Hertz

May 11: Eric Schmidt Introduced Chromebook

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May 11, 2013

2011 – Eric Schmidt shows off the new Google Chrome OS but with an added feature as he introduced Google Chromebook – a personal computer with the Google Chrome OS built-in. The device loads straight to the browser where you can install applications for functionality on your Chromebook. The first Chromebook would begin selling on June 15, 2011. 1979 – Daniel Bricklin and Robert Frankston demonstrate the spreadsheet program “Visicalc”. Of course, it will become the “killer app” for PC’s. 100 cells could be calculated in 20 seconds. By the first year, sales will hit on hundred thousand and seven hundred thousand in six years. VisiCalc will fall to clones and ultimately to products like Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Excel ...

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May 7: Intel Pentium II: Slot 1 Processor

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May 7, 2013

1997 – Intel changes the processor game a bit with the Pentium II processor. Starting at speed of 200 MHz / 66 MHz bus, the proc had a new design. What was called “Slot 1″ processor, Intel got away from the pin architecture to a card slot. You would insert the PII to the slot just like you would memory, an ISA or PCI card. What was Code-named Klamath, the processor incorporated 7.5 million transistors using 0.35 micron process technology, contained a 512kB Level-2 external cache, performs at 613 MIPS (300 MHz), and is able to address 64GB of memory. MMX instruction was included on the processor. Prices started at $636 for 233 MHz, $775 for 266 MHz and US$1981 for 300 MHz). ...

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May 6: iMac G3 Introduced

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May 6, 2013

1998 – Steve Jobs, just fresh out of his return to Apple, announces one of the many changes in the Mac line. The iMac G3 computer. The iMac was the first computer to offer USB ports as a standard. The “All in one” computer had a front loading CD drive – but no floppy drive, built in speakers and came in 13 different colors. The iMac mouse was a disc shaped device with one button. A standard Mac keyboard was also included. The G3 came with a Power PC 233 to 333 MHz. The L2 cache could run at 512 or 1MB and came loaded with Mac OS 8.1. The price was given of $1,299 and Jobs expected this computer ...

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April 26: TRS-80 Model 4 Released

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April 26, 2013

1983- The Trash-80, as it was so admirably called in the day, a.k.a. the TRS-80 Model 4 is introduced. It contains a 4 MHz processor, 16 KB of RAM, a cassette interface, Keyboard and Monochrome monitor. $1000 for the base model, or $2000 if you upgraded the RAM to 64 KB and 5.25 disk drives. The first TRS-80 was released in 1977. Full Day in Tech History podcast show notes for April 26 IBM 7030 – the Stretch Supercomputer Last release of the Nemesis AOL purchases Flea-Flicker Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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April 21: MITS vs Bill Gates & Microsoft on 8080 BASIC

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April 21, 2013

1977 – Two days prior, Microsoft send MITS a letter with the allegation that they were not up on royalty payments and if they didn’t catch up, MITS would be in breach and the 8080 BASIC would be pulled. MITS sends a letter stating that they are not correct. Ultimately, this would begin a debate that would end in November when Microsoft pulled the 8080 BASIC out. Full Day in Tech History podcast show notes for April 21 The Tanday 5000MC Intel 3 GHz Pentium 4 Firefox 3.0.9 is released Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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April 10: The first Blu-Ray Player, Intel 486 Introduced

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April 10, 2013

2003 – Sony Blu-Ray players hit store shelves for the first time. The BDZ-S77 was the first model, but didn’t sell too well because of the $3800 price tag attached to it. Add to it no movies available in the Blu-Ray format just yet. In fact, the first Blu-Ray movies didn’t hit shelves until June 20, 2006. 50 First Dates, the Fifth Element, Hitch, Terminator and Charlies Angels: Full Throttle were the first titles to be released. 1989- At Spring Comdex, Intel introduced the 25 MHz 80486 microprocessor. The processor would integrate the math co-processor into one chip (the 386′s compendium included the 387 math co-processor). Price $900 Wikazine – Full Day in Tech History podcast show notes for April 10 ...

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April 9: Facebook Purchased Instagram, Seiko Debuts Ruputer

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April 9, 2013

2012 – Facebook – trying to get a hold on photosharing – decides to not wait for their iPhone app to come out but instead purchase Instagram for 1 billion dollars ($300 million and 23 million shares of Facebook stock). The reason Facebook made the purchase was for the close to 50 million Instagram users. Facebook had plans to keep both companies separate, but found later that joining the two via databases would help both companies grow. The companies finalized the deal on September 6, 2012. 1998 - Seiko Instruments introduces the world’s first wrist wearable Personal Computer called the Ruputer. This wristwatch was planned to be released June 10, 1998 and cost $285. The Ruputer featured a 16-bit, 3.6 MHz ...

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