Long-suffering Atari owners could be forgiven for thinking that Christmas has come late this year. The kick up the pants that Jack Tramiel has given the slumbering US company has had the noticeable effect of eaking up several other parts of the industry.

Leading the revival is Miracle Technology which has announced a modem interface and communications package that offers full Prestel facilities.

The package labours under the unwieldy name of Multi-Viewterm Datatari but makes up for that with an impressive specification. It will handle baud rates of 1200/75, 75/1200, 1200/1200 and 300/300. The cable comes with 13-way plugs at the Atari end and a standard 25-way plug to fit Miracle Technology's range of modems. The interface and disk-based software give Atari owners access not just to Prestel but also to electronic mail, telex and a range of bulletin boards. The system also supports the downloading of telesoftware.

Best news of all is that the package is compatible with all 8-bit Atari's from the old 400 and 800 through the XL range and the new XE series.

It should be available through most of the main Atari dealers, or by mail order from Miracle Technology, St. Peter's Street, Ipswich IP1 1XB. Price is £61.10.