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Technology Stocks : S3 (A LONGER TERM PERSPECTIVE) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stockroach who wrote (7093)	11/1/1997 12:44:00 PM
From: Mark Zavist	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14577

S3's SonicVibes(TM) Becomes the First PCI Audio Solution to Earn Microsoft WHQL Approval PR Newswire - August 07, 1997 10:18 SIII MSFT %CPR %PDT V%PRN P%PRN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jump to first matched term SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest supplier of graphics, video and multimedia acceleration hardware, S3(R) Incorporated (Nasdaq: SIII) today announced that SonicVibes is the industry's first PCI audio solution to pass Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) WHQL (Windows 95 Hardware Quality Labs) approval and receive the "Designed for Windows 95 Logo." "Receiving WHQL certification with the "Designed for Windows Logo" is the ultimate stamp of approval from Microsoft," said Mike Nell, vice president and general manager, audio/communications for S3 Incorporated. "SonicVibes has already been recognized for its high performance and interactive media capabilities and with this approval, ensures SonicVibes provides customers with the compatibility they demand." Microsoft WHQL The Designed for Windows 95 Logo is the sign that products will work well with Windows 95 and that they take advantage of Windows 95 features. Products with the Logo have gone through a rigorous series of tests to determine whether or no they meet logo criteria. In hardware products, including PC systems and subsystems, the baseline criteria include supporting Plug and Play in Windows 95 and having 32-bit device drivers. Plug and Play in Windows 95 provides a mechanism for the hardware and software installation to happen automatically. Computers, add in boards and peripheral devices supporting Plug and Play bring true ease of use to customers of Windows 95 and the Logo is an easy-to-remember way to identify products that include this feature in the operating system. SonicVibes Redefines Audio on the PC Featuring a revolutionary new design that redefines audio on the PC, SonicVibes features a number of industry firsts: -- SonicVibes is the industry's first fully-integrated audio processor to move audio acceleration from the ISA bus to the PCI bus while sustaining DOS games compatibility. This enables higher performance, lowers overall system cost, decreases bus bandwidth and delivers new levels of interactive media applications such as multi-player gaming on the internet due to overall improved system performance. -- SonicVibes is the industry's first audio chip to use Downloadable Sounds (DLS). DLS extends the standard MIDI format to allow for the transfer and storage of custom sounds on a PC. Utilizing the DLS standard, software and hardware developers will be able to deliver an unlimited sound palette, reduce storage requirements and enable real-time interactive audio on the Internet -- changing the way end-users experience audio on their PCs. -- SonicVibes is the industry's first fully-integrated audio processor that enables Wavetable music synthesis to the PC motherboard. In the past, the audio subsystem's reliance on the ISA bus prevented Wavetable synthesis on the motherboard. Wavetable brings audio to life on the PC by producing sounds that mirror the original composition. About S3 Incorporated S3 Incorporated, founded in 1989 with headquarters in Santa Clara, California, is the world's largest supplier of multimedia acceleration hardware and its associated software. S3 is committed to applying its expertise in audio, video, graphics and platform acceleration to create innovative and affordable products for the home, desktop and mobile markets. The company's vision for the future is to also bring a rich, consumer electronics-type experience to PC users -- integrating the best available consumer multimedia technologies into the mainstream PC platform. Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, such as statements relating to the company's ability to drive market trends, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and pricing and of alternative technological advances, market acceptance of the company's and its customers' new products, and other risks detailed from time to time in S3's SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. S3 and SonicVibes are registered trademarks of S3 Incorporated. The S3 corporate logo is a trademark of S3 Incorporated. Other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. All third party quotes and product information are furnished by the respective companies. Source: Mercury Research (Scottsdale, AZ) SOURCE S3 Incorporated CONTACT: Paul Crossley of S3 Incorporated, 408-588-8664, pcross@S3.com, S3 Website: s3.com

To: stockroach who wrote (7093)	11/1/1997 6:34:00 PM
From: Bill Lin	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14577

One other RUMOR is that the GX3 is not a high end product. Stockroach, do you think this opinion is because of the recent introduction of the Nvidia Riva 128 (220-228 3D winmarks) and Verite VR2100 (192 3D winmarks), vs the GX2 (82 3D winmarks)? I was assuming that a 2x AGP solution with a 128 bit engine (GX3) would double GX2 performance (est. 164 3D winmarks), which puts it UNDER the $110 DIMD Stealth 2 S220 VR2100 based board. IMO, GX3 needs to be delayed to make sure it it can match or exceed the Nvidia's 220 3D winmarks, otherwise, they will have NO pricing power. If they want to release a quick solution (GX2.5?), they need to announce the slower and faster version at the same time. saying it will be available 1 qtr later at a faster performance will be helpful. Also, Nvidia released the Riva 128 this April in samples. What have they done in the last 9 months on design upgrades? i think on monday, i will try to buy some puts or sell some calls or somthing. i have been opposed to options, because i'm a crappy market timer, and options force you to time the market. I wish S3 would negotiate a purchase of Nvidia (based in sunnyvale and privately owned by nvidia and SGS Thompson) BL

To: stockroach who wrote (7093)	11/1/1997 7:24:00 PM
From: SidStock	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14577

RE: S3 is dumping their Sonic Vibes chips in the Asian market Groggy- I have followed your posts for a while, and thus I trust your contacts. So any ideas why S3 would be dumping? Also, doesnt the microsoft article contradict this??? I wonder if a possible explanation is that S3 respun the chip to fix certain bugs (er i mean features) and now Microsoft is certifying rev2. So S3 would then dump the old rev1's in asia, better than tossing them in the dump. At least S3's MO seems to be to dump a lot of chips on the market these days. BTW, I am not saying there is a rev1 and rev2 just guessing on my part. Maybe Guppy can fill in some blanks... btw where has he been lately? Sid