Boundless Corp has now added audio capacity to its thin-client terminals – hoping that multimedia facilities will open up new markets. Using software from Citrix Systems Inc, it says that with the addition of a SoundBlaster-compatible card, its terminals can easily be configured to play sound from the internet or CD ROMs. This, it believes, means its terminals can be used in computer-based training, call centers, education and internet applications that need audio facilities. Boundless sees education as a big potential market, as a thin client with audio would enable students to take advantage of digital encyclopedias and other multimedia tools. Boundless has rested its entire future on thin clients. It seems ominous that while at one time, network computers were going to sweep away PCs from many of their traditional settings, now thin clients are looking hungrily at niche markets.
