IBM SOFTWARE
                                       
   
         NEXT VERSION OF IBM'S OS/2 WARP TO INTEGRATE JAVA TECHNOLOGY
                                       
   AUSTIN, Texas, April 29, 1996...IBM today announced that the next
   version of OS/2* Warp, code-named Merlin, will integrate Sun
   Microsystem's Java** programming language when Merlin ships in the
   second half of this year. In addition to incorporating a Java-enabled
   Web browser into Merlin, IBM will integrate Java into the operating
   system, allowing it to natively run Java applications and Internet
   applets independent of a Web browser. "Java levels the playing field
   between operating systems," said Wally Casey, vice president of client
   product management in IBM's Software Group. "Because a Java
   application will run on all operating systems without modification,
   developers no longer will have to write to a proprietary API set and
   customers will be able to make buying decisions based on which
   operating system best runs their applications. This development also
   broadens the base of applications that OS/2 will natively support."
   
  Java benefits developers and end users alike
  
   Java integration in OS/2 Warp will benefit both software application
   developers and end users. Merlin will come with a built-in Java
   Developers Kit, as well as the run-time code necessary for a Java
   application to run. Developers will not have to ship their own
   run-time with each application and end users will not have to make
   room for multiple run-times on their computers.
   
   Java integration into OS/2 means that Java applications will run with
   the integrity, reliability and security of the operating system. Java
   integration also means that customers will be able to download Java
   applets, like stock tickers, from the Internet and place them onto
   their computer desktops or embed them into a program, such as a
   spreadsheet or word processor. Furthermore, with Merlin's new
   Internet-aware user interface and built-in speech recognition, users
   will be able to drag Java applets from a Web page onto the desktop and
   then launch them with a double click on the mouse or voice command.
   OS/2 is the only operating system that makes working with Java applets
   this easy. Speech recognition will be available in the following
   languages: U.S. and U.K. English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
   
   
  OS/2 Warp...The operating system for the networked world
  
   Full, integrated Java capability is further proof that OS/2 Warp will
   be the best operating system for today's networked world. Java
   enhancements, combined with Merlin's Internet-aware user interface and
   its ability to connect to any server anywhere as a universal client
   operating system, establish OS/2 Warp as the operating system that
   will connect users from wherever they are to whatever information they
   need.
   
   * OS/2 is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.
   **Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
   All other product and service names may be trademarks and/or service
   marks of their respective owners.
   
   For Internet users, IBM offers complete information about the company,
   its products, services and technology on the World Wide Web. The IBM
   home page is at http://www.ibm.com. The fastest, easiest way to find
   any information about IBM software is to go to the IBM Software home
   page at http://www.software.ibm.com. The IBM Fax Information Service
   allows you to receive facsimiles of prior IBM product press releases.
   Dial 1-800-IBM-4FAX and enter "99" at the voice menu.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   [ IBM home page | Order | Search | Contact IBM | Help | (C) | (TM) ]