Path: network.ucsd.edu!nprdc!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!soda.berkeley.edu!alanc From: alanc@soda.berkeley.edu (Alan Coopersmith) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system Subject: Apple PR: The Future of Mac System Software Message-ID: <2lh1ob$b6m@agate.berkeley.edu> Date: 8 Mar 94 05:16:59 GMT Reply-To: alanc@soda.berkeley.edu Organization: U.C. Bezerkeley Confuzed Students Underhanded Assoc. Lines: 124 NNTP-Posting-Host: soda.berkeley.edu 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alan Coopersmith Internet: alanc@ocf.berkeley.edu University of California, Berkeley Bitnet: alanc@UCBOCF.BITNET ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. .