10/07/96 BIG BLUE TEACHES AN OLD SYSTEM NEW TRICKS

BIG BLUE TEACHES AN OLD SYSTEM NEW TRICKS

WANT TO STAND OUT FROM the crowd? You might take a look at the latest version of OS/2 from IBM, called OS/2 Warp 4. It's not Windows, but it does have some nifty new features you won't find in the Microsoft Corp. operating system.
For one, the new Warp will have built-in speech recognition, so you can tell your computer where you want to go today rather than typing in the information or clicking with a mouse. Using simple phrases, such as ``Go to the McGraw-Hill home page,'' you'll be able to navigate the Web hands-free. The same technology allows you to dictate memos, documents, and E-mail.
Warp 4 is also designed to make it easier to surf the Net. It has a built-in Web browser and will let you keep icons of favorite Web sites right on the desktop screen, where, with the touch of a mouse, you can get to the site. IBM has even built in support for Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java. You'll be able to run Java applets, whether you are using a Web browser or not. The operating system will be available on Sept. 25 for $249.
EDITED BY AMY CORTESE