The TI-99 Home Computer
Encyclopedia
May not be reproduced for commercial purposes
without written permission.
Timeline 99 -- 1980
| JAN
1980: TI RF MODULATOR FCC WAIVER GRANTED- The
Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Texas Instruments a waiver
which permits TI to connect its personal computers to home color
television
receivers using a radio frequency (RF) modulator. TI Originally
petitioned
the FCC for approval of the RF modulator system in February 1979. The
petition
was rejected since the regulations require that the complete ystem be
submitted
for approval: TI submitted only the RF modulator for approval.
Subsequently,
Texas Instruments applied for a waiver, provided that the modulator
unit
met the standards. The FCC asked other personal computer system
manufacturers
to comment on the TI request. Radio Shack, Apple Computer, Commodore,
Mattel,
and Atari responded negatively to the request. Apple, Atari and Mattel
went to great expense to comply with the FCC regulations. The Radio
Shack
and Commodore systems, which contain integral displays and do not use
RF
modulators, do not come under the FCC regulations.
The FCC decision further waives testing by FCC and merely requires that the manufacturer provide the FCC with test results showing compliance. In a related action, the FCC relaxed the standards on RF interference generated by commercial and personal computer systems. Several personal computer manufacturers that compete with TI have already stated that this waiver will give TI a competitive advantage. Furthermore, several firms publicly questioned the FCC's rule-making methods in making this decision. The liklihood now is that the other personal computer makers will offer systems with RF modulators. It will probably take these manufacturers at least a year to bring out such competing systems. (BYTE Jan 1980, p.115)
At the heart of the TI-99/4 is a library of Solid State Software command modules. These command modules allow users instant program accessibility. Solid State Software command module titles include: Demonstration, Diagnostic, Early Learning Fun, Beginning Grammar, Number Magic, Video Graphs, Home Financial Decisions, Household Budget Management, Video Chess, Football, Physical Fitness, Speech Construction, Investment Analysis, Personal Record Keeping, Statistics, Early Reading and Tax/Investment Record Keeping. Among peripheral accessories offered is a Solid State Speech Synthesizer with a price of $150. By building a basic vocabulary into the language system, home programmers can place audible messages in their programs. The speech synthesizer module has a 200-word vocabulary and plugs into the console. Speech can be written into programs using BASIC programming language. Future command modules will call up spoken words automatically. TI BASIC is a full floating point, 13-digit expanded version of BASIC that is fully compatible with ASCII and the BASIC specifications of the American National Standards Institute. TI BASIC includes a full complement of 24 BASIC statements, 14 commands, color graphics, and sound and music over four full octaves. A Beginner's BASIC Guide for self-teaching comes with the TI-99/4. For users knowledgeable about programming, McGraw-Hill has published Programming Basic With the TI Home Computer, a book by Herbert Peckham. Remote controls are offered as accessories to the TI-99/4. Two of these controls may be connected to the computer at the same time. Each includes a multiposition (360 degrees) rotary lever with a side-mounted pushbutton. Other accessories offered by Texas Instruments include: a printer, disk storage, and an RS-232 interface for connecting the computer to other electronic devices. The price for the TI-99/4 system is $1150. Solid State Software command modules carry prices ranging from $19.95 to $69.95 each. For further information contact Texas Instruments Inc. Consumer Relations, Attn TI-99/4, POB 53, Lubbock, TX 79408. Despite the fact that the TI-99/4 was "officially" available in January 1980, it was in short supply as evidenced by the following ad in the January 1980 Byte Magazine, page 88. AN OPEN LETTER ON THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-99/4 HOME COMPUTER "Its a fact that the new TI-99/4 is the most sought after
home
computer on the market today. However the demand far exceeds the
factory's
ability to produce them, so they will be in short supply, for all
dealers,
for the foreseeable future..."
FEB 1980: MAR 1980: Creative Computing magazine calls the new TI-99/4; "One of the most easy to use systems we've tested...price still beyond grasp of Middle America." The same source confirms that TI Basic for the 99/4 was written by Microsoft, to TI specs. APR 1980: Texas Instruments releases the stand-alone Disk Drive Controller (PHP 1800) and Disk Memory Drive (PHP 1850) for the 99/4. The Controller retails for $299.95 and one disk drive costs $499.95.
MAY 1980: The APF Imagination Machine, Atari 800
and TI-99/4A are reviewed in Popular Science on page 10. JUL 1980: The Houston, Texas TI Users Group (TI-HUG) is started by Raymond Wells. AUG 1980: Charles LaFara, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma butcher, announces his intention to start the 99/4 Home Computer Users Group. The announcement is made in an August 12, 1980 letter that is sent to all known TI-99/4 owners and vendors.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 SEP 1980: Charles LaFara incorporates the 99/4 Home Computer Users Group in Oklahoma City, OK. In its four and half year life the organization will move to Bethany, OK., will produce a respected newsletter and professional TI-99/4-specific magazine, will grow to a claimed membership of over 100,000 people in 54 countries around the world, and will file for bankruptcy and ultimately breathe its last gasp in April 1985.
OCT 1980: In a letter to dealers in the United Kingdom, TI announces that an extended GROM is under development for the TI-99/4, but memory expansion is not planned. They point out that no interaction between BASIC and the GROMs in the computer is possible, though the statement is not true as far as the Personal Record Keeping and the Statistics modules are concerned. A February 1981 date is given for delivery of the UK PAL model of the TI-99/4. New modules are also promised for a November 1980 release in the United Kingdom. They are; Five a Side Football and Hunt the Wumpus. NOV 1980: Pewterware of Point Mugu, CA, and later of Gulf Breeze, FL, announces Bluegrass Sweepstakes and Match Wits console BASIC games for the TI-99/4.(99/4 Home Computer Users-Group Newsletter, Dec80, p.3)
DEC 1980: In a products price list sent to dealers, Texas Instruments announces the 1st Quarter 1981 availability of 38 new products for the TI-99/4 Home Computer. This would turn out to be the second largest mass-release of products for the 99/4 or 99/4A Home Computer in it's 4 1/2 year life span.
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