PC utilities company Quarterdeck Corp is entering the automatic software upgrade business with the launch of a new application, TuneUp. The product is designed to update desktop systems with the latest drivers and application upgrades available over the internet and includes integrated anti-virus technology. The application works by analyzing the software and hardware devices on the PC and gives the user a tailored list of the latest updates and bug fixes available on vendors’ web sites. The relevant upgrades can be selected for download either at the time or a later date. Quarterdeck will be competing with new products from anti-virus companies such as Cybermedia Inc and McAfee Associates Inc, both expanding their offerings into broader helpware and uninstaller applications. Cybermedia’s First Aid 97; for instance, is designed to help optimize PC performance and fix software configuration problems. Quarterdeck also sells a range of PC and Windows NT optimization applications including Cleansweep 3.0; its uninstaller program, Fix-It troubleshooting software to mend configuration problems, Partition-It for hard drive management and MagnaRAM 97; for 32-bit memory optimizer. TuneUp for Windows 95 is available now priced at $39 and is sold on a subscription basis. It can be purchased on-line at www.quarterdeck.com/store. Quarterdeck is also offering a $10 rebate for customers who buy before December 31, and a $25 or $40 rebate for customers buying two or three Quarterdeck products.
