TH
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New Newton Operating System Will Debut on Apple's MessagePad 120 Personal
Digital Assistant
Apple Institutes Upgrade and Rebate Programs for Existing Users
LAS VEGAS, Nevada--November 13, 1995--Following the announcement last
month
of its new operating system for Newton-based personal digital assistant
(PDA)
products, Apple Computer, Inc. today announced that it will demonstrate
the
new Newton(r) 2.0 operating system on its MessagePad(r) 120 PDA product at
the industry trade show, COMDEX, being held here through November 17. The
company today also announced upgrade and rebate programs for its existing
MessagePad users and customers who want to move to the new Newton 2.0
platform.
The Apple MessagePad 120 PDA will be featured in Apple's main booth
(#2212,
Las Vegas Convention Center) and in the Newton Pavilion (Booth #4354,
North
Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center). The Pavilion features more than 50
software demonstrations and solutions that highlight the power of the
Newton
platform to bring enhanced integration, communications, and organization
capabilities to the PDA market.
Newton 2.0 is expected to be available on the Apple MessagePad 120
beginning
December 1, 1995. Additional technologies that focus on giving customers
the
power to connect with their personal computers and enterprise structures
are
expected to be available in the marketplace over the next two quarters.
Installed Base Programs and Availability
Existing customers in the United States will be able to upgrade their
MessagePad 120 (1MB & 2MB versions with the Newton 1.3 operating system)
with
the new operating system for $109 beginning in December. For those
customers
with earlier MessagePad products (the original model and models 100 and
110),
Apple also will implement a rebate program beginning on December 1.
Customers, who wish to buy a MessagePad 120 with the new operating system,
will receive a $100 rebate upon proof of purchase. Customers may call:
(800)
767-2775 on December 1, 1995 to place orders and receive additional
information about these programs.
Apple's current distribution strategy for MessagePad products includes a
mix
of channels including computer and retail outlets and catalog sales. In
addition, there is a Newton home page on the World Wide Web,
http://www.info.apple.com/newton, as well as Newton forums on America
Online,
CompuServe, eWorld(tm). To obtain information on the availability of
Newton
platform products, including the Apple MessagePad, customers may call:
1(800)
909-0260, in the United States.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the
information
industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal
computers,
servers, peripherals, software, online services, and personal digital
assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)
develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and
services for the business, education, consumer, scientific & engineering
and
government markets in over 140 countries.
NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in receiving Apple press releases
by
fax, call 1-800-AAPL-FAX (1-800-227-5329) and enter your PIN number. If
you
do not have a PIN, please call the Public Relations Hotline at (408)
974-2042.
Press Contacts:
Jennie Shikashio
Regis McKenna, Inc.
(408) 974-1867
Jeni Johnstone
Regis McKenna, Inc.
(408) 974-2589
Customer Information Contact: If you are considering the purchase of an
Apple product and would like to have product information faxed to you,
please
call 1-800-462-4396 in the U.S. or (415) 598-4329 in Canada. If you do not
have a fax machine or would like to locate an Apple authorized reseller
near
you, please call 1-800-538-9696. Customers outside the U.S. should contact
their local Apple representatives for information.
Apple's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com
Newton home page on the World Wide Web, the centralized location for
obtaining information about the Newton platform:
http://www.info.apple.com/newton
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Apple, the Apple logo, Newton and MessagePad are registered trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. All other company and product brand names mentioned
may
be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and
are
hereby acknowledged.
---------------------
About Newton 2.0
A number of significant improvements to the Newton(r) platform have been
implemented in the latest version of the operating system and through
complementary add-on solutions from Apple and third parties.
While advances in the Newton 2.0 platform include improving overall
functionality, the focus has been on responding to customer feedback from
both users and developers and implementing changes that improve
capabilities
in the areas of information organization, local and wide area network
(LAN/WAN) communications, access to the enterprise environment and
integration to both Windows and Mac OS-based personal computers (PCs).
Organization
The advanced, built-in information management applications in Newton 2.0
are
designed to improve productivity and overall information management and
include the following features:
* Data Capture
- New handwriting recognizer for printed words and improved cursive
recognizer
- New Apple external Newton Keyboard offers additional input method
- Improved ink text can be used in all applications, easily edited and
converted to typed text at any time
- Smart lists provide the most commonly entered information for easy
selection
- Onscreen keyboard and pop-up menus readily available to speed data
entry
* Built-in Applications
- Significantly enhanced Names and Dates applications with user
interface
improvements and tighter integration
- New Calls application for tracking phone calls
- Improved Notepad with integrated Outline and Checklist stationery
* User Interface
- New screen rotation enables users to change the screen view from
portrait to landscape mode
- Caret icon indicates where text will be placed and provides a quick
way
to enter punctuation marks
- "New" button available in all built-in applications for rapid
creation
of new documents
- Customization features such as the ability to add fields, label files
and group contacts together, allows users to personalize their Newton
personal digital assistant (PDA)
Communications
Newton 2.0 takes advantage of an open system architecture, which
accommodates
a variety of communications options. The platform is designed to allow
users
to communicate through both wired and wireless methods-implementing direct
connections to computer networks via a serial port, or with a PC card
modem
and cellular phone. Communications features include:
* Faxing
- Built-in fax send and receive
* Built-in E-mail Client
- Send and receive e-mail via:
- LANs such as CE QuickMail, Lotus cc:Mail, and Microsoft Mail
- public e-mail services such as America Online, CompuServe and
eWorld(tm)
- wireless mail services such as RadioMail and WyndMail
- Internet mail such as Eudora
* Internet Access
- In addition to third-party offerings, Apple plans to deliver a TCP/IP
software package in the first half of 1996
* Database Access
- Access databases on PCs, servers, and corporate networks using a
Newton
PDA
* Universal In/Out Box
- Centrally locate all incoming and outgoing communications
* Wireless Messaging
- Send and receive wireless messages with a variety of third-party PC
cards and software
* Printing
- Print documents to a variety of office printers
* Beaming
- Beam information to other Newton PDA users who are in close proximity
via the built-in infrared technology
For developers, the communications architecture of the Newton platform
supports a variety of hardware, services and protocols allowing
independent
software vendors (ISVs) and in-house developers to more easily build in
the
communications features they need. In the first half of 1996, developers
will
have TCP/IP software to enable them to deliver applications that expand
Internet access to Newton PDA customers.
Integration
An important function of PDAs is the ability to synchronize with personal
computers, import and export data and provide access to information. The
Newton 2.0 platform offers customers these capabilities, enabling them to
keep important information current and close at-hand.
Several new Newton 2.0 products from Apple help simplify the process of
exchanging information with a personal computer. Apple's new desktop
integration utilities and applications for Newton 2.0 include the
following:
* Newton Backup Utility
- Allows users to back up and restore Newton 2.0 information to a
personal
computer
- Installs software packages from a personal computer to a Newton PDA
* Newton Press
- Provides a drag-and-drop method for creating electronic reference
documents, or "Newton books." Created by simply dropping text files
onto the Newton Press icon, Newton books are easily imported from a
personal computer into a Newton PDA for viewing, faxing, printing or
annotating
- Imports graphics, e-mail, text and word processing documents such as
travel itineraries, meeting agendas, price lists, user manuals and
maps
For developers, Apple has created a suite of application programming
interfaces (APIs) called the Desktop Integration Libraries (DILs), which
will
enable direct synchronization between personal computer applications and
applications running on Newton PDAs. Examples of developers taking
advantage
of this technology include Now Software with their Now Synchronize
solution
and LandWare with Sync+ for Microsoft Schedule+.
-30-
Apple, the Apple logo, and Newton are registered trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc. All other company and product brand names mentioned may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and are
hereby acknowledged.
-------------
Newton 2.0 Platform
Product Listing
Newton 2.0 Operating System
Newton 2.0 is a new version of the Newton(r) operating system based in
large
part on feedback from current Newton platform developers and customers.
Newton
2.0 features significant improvements in integrating with Windows and
Mac(tm) OS-based personal computers and enterprise environments,
communicating with others by supporting LAN and WAN connectivity, and
organizing information.
Additional features include providing users with access to online and
Internet messaging services, the ability to receive as well as send faxes,
support for an external keyboard, and significant advances in handwriting
recognition.
Availability: December 1, 1995. The Newton 2.0 operating system will be
available on the Apple(r) MessagePad(r) 120 beginning in December 1995.
Apple Price: Apple MessagePad 120 with Newton 2.0, U.S.$699
-------------
Along with development of Newton 2.0, there also are new productivity
technologies and utilities that provide both customers and developers with
enhanced capabilities. These utilities and technologies will begin to be
available starting in December and throughout the first two quarters of
1996.
CUSTOMER PRODUCTS
Newton Backup Utility (NBU)
The Newton Backup Utility provides customers with the ability to back up
data
on a Newton PDA to a Windows or Mac OS-based personal computer. NBU also
enables users to restore information from a PC to a Newton PDA, as well as
download applications from a PC to a Newton PDA.
Availability: December 1, 1995 for Mac OS-based personal computers.
Apple Price: Bundled with the Apple MessagePad 120 with Newton 2.0,
available without charge on online services and the World Wide Web.
Newton Backup Utility (NBU) for Windows OS-Based Personal Computers
Availability: January 1996
Apple Price: Bundled with the Apple MessagePad 120 with Newton 2.0,
available without charge on online services and the World Wide Web.
Newton Press
Newton Press provides users with a convenient drag-and-drop method for
publishing electronic documents, or "books." Newton books make it easy to
take essential information--a price list, catalog, or travel itinerary,
for
example--that resides on a personal computer or on-line service with you
while on the go. A Newton book is automatically created by simply
dropping
text files, graphics, e-mail, or reference information onto the Newton
Press
icon on a Windows or Mac OS-based personal computer. After formatting the
book on a PC, users can import the book into a Newton PDA and view, fax,
annotate, and print it, as well as distribute it (via e-mail or beaming)
to
other Newton PDA users.
Availability: December 1995 for Mac OS-based personal computers
Apple Price: U.S.$69
Newton Press for Windows OS-Based Personal Computers
Availability: Q1, 1996
Apple Price: U.S.$69
Newton Keyboard
The Newton Keyboard is an external keyboard that connects to a Newton 2.0
PDA
and allows users to easily and quickly type information into a Newton PDA.
Using the Newton Keyboard, users can write e-mail, take notes, and add
information to any built-in application.
Availability: December 1995
Apple Price: $89
Newton Connection Utilities (NCU)
The Newton Connection Utilities provide users with the ability to
integrate
data between a Newton PDA and a Windows or Mac OS-based personal computer.
These utilities offer the same backup, restore, and installation
features of
NBU, with the additional ability to allow users to synchronize PC files
with
corresponding data residing on a Newton PDA. For example, a list of
contacts
on a PC can be synchronized with the Names file on a Newton PDA so that
users
always have current and complete information. With NCU, users can also
import and export text files and information between a PC and Newton PDA.
And by using a modem, users can perform these tasks remotely. With NCU,
users can enter data directly into a Newton PDA via their PC keyboard.
Availability: Q1, 1996 for Windows and Mac OS-based personal computers
Apple Price: U.S.$69
DEVELOPER PRODUCTS
Newton Toolkit 1.6 for Mac OS-Based Personal Computers
Allows developers to easily create software solutions that run on any
Newton
PDA. Newton Toolkit is an interactive development environment featuring
rapid prototyping and a library of extensible components. Newton Toolkit
1.6
includes a compiler and profiler that allow developers to achieve the
highest
possible application performance.
Availability: December 31, 1995
Apple Price: U.S. $299
Newton Toolkit 1.6 for Windows OS-Based Personal Computers-Beta Version
This is the first beta release of Newton Toolkit which runs on personal
computers using Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or Windows NT.
Availability: Q1, 1996
Desktop Integration Libraries (DILs)
This Newton platform technology makes it easy for developers to create
customer solutions that allow for direct synchronization of data between
applications on Mac OS- and Windows-based PCs and Newton PDAs. The Desktop
Integration Libraries (DILs) are C libraries which make it possible for
data
in PC applications to be synchronized with data on Newton PDAs in one easy
step. For example, the same personal information management (PIM)
applications you use on your PC can talk directly to your Newton PDA.
Availability: Q1, 1996 for Windows and Mac OS-based personal computers.
Apple Price: Bundled with Newton Toolkit 1.6, available without charge on
online services and the World Wide Web.
Apple Computer, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, MessagePad, and Newton are
registered trademarks, and Mac, NewtonScript and eWorld are trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. SuperTech 2000 is a trademarks of Harris. All other
brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Terry Harpold "What is the use of a book," thought Alice,
"without pictures or conversations?"
tharpold@netdepot.com
terry_harpold@attpls.net -- Lewis Carroll, _Alice in Wonderland_