After Amstrad bought the computer business of Sinclair Research, Sir Clive retained the rights to the Pandora project, and it evolved into the Cambridge Computer Z88, launched in 1987.

Amstrad launched two new variants of the Spectrum: the ZX Spectrum + 2, based on the ZX Spectrum 128, with a built-in tape drive ( like the CPC 464 ) and, the following year, the ZX Spectrum + 3, with a built-in floppy disk drive ( similar to the CPC 664 and 6128 ), taking the 3 " disks that many Amstrad machines used.

Amstrad also launched the SM2400 modem, which was a quad speed dial-up modem and boasted speeds of up to 2400baud.

The word processing software package LocoScript by Locomotive Software was introduced as one of the programs bundled with the Amstrad PCW, a personal computer launched in 1985.

In 1984 the Company launched Sage software, a product for the Amstrad PCW word processor, which used the CP / M operating system.

* Amstrad DMP3000, DMP3160, DMP3250di 9-pin dot matrix printer ( different printing speed ), the special model 3250di ( dual interface ) having both serial and parallel ports

In 1985, the popular Amstrad PCW range was introduced, which were principally word processors, complete with printer, running the LocoScript word processing program.

* Amstrad DMP1000 9-pin dot matrix printer

* DD-DMP1 Amstrad DMP1 printer

To make the printer cheap enough to be included with every PCW, Amstrad placed the majority of its drive electronics inside the PCW cabinet.

Some of the later models included a built-in parallel port ; these could be bundled with either the dedicated Amstrad printer, or a Canon Bubblejet model.

The Amstrad PCW's bundled word processing software, LocoScript, used the term " in limbo " to refer to files which had been deleted but which could still be restored, a concept similar to that later implemented by the Trash in the Apple Macintosh and the Recycle Bin in Microsoft Windows 95.

In 1993, Amstrad was licenced by Sega to produce a system which was similar to the Sega TeraDrive, going by the name of the Amstrad Mega PC, to try to regain their image in the gaming market.

Amstrad ’ s UK E-m @ iler business is operated through a separate company, Amserve Ltd which is 89. 8 % owned by Amstrad and 10. 2 % owned by DSG International plc ( formerly Dixons plc ).

It was announced on 2 July 2008 that Sugar had stepped down as Chairman of Amstrad, which had been planned since BSkyB took over in 2007.

StarDivision developed the first version of StarWriter for the Zilog Z80 home-computer system, the Amstrad CPC ( marketed by Schneider in Germany ) under CP / M, and later for the Commodore 64 under Microsoft BASIC, which was later ported to the 8086-based Amstrad PC-1512, running under MS-DOS 3. 2.

Anti-Multiface was a public domain program for the Amstrad CPC which allowed the restoring of saved memory dumps without the need for a Multiface to be present.

Amstrad Action was a monthly magazine, published in the United Kingdom, which catered to owners of home computers from the Amstrad CPC range and later the GX4000 console.

Sky bought out Amstrad satellite production in 2007 and now only distribute boxes which initially appeared as Amstrad models but are now badged merely as Sky.

A special update — or rather, a ROM extension — was available on the Amstrad CPC Plus series machines, which added specialised BASIC commands for taking advantage of the extra capabilities of those machines.

Systems utilizing the DE9 connector for their game port included the Atari 8-bit and ST lines ; the Commodore VIC-20, 64, 128, and Amiga ; the Amstrad CPC ( which employed daisy-chaining when connecting two Amstrad-specific joysticks ); the MSX, Sharp X68000, and FM-Towns, predominantly used in Japan ; the Sega Master System and Sega Genesis ; and the Panasonic 3DO.

Amstrad licensed both MS-DOS 3. 2 and Digital Research DOS Plus, which was largely compatible with MS-DOS and included some features from CP / M and the ability to read CP / M disks.

The mouse was an Amstrad Mouse, which was incompatible with serial mice common at the time.

David Langford has also written columns for several computer magazines, notably 8000 Plus ( later renamed PCW Plus ), which was devoted to the Amstrad PCW word processor.

Under license from Konami, Ocean Software produced ports of Contra under the title of Gryzor for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC, which were released in Europe in.

The product did not ship until 1985, by which point the UK home computer market was already dominated by the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and Acorn BBC Micro.

Whilst it may not have been as popular as the Spectrum, Commodore 64 or Amstrad CPC, it did sell in sufficient numbers to ensure that new software was being produced right up until the early 1990s.

The Schneider CPC6128 was a Schneider-branded version of the Amstrad CPC6128, and very similar in appearance.

Another homebrew version was released in 2011 for the Amstrad CPC home computer.

With the Z-machine, Infocom was able to release most of their games for most popular home computers of the day simultaneously — the Apple II family, Atari 800, IBM PC compatibles, Amstrad CPC / PCW ( one disc worked on both machines ), Commodore 64, Commodore Plus / 4, Commodore 128, Kaypro CP / M, Texas Instruments TI-99 / 4A, the Mac, Atari ST, the Commodore Amiga and the Radio Shack TRS-80.

After Amstrad acquired Sinclair's computer products lines in April 1986, the QL was officially discontinued.

The machine featured an all-new grey case featuring a spring-loaded keyboard, dual joystick ports, and a built-in cassette recorder dubbed the " Datacorder " ( like the Amstrad CPC 464 ), but was in most respects identical to the ZX Spectrum 128.

The main menu screen lacked the Spectrum 128's " Tape Test " option, and the ROM was altered to account for a new 1986 Amstrad copyright message.

The ZX Spectrum + 3 looked similar to the + 2 but featured a built-in 3-inch floppy disk drive ( like the Amstrad CPC 6128 ) instead of the tape drive, and was in a black case.

Amstrad was founded in 1968 by Alan Sugar at the age of 21.

Amstrad was once a FTSE 100 Index constituent but is now wholly owned by BSkyB.

Amstrad was founded in 1968 by Lord Sugar at the age of 21, the name of the original company being AMS Trading ( Amstrad ) Limited, derived from Lord Sugar's initials ( Alan Michael Sugar ).

The Amsoft division of Amstrad was set up to provide in-house software and consumables.

This was the first new Spectrum model released by Amstrad after their purchase of the range.

The console, based on the Amstrad 464 Plus hardware, was a commercial failure, because it used 8-bit technology unlike the 16-bit Mega Drive and Super Nintendo.

Amstrad was key to the introduction of Sky, as it was the only manufacturer producing receiver boxes and dishes at the system's launch, and has continued to manufacture set top boxes for Sky, from analogue to digital and now including Sky's Sky + digital video recorder.

In 1997, Amstrad PLC was wound up, its shares being split into Viglen and Betacom instead.

Betacom PLC was then renamed Amstrad PLC.