Sixth Generation

(1990 -Beyond)

Transitions between generations in computer technology are hard to define, especially as they are taking place. Some changes, such as the switch from vacuum tubes to transistors, are immediately apparent as fundamental changes, but others are clear only in retrospect. Many of the developments in computer systems since 1990 reflect gradual improvements over established systems, and thus it is hard to claim they represent a transition to a new "generation'', but other developments will prove to be significant changes.

Using recent engineering advances, computers are able to accept spoken word instructions(voice recognition) and imitate human reasoning. The ability to translate a foreign language is also moderately possible with fifth generation computers. This feat seemed a simple objective at first, but appeared much more difficult when programmers realized that human understanding relies as much on context and meaning as it does on the simple translation of words.

The Java programming language, unveiled in May1995 , enables platform-independent application development.

Many advances in the science of computer design and technology are coming together to enable the creation of sixth-generation computers. Two such engineering advances are parallel processing, which replaces von Neumann's single central processing unit design with a system harnessing the power of many CPUs to work as one. Another advance is superconductor technology, which allows the flow of electricity with little or no resistance, greatly improving the speed of information flow. Computers today have some attributes of Sixth generation computers. For example, expert systems assist doctors in making diagnoses by applying the problem-solving steps a doctor might use in assessing a patient's needs. It will take several more years of development before expert systems are in widespread use.

Year wise summery of development

1991: Go Corp. releases PenPoint, an operating system for pen-based computers. Advanced Micro Devices announces its AMD 386 microprocessor to compete with Intel's 386 chips. Notebook PCs are introduced by most PC vendors. HP unveils its RISC-based 9000 Series 700 workstations with exceptional price-performance.Compaq leads a group of 21 companies to launch the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) to establish a new standard for high-end PCs and workstations. The Federal Trade Commission launches an investigation into Microsoft's business practices. Intel introduces the 486SX, a lower priced 486 chip. NCR agrees to be acquired by AT&T in a deal valued at $7.4B. Apple releases the System 7.0 operating system for Macintosh. Wang will resell IBM's PS/2, RS/6000 and minicomputers. IBM will invest $100M in Wang. Microsoft rolls out DOS 5.0 with great success. Major changes among PC dealers as ComputerLand acquires Nynex's computer stores, CompuCom acquires Computer Factory, ValCom and Inacomp merge, JWP buys Businessland and Intelligent Electronics acquires BizMart. Borland buys Ashton-Tate for $440M. SunSoft, a Sun Microsystems subsidiary, announces Solaris which is a UNIX operating system for SPARC workstations and 386/486 PCs. The Bell companies receive permission to enter the on-line information services market. Apple and IBM sign a historic deal--including two joint ventures: Kaleida will develop multimedia products, Taligent will develop object-oriented operating software. Apple rolls out its PowerBook notebook and Quadra Macintosh PCs.

Wavetracer introduces its Zephyr massively parallel computer system with up to 8192 processors. IBM reorganizes itself into more autonomous business units and several divisions become wholly-owned subsidiaries. AT&T/NCR agrees to acquire Teradata for $520M. Many major computer companies have quarterly or full-year loses including Compaq, DEC, IBM, Lotus and Unisys, primarily due to work force reduction costs. The first general purpose pen-based notebook computers are introduced. IBM has its first revenue decline in 45 years.

1992: IBM invests $100M in Groupe Bull. Silicon Graphics buys Mips Computer in a $400M stock swap. IBM releases OS/2 Version 2.0 and ships over 1M units. Microsoft introduces Windows 3.1 and ships nearly 10M units. The core of Apple's lawsuit versus Microsoft Windows is dismissed. Sun Microsystems launches a new generation of SPARC computers--the SPARCstation 10 family. Compaq announces several new lines of PCs and becomes a price trend setter. Its low-price strategy is very successful. Ken Olsen resigns from Digital Equipment after 25 years at the helm. Sears and IBM forms a new venture, named Advantis, to compete in the value added network service market. Wang Laboratories files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. IBM makes the IBM PC Co. a subsidiary. IBM follows Compaq's strategy and introduces aggressively priced PCs--also with good success. Compaq enters the Japanese market with aggressively priced PCs--as much as 50% lower than Japanese PC prices. Digital Equipment announces its next generation computer architecture--the RISC-based Alpha.

Microsoft introduces Windows for Workgroup. Intel says its next microprocessor will be called Pentium instead of 586. Hewlett-Packard ships the LaserJet 4, a 600 by 600 dots per inch resolution laser printer. Novell to acquire UNIX Systems Laboratory, including Univel, from AT&T for $350M.

1993: IBM reports its worst year in history with a loss of $4.97B on revenues of $64.5B. IBM chairman John Akers resigns and after the most executive search publicity ever, Louis Gerstner becomes the new chairman & CEO. General Magic, an Apple spin-off, debuts Telescripts, a communications-intensive operating system for PDAs. Next sells its hardware business to Canon and will concentrate its effort on the Nextstep software business. Novell unveils NetWare 4.0. IBM introduces the F series of the AS/400.

1993: Lotus announces Notes 3.0. Motorola start shipping the first PowerPC microprocessor. IBM's storage division, Adstar, becomes a subsidiary. Microsoft unveils Windows NT. Pentium-based systems start shipping. PA's Energy Star Initiative is unveiled and most PC vendors support the program with announcements of energy efficient PCs. Apple ships the Newton MessagePad--its first Personal Digital Assistant. AT&T announces it will acquire McCaw Cellular for $12.6B. Compaq introduces the Presario, a PC family targeted for the home market. FTC ends its probe of Microsoft without any actions, but the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice will launch its investigation.

Microsoft outlines the Plug and Play and Microsoft at Work (MAW) initiatives. IBM debuts its first workstations based on the PowerPC chip. Novell transfer the UNIX trademark to X/Open and X/Open will certify that an operating system is UNIX compliant. IBM announces OS/2 for Windows, which upgrades the Windows environment to OS/2. Sun Microsystems license NextStep and makes a $10M investment in Next. IBM say it will sell its Federal Systems division ($2.2B in yearly revenue) to Loral for $1.6B.

1994: Apple enters the on-line service market by announcing eWorld. John Sculley leaves Apple after 10 years at the helm. HP becomes a Taligent partner and buys 15% from Apple and IBM. MCI invests $1.3B in Nextel Communications, a wireless service provider. Macintoshes using the PowerPC start shipping. Intel introduces the 486DX4 clock-tripling microprocessor . Aldus and Adobe agree to merge in a transaction worth $525M and will form a $0.5B+ software company. Novell says it will acquire WordPerfect for $1.14B and will buy Borland's Quattro Pro for $145M.

1995: The Java programming language, unveiled in May, enables platform-independent application development. "Duke" is the first applet. Toy Story is the first full-length feature movie completely computer generated. Windows 95 is launched on August 24 with great fanfare.

1996: The Intel Pentium Pro is announced. The IEEE Computer Society celebrates its

Beyond: Now the the speed of change inrespect of computer can not be decribed yearly its change every day and every time so whats changes going on today is dificult to specify perticularly.

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