, fun, and easy-to-use
environment. The first beta cycle tested performance enhancements and
IBM's new PlayAtWill capability.

Designed for business, mobile and home PC users, Warp Beta 2 combines the
maturity of the OS/2 32-bit operating environment with new features for
mobility and quick productivity, such as simplified installation, reduced
memory requirements, a floating tool bar, animated icons and a more
responsive user interface.

The Warp Beta 2 comes with an applications "BonusPak."  The BonusPak
includes a suite of productivity applications, including IBM's
Person-to-Person real-time conferencing software, and integrated access to
online services.  IBM is making Warp Beta 2 widely available to users who
want to subscribe by ordering from IBM's 800 number or by downloading the
software from CompuServe.

"Warp is loaded with value and is a high performer on notebook PCs, which
will broaden OS/2's market appeal to mobile corporate users, small
businesses and home offices," said Wally Casey, director of marketing, IBM
Personal Software Products division.  "With Warp, Windows users will be
more productive and current OS/2 users will love the speed and usability
improvements."

Customer-Driven Usability

Warp Beta 2 features numerous usability enhancements, including:

 *  Easy Installation - At set-up, users select "easy install"
    and OS/2 automatically handles the complete
    installation, identifying the hardware and
    configuring it to meet specifications. Experienced
    users can select an advanced install that provides
    customization ability.

 *  New Look & Feel - In Beta 2, the user interface, or OS/2
    Workplace Shell, features new colorful animated 3-D
    icons.  For example, an animated folder icon confirms
    visually the status of a folder.  When a user opens a
    folder, the icon opens to show it's active.  Updated
    color and scheme palettes allow users to customize
    their desktops.

 *  OS/2 LaunchPad - Incorporating the principles of a floating
    tool bar, "LaunchPad" provides users with
    single-click access to the applications, folders,
    printers or other objects they use most.

 *  Improved Usability - A new, graphical tutorial designed for
    new or advanced users makes it easier than ever to
    learn OS/2's capabilities. A new comet cursor was
    created for mobile users.  It leaves a "comet" trail,
    making it easy to track cursor movement, particularly
    on LCD screens.  More pointer sets allow for cursor
    enlargement, choice of styles and color selection.
    Other significant improvements have been made in
    screen response time, command and window processing
    and application load time already featured in Beta 1.

 *  PlayAtWill - A new PCMCIA software utility, called
    PlayAtWill, provides plug-and-play capabilities
    today.  The utility automatically identifies the type
    of PCMCIA cards installed, including communications,
    modem, memory, hard disk and I/O cards, and provides
    a convenient graphical status on the desktop.

BonusPak Applications

The Person-to-Person capabilities in the BonusPak include whiteboard data
sharing, with multi-user annotation so that up to eight people can share
images, text, graphics and application window contents in real time, using
different protocols.

The new OS/2 version will support Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 and Windows for
Workgroups 3.x base function on Intel 386 and later machines. Users
interested in participating in the Warp Beta 2 program can either call
800-251-2177 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) for a CD-ROM or diskette version for
$14.95 plus tax. IBM is offering the diskette version for the same price
to encourage beta users to verify the new compression scheme. Users can
also download the beta code from CompuServe's IBM OS/2 FORUM Library (GO
OS/2BETA) and the IBM OS2BBS (OS2PERF2).

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