Apple ‘Turns On The Light’ with Second Newton Platform Developers Conference
SAN FRANCISCO — September 7, 1995 — Underscoring the momentum behind the Newton platform, several hundred developers from all around the globe converged upon San Francisco this week to participate in Apple Computer, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: AAPL) second Newton Platform Development Conference, entitled "Turn on the Light." During this week long conference, which began Tuesday night, Apple presented an overview of the directions for the Newton platform, including new developments in the areas of organization, communications, integration with Mac OS and Windows-based personal computers, and developer tools.
In response to developer feedback, Apple announced that it is dropping the 1 percent royalty fee for developing on the Newton platform, and highlighted Apple's comprehensive developer support programs and co-marketing opportunities.
"We are continually striving to incorporate both customer and developer feedback in our platform and program offerings," said Philip Ivanier, Apple's manager of Newton development relations. "Judging by the positive developer response we've received this week, Apple is on the right track with its plans for the Newton platform."
This year's conference is focused on the future directions of the Newton platform, and is structured to provide developers with an in-depth look at new platform features designed in response to extensive customer and developer feedback. These new features, combined with powerful applications and hardware from third-party developers, will provide users with a complete mobile solution that offers increased performance capabilities and customization opportunities. At the conference, developers will have an opportunity to learn how to take advantage of these new features to rapidly create compelling applications that meet customer needs, both for the mobile business professional and the corporate customer.
Keynote speakers at this year's conference included Michael Spindler, president and CEO of Apple Computer, and Guy Kawasaki, who recently joined the company as an Apple Fellow. A noted author, columnist and speaker, and the founder of various personal computing enterprises, Kawasaki has played a significant leadership role in the "evangelism" of the Apple Macintosh computer and its software.
On the first full day of the conference, Spindler outlined how Newton technology fits into Apple's corporate product plan and overall company strategy, while Kawasaki described the role Apple will play in supporting Newton developers and highlighted the rich array of software titles available for the Newton platform.
In addition to discussions about Newton platform and developer support directions, the conference offered technical forums where Newton engineers answered developers' questions. A hands-on testing and programming lab, open until 2 am for the night owls, was available from Tuesday through Sunday, September 10th, for those who want to write new code or test existing code.
To date, there are more than 1,000 applications available for the Newton platform, including shareware, commercial and vertical market titles. Newton technology is licensed by an impressive list of leading manufacturers worldwide including Motorola Corporation; Harris Corporation; Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Limited; Sharp Corporation; Toshiba Corporation; Siemens; and Alcatel. Hardware products available on the Newton platform today include the Motorola Marco Wireless Communicator; the Harris SuperTech 2000 Craft Digital Assistant; and Apple's MessagePad 120.
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 develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and services for the business, education, consumer, scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.
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/
NOTE: Apple, and Newton are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Messagepad is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. All other brand names mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.
CONTACT:
Jeni Johnstone of Regis McKenna, Inc., 408-974-2589, for Apple