Sources close to Intel claimed today that Craig Barrett will announce Merced has taped out, in the next few hours. For the last month, controversy has raged within and without Intel about the tape-out date, but now Barrett is insisting on an announcement today, the last day of June. The compiler designers will be left with the results of Barrett's announcement and the issue is one of damage control, our source said. According to the source, Barrett will then present Merced demonstrations using real silicon at the next Intel Developer Forum, in September. Barrett is also likely to make some reference to the fact that Via bought Cyrix at close of play in Taiwan. The press office at Intel declined to comment. ®