Apple Announces Newton Subsidiary
New Company to Focus on Computing &
Communications For Mobile Users
CUPERTINO, Calif.--May 22, 1997--Apple Computer, Inc.
today announced the formation of a subsidiary that will focus
on meeting the computing and communications needs of
today's corporate mobile users. The new company, to be
named at a later date, will provide customers with
market-driven products and technologies, based on the
award-winning Newton operating system, in conjunction with
its licensees, value-added resellers, and systems integrators.
"Over the past year, we have seen the Newton Systems Group
launch compelling products based on the Newton operating
system," said Dr. Gilbert F. Amelio, Chairman and CEO of
Apple Computer, Inc. "We believe that the time is right to
establish the group as a focused entity. This decision allows the
new subsidiary to pursue its business and create the marketing
and operating strategies it needs to succeed."
The new company will be led by a CEO to be named and
newly appointed Chief Operating Officer Sandy Benett. Benett
was previously vice president of the Newton Systems Group
and has been responsible for managing the group for the past
few years. A search is currently underway to find an
experienced CEO to lead the organization and complement the
existing management team.
The new company will focus on developing products as well as
licensable technologies targeted at meeting the needs of mobile
users in corporate markets--initially concentrating on
healthcare, sales force automation, and field service industries.
The new company will provide platform technologies, including
the Newton operating system, development tools, APIs, and
documentation to enable the development of products for such
markets.
"We have a solid business plan and a strong management team
in place to optimize the value of Newton technology for
corporate users and take Newton technology into a new era,"
said Benett.
Products built on the Newton operating system include the
MessagePad 2000 handheld computer and the eMate 300
mobile computer for the education market.
The new company will continue to support, sell, and market the
current MessagePad 2000 in the retail channel. The Company
will also build on the success of prior MessagePad products by
continuing to deliver the MessagePad 2000 and follow-on
products to corporate markets. It will be strengthening the
organization to fully support this sector.
The new company will serve the education market through
Apple. Apple Computer, Inc. will continue to support, sell, and
market the eMate family of portable computer products into
the education community based on technology delivered by the
new company.
"eMate 300 is part of Apple's long-term strategy and vision for
education technology, " said Mike Lorion, vice president of
Apple's Education Division. "We will continue to aggressively
market and support the product. We are looking forward to
working closely with the Newton team on future versions of the
eMate to continue to meet the unique requirements of
educators and students."
Current Newton licensees include Schlumberger, Sharp, Digital
Ocean, and Harris Corporation. Technology allies include
ARM Limited, Digital Equipment Corporation, Paragraph
International, and Cirrus Logic.
Apple expects the transition to be completed by June 30,
1997. The organization will remain based in Northern
California.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the
information industry and leader in multimedia technologies,
creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal
computers, servers, peripherals, software, handheld computers
and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California,
Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions,
products, technologies and services for business, education,
consumer, entertainment, scientific and engineering and
government customers in more than 140 countries.
For Apple Computer, Inc.:
Katie Cotton
Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 974-7269
email: katiec@apple.com
For the Newton subsidiary:
Zoe Arden
Access Communications
(415) 904-7070 ext. 287
email: zarden@accesspr.com
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Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, MessagePad, and Newton are registered trademarks
and eMate is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product
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