- January 8
- Advanced Micro Devices launches the 850 MHz Duron processor. Price is US$149 in 1000 unit quantities. [1119.19] [1559]
- January 9
- The MacWorld exposition and conference is held in San Francisco. Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs unveils Mac OS X operating system, and a new line of G4 computers with Nvidia Geforce 2 MX graphics processors. [1119.3] [1559] [1595.37]
- At the Macworld Expo, Apple Computer announces the Titanium PowerBook G4 notebook. It features titanium case, 15.2-in 1152×768 pixel display, 8 MB ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics processor, DVD drive, modem and network ports, USB and FireWire ports, 802.11 wireless networking, 128 or 256 MB RAM, 10 or 20 GB hard drive, and 400 or 500 MHz G4 processor. Size is 13.4 x 9.5 x 1 inches; weight is 5.3 pounds; price is US$2599-$3499. [1559] [1595.36] [2605.299]
- January
- IBM introduces the TransNote portable computer, a pen-based ThinkPad that can input text written on paper. [1559]
- Advanced Micro Devices releases 600 and 700 MHz mobile Duron processors. They feature 192 kB cache memory, and 200 MHz system bus. Prices are US75 and US$123 respectively. [1559]
- January 17
- The US Surgeon General’s office releases a report: “Youth and Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General”. It concludes that media influences play a low role in contributing to youth violence. [2347.28]
- January 23
- Microsoft and Sun Microsystems settle their Java lawsuit. Microsoft will pay Sun US$20 million, and is permanently prohibited from using the “Java compatible” trademark on its products. The Sun-Microsoft licensing agreement will be terminated, but Microsoft is permitted to use a version of Java in its products for the next seven years. [1559] [1758.93]
- Transvirtual Technologies releases the PocketLinux operating system for a variety of handheld computers. [1559]
- January 24
- Cinévia Films releases the film Garrison’s Flowers to theaters in France. The film is set in 1991, but a computer store window shows an advertisement for Windows 2000. [2113]
- January 25
- Michael Cowpland resigns from the Corel board of directors. [1140.6]
- January 29
- Compaq introduces the iPaq Pocket PC H3150 handheld computer. It features 206 MHz Intel StrongArm processor, 16 MB RAM, grayscale screen. Price is US$349. [1559]
- January 30
- Intel releases a low-power 500 MHz mobile Pentium III processor. The processor incorporates SpeedStep technology, allowing the processor to operate at 300 MHz when the computer is running on battery power. Price is US$208 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- February 5
- Microsoft announces that Office 10 for Windows will be called Office XP, and that its next Windows operating system will be called Windows XP. The ‘XP’ name is short for ‘experience’. [1559]
- February
- Intel introduces the Ultra Low Voltage Mobile Pentium III processor. It features 500 MHz speed, under 1 volt, under 0.5 watt. Price is US$208. [1707.70]
- Intel introduces the 500 MHz Ultra Low Voltage Mobile Celeron processor. Price is US$118. [1707.70]
- Unit shipments of handheld computers using the Pocket PC operating system pass the one million mark. [1559]
- February 19
- Apple Computer begins shipping the 733 MHz Power Mac with CD/DVD writer. [1559]
- February 21
- At the Macworld Expo in Tokyo, Japan, Apple Computer introduces the iMac Special Edition, available in Flower Power, Dalmatian Blue, or Graphite designs. It features 500 or 600 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 64 or 128 MB RAM, 256 kB Level 2 cache, 8x/4x/24x CD-RW drive, 15-inch monitor. Price is US$1199-1499. [1224.17] [1559]
- At the Macworld Expo in Tokyo, Japan, Apple Computer introduces the new Nvidia GeForce3TM graphics processor for Macintosh computers. [1559]
- February 22
- Poland issues a postage stamp depicting a computer mouse. [2525.373]
- February
- At the Macworld Expo trade show, Steve Jobs and John Carmack debut Doom III. [2347.31]
- (month unknown)
- Inprise changes its name back to Borland International. [52.6] [1559]
- March 6
- Palm introduces the Palm m105 handheld computer. It features 8 MB RAM, PC synchronization docking cradle. Price is US$199. [1559]
- March 9
- Compaq Computer unveils the iPaq H3670 handheld computer. It features 64 MB RAM, Pocket PC OS. Price is to be US$649 when released in early April. [1559]
- Compaq Computer unveils the iPaq H3635 handheld computer. It features Compact Flash slot, Pocket PC OS. Price is US$599. [1559]
- March 11
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. In the year 3000, a computer accesses the Internet, and loads and displays a video clip in a window looking very much like the Apple Computer Mac OS. [1962]
- March 12
- Handspring introduces the Visor Edge handheld computer. [1559]
- March 14
- Sony announces a new version of the Clie handheld computer. It features Palm OS, music file player, Memory Stick slot, 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, 8 MB RAM, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, 320×320 resolution monochrome screen. The unit is set to be released in Japan in April and in the US later this year. [1559]
- March
- Intel unveils a proposal to replace the PCI system bus standard with a “third-generation input/output” technology. (The technology, called 3GIO or Arapahoe or serial PCI, will be adopted by the PCI-SIG in August.) [1559]
- Gateway closes 27 retail stores in the US. [2508.16]
- NCR files a lawsuit against Palm and Handspring, claiming to hold two patents dating from 1987, governing the creation and sale of handheld computing devices. [1121.3]
- March 19
- Palm unveils the Palm m500 handheld computer. It features 160×160 resolution monochrome screen, Palm OS 4.0, lithium-polymer battery. Price is US$399. [1559]
- Palm unveils the Palm m505 handheld computer. It features 160×160 resolution 16-bit color screen, 8 MB RAM, Secure Digital slot, Palm OS 4.0, lithium-polymer battery. Price is US$449. [1559]
- March
- Hewlett-Packard announces a new smaller Jornada handheld computer. [1559]
- March 22
- Advanced Micro Devices launches the 1.33 GHz Athlon processor. Price is US$350 in 1000-unit quantities. [1263.36]
- March 23
- Apple Computer issues firmware updates to make many of its Macintosh systems compatible with the Mac OS X operating system. [1559]
- March 24
- Apple Computer begins selling the Mac OS X 10.0 operating system, for US$129. Code-name during development was Cheetah. [1119.3] [1467.54] [1559] [1595.38] [1880.136] [1886.72] [1897.132] [1918.45] [2605.280]
- March 26
- Caldera Systems announces it will change its name to Caldera International when it has completed acquiring the Unix products and services of the Santa Cruz Operation. [1559]
- The Microsoft Windows Hardware Engineering Conference is held, in Anaheim, California. [1122.1]
- At the Microsoft Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, Bill Gates introduces the Tablet PC initiative. It features a Transmeta Crusoe processor, touch-screen interface, MS Notebook handwriting recognition software, Windows XP operating system. Size is about 8.5 x 11 x 1 inches, weight is under 3 pounds; price will be US$2000-3500. Shipment date is scheduled for 2002. [1122.1] [1141.67] [1760.38]
- March
- Alan Kay quote: “Microsoft’s Tablet PC is the first Dynabook-like computer good enough to criticize”. [1141.70]
- March 30
- Quantum sells its hard drive business to Maxtor. Quantum will continue operations selling storage products and services. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- HandEra introduces the HandEra 330 handheld computer. It features 320×240 pixel display, serial port, 33 MHz Motorola DragonBall-VZ processor, Palm OS 3.5.2, CompactFlash Type II+ and SecureDigital slots, 8 MB RAM. Four AAA batteries power the system for about 4-6 weeks. Price is about US$350; size is 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches; weight is 6.8 ounces. [1834.32] [1835.70]
- Intel announces the release of the 1 GHz mobile Pentium III processor, for US$722. [1121.29]
- April 6
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A personal computer appears in a school classroom. [1983]
- April 8
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. In the opening credits is “Bender’s Humor by Microsoft Joke”. [1963]
- April 9
- Intel releases the 850 MHz Celeron processor. Price is US$138 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- April 11
- Ecuador issues a 68-cent postage stamp depicting a personal computer. [2405.916]
- April 13
- Apple Computer stops sales of the Power Mac G4 667 computer. [1559]
- April
- Palm releases the m500 and m505 handheld computers. [1559]
- April 19
- MandrakeSoft releases the MandrakeLinux 8.0 operating system. It is based on the Linux kernel 2.4.3. [1458.78]
- April 20
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A personal computer appears, with keyboard and mouse. A character types at a laptop computer. [1984]
- April 22
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. In the year 3000, a clown makes a joke about Windows 3000 being used as a prison guard because it always locks up. [1964]
- April 23
- Intel releases the 1.6 GHz Pentium 4 processor. Price is US$294 in quantities of 1000. [1551.8]
- Intel releases the 1.7 GHz Pentium 4 processor. Price is US$352 in quantities of 1000. [1551.8] [1559]
- April 26
- In the USA, Senators Joe Lieberman and Herb Kohl introduce the Media Marketing Accountability Act, government legislation intended to give the Federal Trade Commission authority to prosecute those in the entertainment industry who market sdult-rated products to children. [2162.26]
- May 1
- Sony Electronics introduces the Song Clié PEG-N710C handheld computer. It features Palm OS v3.5.2S, 320×320 resolution 256-color reflective TFT display, 33 MHz Dragonball VZ processor, 8 MB RAM, 4 MB flashable ROM, 8 MB Memory Stick, USB synchronization cradle. The rechargeable lithium ion battery powers the unit for about 15 days. Price is US$499; weight is 6.4 ounces; size is 4.5 x 2.8 x 0.7 inches. [1836.52] [1559] [1837.70]
- Corel releases WordPerfect Office 2002 software suite. Standard Edition includes WordPerfect word processor, Quattro spreadsheet, and Corel presentation software; upgrade price is US$159. Professional Edition adds Paradox database and Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice-recognition software; full price is US$259. [1559]
- Apple Computer unveils a new iBook laptop computer. It features 500 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 1024×768 resolution 12-inch screen, 64-128 MB RAM, 10-20 GB hard drive, FireWire and USB ports, and CD/DVD drive. Weight is 4.9 pounds; thickness is 1.3 inches. Prices range from US$1299 to US$2099. [1559] [1770.22] [1901.26]
- May 13
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US.
- In the year 3000, a celebrity’s personality is downloaded from the Internet, and stored on a blank robot. The robot came from a large box shaped like a 3.5-inch diskette box, with label on the box saying “10 BLANK ROBOTS / MAC FORMATTED”.
- Later, a personal computer appears, looking just like the original 1984 Apple Computer Macintosh, with built-in monitor, keyboard, and diskette drive.
- In the year 3000, a 3.5-inch diskette is still being used as a backup disk.
[1965]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer appears, looking like the Apple Computer iMac. [2080]
- May 14
- Advanced Micro Devices introduces the Athlon 4 processor, at speeds ranging from 850 MHz to 1 GHz, with 256 kB integrated cache, 200 MHz system bus, PowerNow technology, and Streaming SIMD Extensions. The processor is made using a 0.18-micron manufacturing process. Code-name during development was Palomino. [1559]
- Advanced Micro Devices announces 800 and 850 MHz Duron processors, with integrated cache, PowerNow technology, and Streaming SIMD Extensions. Code-name during development was Morgan. [1559]
- May
- Intel releases the Itanium processor. It features 32 kB Level 1 cache, 96 kB Level 2 cache, 2 or 4 MB Level 3 cache, 733 or 800 MHz speed, 266 MHz bus, 2.1 Gbps bandwidth, IA-64 instruction set, 128 integer and 128 floating-point 64-bit registers, 64-bit data path, theoretical address space 18 exabytes (18 billion gigabytes), Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing (EPIC). Code-name during development was Merced. [1278.110] [1418.28]
- Intel introduces the 1.4 GHz Xeon processor. It incorporates 42 million transistors in a 0.18-micron process. Code-name during development was Foster. [1278.114]
- IBM simplifies its product line in the US, eliminating processors by Advanced Micro Devices. [1559]
- Microsoft makes a request of the US Supreme Court to hear an appeal of its antitrust case, based on the comments that U.S. District Judge Thomas Jackson had made to the media. (The request is rejected in October.) [1559]
- Advanced Micro Devices introduces the 1 GHz Duron processor. It features 64 kB Level 1 data cache, 64 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 64 kB Level 2 cache, three pipelined FPUs, max address 4 GB, and 200 MHz system bus. It supports MMX, 3DNow!, Enhanced 3DNow!, 3DNow! Professional instructions. It incorporates 25.2 million transistors in a 0.18-micron process. Code-name during development was Morgan. [1454.124]
- May 16
- Microsoft officially releases Windows 2000 Service Pack 2. The update fixes over 500 software bugs. [1559]
- May 17
- The DVD+RW Alliance announces the addition of DVD+R write-once capabilities to the standard. [1713.33]
- May 19
- Apple Computer launches its first retail store, in McLean, Virginia. [1559] [1761.44] [1883.28]
- May 21
- Intel announces the 750 MHz mobile Pentium III processor. The 1.35-volt processor can step down to 500 MHz at 1.1 volts when running on battery power. [1559]
- Intel announces the 600 MHz mobile Pentium III processor. The 1.1-volt processor can step down to 300 MHz at 0.975 volts when running on battery power. [1559]
- Intel announces two 600 MHz mobile Celeron processor. One operates at 1.35 volts, the other at 1.1 volts. [1559]
- Intel announces the 800 MHz Celeron processor. [1278.114] [1559]
- May 22
- Microsoft releases Windows Media Player 7.1 for the Pocket PC. [1559]
- May
- Palm releases the Palm m505 handheld computer. It features 16-bit 64,000 color 160×160 pixel display, SecureDigital slot, Universal Connector, Palm OS v4.0, 8 MB RAM. Price is US$449; weight is 5.2 ounces; size is 4.5 x 3.2 x 0.5 inches. [1838.48] [1559]
- Agenda Computing releases the VR3 handheld computer. It features 66 MHz NEC VR4171 processor, 8 MB RAM, 16 MB Flash memory, 160×240 pixel 16-grayscale display, and USB docking cradle. The system runs on two AAA batteries, and can run the Linux and X Window systems. [1494.14]
- May 29
- SuSE announces SuSE Linux 7.2 operating system for the Intel IA-64 processor. [1458.12]
- Red Hat announces the Red Hat Linux 7.1 operating system for the Intel Itanium processor. [1458.12]
- May 30
- Turbolinux announces the Turbolinux Operating System 7 for the Intel Itanium processor. [1458.12]
- May
- Intel begins full production shipments of the 1.13 GHz Pentium III processor. [1278.114] [1559]
- May (month)
- Top selling personal computer game in the USA for the month: Myst III: Exile. [2348.32]
- (month unknown)
- IBM releases the IntelliStation MPro workstation, with Fire GL4 3D graphics, 40 GB hard drive, 1.7 GHz Pentium 4 processor, for US$3984. [1123.29]
- IBM releases the NetVista A60 desktop computer, with 80 GB hard drive, 1.7 GHz Pentium 4 processor, four drive bays, four expansion slots, for US$3829. [1123.29]
- Apple Computer releases the 733 MHz Power Mac G4, with CD-RW/DVD-R drive, 256 kB L2 cache, 1 MB L3 backside cache, 256 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive, iTunes jukebox software, iMovie video editing software, for US$4649. [1123.29]
- Hewlett-Packard announces the Pavilion 6835 computer. It features 800 MHz Celeron processor, 128 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive, CD-RW drive, for US$1099. [1123.29]
- Hewlett-Packard announces the Pavilion 7845 computer. It features 866 MHz Pentium III processor, 40 GB hard drive, 48X CD-ROM drive, 10/100 Base-T card, for US$1449. [1123.29]
- Hewlett-Packard announces the Pavilion 7855 computer. It features 1 GHz Pentium III processor, 60 GB hard drive, for US$1749. [1123.29]
- Hewlett-Packard announces the Pavilion 7865 computer. It features 1.2 GHz AMD Athlon processor, 80 GB hard drive, 15X DVD drive, for US$2149. [1123.29]
- June 4
- NEC releases the MobilePro 790 handheld computer. It features 8.1-inch touch-screen display, 168 MHz MIPS processor, 16 MB flash memory, Windows CE 3.0 operating system, “pocket” versions of Microsoft software, 56 kbps v.90 modem, and CompactFlash slot. Price is US$899; weight is 1.8 pounds; size is 1.1 x 5.2 x 9.6 inches. [1559]
- June 6
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 1.4 GHz Athlon processor. Price is US$253 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 950 MHz Duron processor. Price is US$122 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- June 8
- Warner Bros. Pictures releases the film Swordfish to theaters in the USA. A Dell laptop computer appears throughout the film. [2367]
- June 11
- Pitcairn Islands issues four postage stamps depicting computer keyboard, circuit board, integrated circuit, mouse, and CD-ROM. [2525.309]
- June
- Microsoft launches Office XP for Windows XP. Standard Edition includes Word 2002, Excel 2002, Outlook 2002, and PowerPoint 2002, with price US$479. Professional Edition adds Access 2002, for US$579. [1222.3] [1492.43] [1493.104] [1769.77]
- Advanced Micro Devices introduces the 1.06 GHz Athlon MP processor. It features 64 kB Level 1 data cache, 64 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 256 kB Level 2 cache, three pipelined FPUs, max address 4 GB, and 266 MHz system bus. It supports MMX, 3DNow!, Enhanced 3DNow!, 3DNow! Professional instructions. It incorporates 37.5 million transistors in a 0.18-micron process. Code-name during development was Palomino. [1278.114] [1454.124]
- Sony begins shipping Clie PEG N710C handheld computer. [1559]
- At the JavaOne conference in San Francisco, California, Sharp unveils an unnamed Linux/Java handheld computer. It features Intel 206 MHz StrongARM SA-1110 processor, Lineo Embedix Linux OS, Java, color 240×320 TFT LCD touch/display, small QWERTY keyboard, 32 MB DRAM, 16 MB Flash RAM, CompactFlash and SecureDigital card slots, IrDA, serial, USB, and audio I/O ports. [1457] [1648.53]
- June 18
- Palm announces the Jordan m100 and Jordan m500 handheld computers. The units are the result of a US$3.5 million three-year deal with basketball star Michael Jordan. The hardware is the same as regular Palm handhelds, except for the name “Jordan” on the case. Special software related to Jordan, basketball, and games are included. List prices are US$159 and US$425 respectively. [1559]
- June
- Compaq Computer ships the one-millionth iPaq handheld computer. [1559]
- June 20
- Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. Several personal computers appear on the desks of a TV show. [2483]
- June 25
- Sony releases the Clie PEG-S320 handheld computer. It features monochrome 160×160 display, 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, 8 MB RAM, 4 MB flash memory, and Palm OS 4.0. Price is US$200. The unit is to be available in August. [1559]
- Sony releases the Clie PEG-N610C handheld computer. It features 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, 8 MB RAM, 4 MB flash memory, Palm OS 4.0, and 16-bit color 320×320 resolution screen. Price is US$400. The unit is to be available in August. [1559]
- Casio announces the Cassiopeia BE-300 handheld computer. It features 166 MHz NEC processor, 320×240 resolution color screen, Windows CE 3.0 operating system, CompactFlash card slot. Price is US$199. [1559]
- June
- Sony ships a Linux kit for the PlayStation 2 video game system in Japan. The kit includes a 40 GB hard drive, keyboard, mouse, VGA and Ethernet adapters, and DVD-ROM with Red Hat-based Linux OS. Price is 25,000 Yen (about US$200). All 2000 units sell out in under eight minutes. [1494.11]
- June 27
- Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. A personal computer appears, with program called “PhotoWiz”, a spoof of Photoshop. [2485]
- June 28
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upholds the ruling that Microsoft maintained its operating system monopoly by illegal means, but rejects the claim that Microsoft attempted to extend its monopoly to the Web browser market, removes Judge Thomas Jackson from the case, and rejects his order calling for the company to be broken up. The court asks the trial court to revisit the issue of tying the browser to Windows. [1559] [1771.34] [1773.62]
- June 30
- Macao, China, issues three postage stamps depicting a handheld computer, a computer, and linked computers. [2465.590]
- June (month)
- Top selling computer game during the month in the USA: Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. [2609.28]
- April-June
- Unit shipments of handheld computers during the past three months: 2.89 million. [1839.3]
- (month unknown)
- Sony releases the Clie PEG N610C handheld computer. It features a color display. Price is US$400. [1559]
- Infogrames acquires Atari’s name and game titles. [1559]
- Syria issues a 25-pound postage stamp for the 38th anniversary of the March 8 Revolution, depicting two personal computers. [2529.386]
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