IBM and Microsoft Corp have announced specifications said to address developers’ needs for common multimedia application program interfaces and use of data file formats across OS/2 and Windows. A draft is available to developers and the final version will be published early next year. The two key components include Resource Interchange File Format which enables audio, image, animation and other multimedia elements to be stored in a common format, and the second is a Media Control Interface which provides a consistent way to control media devices such as compact disk read-only memories and video playback units. Also, Microsoft has said that the specifications will be used to provide multimedia extensions to Windows and it is releasing a beta version of its Multimedia Development Kit, which complies with the specifications and will include the requirements identified by IBM for image, audio, data formats and file management. IBM is to license the multimedia extensions for OS/2 to Microsoft, and Microsoft will license its multimedia extensions for Windows to IBM. Tandy Corp is also claiming to have played a key role in specifying and promoting the new multimedia standards, and is shipping complete software development systems which are based on the 25MHz Tandy 4025 LX computer. The system provides the necessary processor, random access memory, hard disk and CD-ROM drive, plus video and sound capabilities needed to develop Multimedia personal computer software. Software specifications are based on Microsoft’s Windows 3.0 graphical interface, and extensions are being added to enable Windows to work with audio and video peripherals. Other vendors to announce their intent to deliver multimedia personal computers in 1991 include AT&T, CompuAdd, Fujitsu, NEC Technologies, Olivetti, and Zenith Data Systems, while Headland Technology, Media Vision, and Creative Labs, say they will ship integrated products that will enable end users to upgrade their existing 80286-based personal computers so they can run Windows-based multimedia applications and titles.
