In an attempt to generate a real market for thin client devices, IBM Corp is losing its network computer religion and teaming with Intel Corp. Big Blue is to sell stripped-down Intel-based desktop devices running the JavaOS for Business operating system, conforming to both the network computer reference profile (NCRP) and Intel Corp’s ‘lean client’ specifications. It’s a reversal of the decision IBM made in 1996 when its newly-formed network computer division under Bob Dies decided that NCs using Intel chips would be too expensive for this market (CI No 3,041). Sounds like splitting hairs but IBM says its plan is to offer Intel-based NetStations for the high-end of the market and PowerPC NetStations at the low-end. IBM wouldn’t explain how the economics have changed but having effectively rescued the stricken JavaOS for Business – nee JavaOS for NCs – a few weeks ago by agreeing to co-develop new versions incorporating Big Blue technology together with Sun Microsystems Inc, IBM now plans to sell an Intel version of JavaOS to OEMs which also conforms to both specifications. It will do the lean client work on JavaOS with Intel, and will be ready to ship the software this summer. It’s making a big deal of the Intel collaboration suggesting both companies have decided the pragmatic way to make this market happen is to collaborate. IBM is due to deliver JavaOS for Business on its NCRP PowerPC NetStations, but didn’t say whether that would also support lean client specifications. The other missing piece of the jigsaw is the role of Network Computing Devices Inc. IBM said it was too early to say whether its Intel devices, like the PowerPC-based NetStations, will be built for it by NCD. There’s no reason to suppose they won’t. In any case NCD has already agreed to co-develop Intel-based lean clients in conjunction with Intel, which took a 4.4% stake in NCD to seal the deal (CI No 3,364). NCD said it had no comment to make. As part of its Java license, NCD gets access to JavaOS but said it had not yet determined what in any its role in the IBM-Intel development might be. Intel’s lean client specification differs from NCRP largely in its ability to support a range of operating systems including Java, Windows CE, and Unix. NCRP devices are regarded primarily as Java clients. We wonder how long it will be before JavaOS for Business winds up on the StrongARM embedded RISC that Intel acquired as part of its settlement with DEC. Intel now has an ARM license from the UK’s Advanced RISC Machines.
