The lead-time between bringing an innovative idea to market and finding that you’re faced with a flood of imitations is shrinking to weeks, and no sooner has Sharp Corp lifted the curtain on its electronic typewriter that doubles as an IBM Personalike (CI No 606) that Olivetti pulls the same trick with its ETV 260 and ETV 500. The typewriters come with 8088 CPU and single keystroke switching between electronic typewriter and word processor modes. Olivetti USA is offering the combination, including keyboard-processor-printer unit with display at $2,199 with 640Kb and two 3.5 floppy drives, and another $1,200 with a 5.25 Winchester. Those who already have an Olivetti typewriter can buy a kit of processor, display and two 3.5 floppies to enhance it for $2,000.
