The PIE Division Announces Broad Communications Initiatives
CHICAGO — June 3, 1993 — The Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) Division of Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS: AAPL) today announced collaborative and exploratory efforts with three Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), Ameritech, BellSouth, and US West. The planned activities relate to the PIE Division's Newton development and are anticipated to include offering additional communications services for Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) customers and exploration of new devices and form factors that might incorporate Newton technology.
The three companies intend to work with the PIE Division to identify and implement services that are intended to add value for customers who purchase PDAs based on Newton technology. Ameritech, BellSouth, and US West initiatives follow the PIE Division's recent efforts with Siemens and ROLM to integrate Newton technology into business telephony products. Today's announcement broadens the scope of the PIE Division's communications activities for the large business, home and small business markets.
"Today's announcement builds on our ongoing strategy to offer cutting-edge products with broad market appeal," said Gaston Bastiaens, vice president and general manager of the PIE Division. "And, we believe that by working with the leading companies in all aspects of the telecommunications industry, we can meet the needs of today's business and home customers."
Ameritech
Ameritech and Apple plan to working together to facilitate the delivery of communications services to Newton customers. The collaboration includes:
— Plans for Ameritech to provide notification of fax and voice messages that simplify access to voice and fax messages, provide random access to messages, and deliver messages to Newton PDAs or other devices.
— Utilizing Newton PDAs as a retrieval and display device for Ameritech voice and fax mailbox messages.
BellSouth
BellSouth's plans include: the trialing of prototype screen-phone devices and the incorporation of additional services for such devices.
US West
US West intends to explore the areas of screen-based telephony and identification and implementation of services for Newton devices.
Siemens and ROLM
Since March, Apple and Siemens and ROLM have been collaborating on the development of NotePhone, a combination of Siemens-ROLM telephony and Newton technology that will provide access to telephone and fax features.
Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Apple Computer Inc. develops, manufactures and markets computer systems for use in business, education, the home, science, engineering, and government. A recognized pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple does business in more than 120 countries. Apple's Macintosh computers and LaserWriter printers were ranked highest in user satisfaction among business users in recent studies by J.D. Power and Associates.
Apple and the Apple logo are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Newton is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc. Siemens and ROLM collaboration, see Apple's press release dated March 11, 1993.
CONTACT:
Tricia Chan of Apple, 408-974-3886