Why hottest gadgets won't be in Santa's sack
Article Abstract:
The new generation of technology promised by computer companies for the 1996 holiday season will not be available until 1997. In what is becoming an annual tradition, many products promoted at 1995's Comdex computer show as upcoming Christmas best sellers are still in development. Chromatic Research, for example, is still perfecting its promised Mpact1, a media-processing chip which provides different multimedia functions simultaneously. DVDs, which were expected to replace videocassette recorders and CD-ROM drives, have been delayed by copyright disputes and disagreements over technical standards. Analysts predict that without the new technology to attract customers, retailers will have to reduce prices, which are already low. Nevertheless, market researchers anticipate that 1996 holiday season sales will be much stronger than they were in 1995.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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U.S. personal-computer market faces inroads by Japan; Toshiba to offer desktop systems world-wide, Sony several models
Article Abstract:
Japanese personal-computer manufacturers are preparing to aggressively enter the US desktop market, led by Toshiba's planned release of a new desktop line in the US by 4th qtr 1996. Sony, Hitachi and Fujitsu are also expected to target the US PC market, and Japan-based NEC continues to post significant sales in the US. This comes as US PC vendors see their share of the Japanese computer market decline and may result in fierce competition for a share of the diminishing US market. The Japanese firms generally have large profit reserves to leverage initial losses associated with entry into foreign markets as well as leading-edge technology in computer components. Toshiba executives feel the company must generate significant market presence in all segments of the computer industry in order to achieve large-scale success.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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Apple CEO outlines survival strategy; mew markets, reductions in current product lines are slated, Amelio says
Article Abstract:
Apple CEO Gilbert F. Amelio detailed the company's strategic focus in an address to software developers designed to reignite third party support for the flagging computer manufacturer. Apple will concentrate on the development of products for use in Internet applications, working to make the company's Newton personal digital assistant and Pippin information appliance compatible. Apple will also discontinue production of approximately 50% of its Macintosh PC line, redirecting that money toward the development of products for untapped markets. Amelio hopes to restore Apple' profitability through the continued creation of innovative products, but analysts question Apple's ability to emerge from its fiscal 2nd qtr 1996 loss of $740 million in adequate condition.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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