Roadmaps Intel sent to both its channel and OEM partners last week showed that the company was set to release 866MHz and 850MHz Pentium IIIs today, as well as a pair of faster Celerons. But according to an Intel representative today, there are no plans to release the microprocessors in the "imminent future". That led us to ask whether it would release such parts in the "near future", to which the reply came it depended what the "near future" meant. Whatever these time terms mean, and despite the fact that Intel notified both channel partners and OEMs of the move some time ago, the launch for today is postponed. Intel refused to comment on information that was not publicly available at press time, but it always says to its channel partners that it can change prices and product specifications whenever it chooses. The reasons, we understand, are nothing to do with technology but more to do with something we termed some time back "marchitecture". It is jockeying for position with AMD, which has now postponed its price cuts until tomorrow, according to a representative at that firm. Let's hope that their systems and spreadsheets have been programmed by competent people, who have remembered that the year 2000 is a leap year, and that, therefore, there is a 29th of February tomorrow. ® * In other news, sources said that Intel-Shiva forgot to renew its domain registration for www.shiva.com, which led to some site down time last week. Intel declined to comment on the reports. See also Intel confirms huge Pentium III shortage (This Intel memorandum to its channel partners clearly states that it had plans to move speeds up on the 27th of February) Intel to intro 866MHz, 850MHz Coppermines, cut prices Intel confirms price slides