Intel Corp, as reported briefly, has announced separate agreements with Ameritech Inc and Bell Atlantic Corp to explore applications such as audio, data and video conferencing for personal computer users. The agreements, which have still to be firmed up, are intended to provide a framework for the companies to work together on integrating personal computers and phones, and to to enable real-time data conferencing over regular telephone lines, and videoconferencing over ISDN. Intel says that it will introduce personal computer add-in boards and software later this year, but refused to confirm a report in US PC Week that places the number of products at 20 and says that the first launch will be in April. The report also says that Intel is to release a revision of its Indeo video compression technology, which is claimed to increase compression ratios fivefold over the current version (enabling one minute of video to be compressed into 1Mb of data). The products specified in the report include a low-cost video board which gives users single-step video capture and compression capabilities in a 320 by 240 pixel window, and an Exchangeable Card Architecture communications board – due in June – which includes the enhanced Indeo compression technology. Finally the report says that Intel’s Business Communications Division is working with Microsoft Corp on the release of software standards for telephony applications.
