Apple Charts New Course For Operating System Software - 03/1994

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From: [email protected] (Alan Coopersmith)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Apple PR: The Future of Mac System Software
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 8 Mar 94 05:16:59 GMT
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The following press relases is exactly as I recieved it from the Apple
gopher server.  I don't speak for or work for Apple, but am mereley passing
on this information to people who are interested.

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Alan Coopersmith			Internet: [email protected]
University of California, Berkeley	Bitnet:   [email protected]
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THIS RELEASE MOVED OVER PR NEWSWIRE ON MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994 AT 8:31 AM, EST
 

 
Apple Charts New Course For Operating
System Software
 
Stand Out, Fit In Strategy Expected to Attract New Customers
 
CUPERTINO, California--March 7, 1994--Apple Computer, Inc., today
outlined its "Stand Out and Fit In" strategy for the future
development of its Apple  Macintosh  operating-system software.  The
strategy calls for Apple to deliver regular improvements to Macintosh
system software and its user interface that should make Macintosh
customers even more productive, make it easy for Macintosh customers
to coexist in mixed computing environments, as well as make it easier
for Windows and MS-DOS customers to move to the Macintosh platform.
     "We aim to make Macintosh technology even more relevant--and
available to--a much broader group of customers, including Windows
and MS-DOS users," said David Nagel, Apple senior vice president and
general manager of the company's AppleSoft division, which is
responsible for development and marketing of system software.  "We
plan to extend our leadership in making computing even more natural
and intuitive.  And we also plan to make Macintosh the best citizen
in a world that has--and will continue to have--many different types
of computers in it."
     "Stand Out" aspects of Apple's strategy include using the power of
Apple's upcoming Macintosh on PowerPC systems to extend the Macintosh
user interface capabilities.  With future releases of system
software, the interface is expected to incorporate elements of active
assistance.  Over time, greater levels of intelligence are to be made
available, so that the computer can more actively help the user work,
learn and communicate.  Other "stand out" platform innovations are
slated to include advanced graphics and multimedia technologies,
improved speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities, and
enhancements that should make the Macintosh operating system the best
platform for collaboration services.
     A key element of Apple's strategy, in terms of both standing out and
fitting in, is the OpenDoc component application architecture.
OpenDoc defines a new way for applications to be created, using
object-oriented technology.  These smaller applications, or software
parts, which by design are interoperable with other parts and
applications, can be mixed and matched to more effectively build
custom solutions.  With OpenDoc, a user opens a document, which can
contain any kind of information or data, and edits or manipulates different
kinds of data--text, graphics, sound, animation--without switching between
different applications.  This new way of interacting with a document
lets the user focus on the task at hand, rather than on the
capabilities or idiosyncrasies of the application.
     "With OpenDoc, we expect our customers to benefit in two ways: they
will receive the fruits of innovation more quickly, and they will
have transparent software that lets them focus on their work without
having to become application specialists," said A. J. Dennis of
WordPerfect Corporation. "The realization of modular, component
software and in-place editing lets us deliver solutions that address
specific needs of the user without getting in the way. "
     OpenDoc is a cross-platform application architecture, which
contributes to Apple's goals for fitting in.  Apple is working with
companies such as IBM, Novell, Taligent, WordPerfect and Xerox to
ensure that OpenDoc is developed and enhanced as an open standard;
available on the most popular personal computing platforms; works
well over computer networks; and is interoperable with other
application architectures, such as Microsoft's Object Linking
Environment (OLE).
     In addition to OpenDoc, Apple's "Fit In" strategy is designed to
ensure that Macintosh customers work well in mixed computing
environments.  As part of this strategy, Macintosh on PowerPC systems
are expected to feature applications compatibility with existing
Macintosh applications.  In addition, options are planned for
application compatibility with Windows and MS-DOS software.  Apple
also plans system-level compatibility with popular networking
protocols such as TCP/IP and Novell NetWare IPX; interoperability
with mail and messaging systems; and interoperability with a wide
variety of personal-computer file formats.
     1994 Product Plans
Apple plans to ship Macintosh on PowerPC this month, with an
operating system that provides a robust foundation for future
enhancements and compatibility with existing Macintosh applications.
Plans for these systems include the option of compatibility with
Windows and MS-DOS software.
     Later this year, Apple plans to ship a major release of the operating
system, System 7.5, which includes a range of advancements in the
areas of active assistance, customization, advanced graphics,
networking and interoperability.  Also in 1994, Apple expects to
deliver OpenDoc to software developers.
     Future Product Plans
Apple plans other major releases of system software in the coming two
years.  The first planned release is expected to incorporate OpenDoc
and include further technology advances in the area of active
assistance, as well as system-level improvements in areas such as
multitasking, memory protection and data input/output.  Apple plans
to later deliver an even more advanced version of its operating
system, which is slated to provide intelligent assistance, a fully
exploited microkernel architecture and a significant advancement in
graphics.
     Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:
AAPL) develops, manufactures and markets personal computer, server,
and personal interactive electronic systems for use in business,
education, the home, science, engineering and government.  A
recognized pioneer and innovator in the information industry, Apple
does business in more than 120 countries.
-30-
Apple, the Apple logo and Macintosh are registered trademarks and
System 7 is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. PowerPC is a
trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.  MS-DOS is
a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.  NetWare is a registered
trademark of Novell, Inc.
 
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 I.D. number
6172.  Also available via fax is a six-page press backgrounder on Apple's
system-software strategy.  For a white paper on Apple's system-software
strategy, please contact Lisa Wilson in Apple Public Relations, 408-
862-0012.