Apple’s StarCore Group Announces New Line Of Software for Newton MessagePad and Compatibles
LAS VEGAS — November 15, 1993 — Apple Computer Inc.'s StarCore, a new software publishing and distribution group within the company's Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) division, has announced more than a dozen new titles for the Newton MessagePad and other products based on Newton technology. All these titles are scheduled to be released nationwide before Christmas 1994.
Apple's StarCore software library, ranging from games to reference applications to business titles, will augment the entertainment and utility value of the MessagePad and other products based on Newton technology. Software titles are formatted either on PCMCIA cards that slot into the Newton device, or on floppy diskettes. Titles released on diskettes can be transferred from either a Macintosh or Windows- based personal computer to a Newton device, using the optional Newton Connection kit.
"We're leading the race to bring exciting, useful software to the PDA marketplace," Ken Wirt, director of marketing for Apple's PIE division, said. "Apple is working with cutting-edge developers who are supporting this new platform with software that will greatly enhance the value of PDAs for the consumer."
Software companies which have already committed to exclusive distribution through Apple's StarCore affiliate label program for Newton titles include, Avalon Engineering, Inc.; Dubl-Click Software; Ex Machina, Inc.; Fingertip Technologies, Inc.; Great Plains Software; Pastel Development; Saltire Software, Inc.; Slate Corp.; and State of the Art, Inc.
"The Newton MessagePad is primarily targeted towards the mobile business executive who needs immediate access to information — sales quotes, directions or phone numbers — in a convenient, easy-to-use format," said Ken Wirt. "The software coming from StarCore and its affiliate labels meets those needs. In addition, StarCore will offer some great entertainment titles for leisure-time fun."
For people needing background information on major corporations, StarCore is publishing Fortune 500: Guide to American Business, which puts an enriched electronic version of the Fortune 500 and Service 500 information right at their fingertips.
Users can access a wide range of topics including sales per employee; five-year financial performance; sales history; profits and earnings per share; and income as a percentage of assets for America's largest businesses. In addition, users can search and sort, compare five- year performance of two companies and prepare graphs. "Fortune 500: Guide to American Business" retails for a suggested retail price of $99.95
"Fodor's '94 Travel Manager: Top U.S. Cities" will put all the information travelers would find in eight separate hardcopies of Fodor's city guides in the palms of their hands. Within each city, users can view their location and receive detailed driving directions from one place to another, taking into account one-way streets and turn restrictions; query local restaurants for their menu offerings and credit card policies; and find addresses and phone numbers for businesses and hotels. In addition, users can even access elusive information, such as ATM and fast food locations. The suggested retail price is $119.95.
"Money Magazine Business Form," uses templates to organize and fill out the most commonly needed business and personal finance forms including expense reports, sales invoice/order quotations and project schedules. The suggested retail price is $49.95. The title comes on a floppy diskette that users can download from their personal computer to their Newton device.
For people on the lookout for smart new ways to manage their finances Apple will also publish "Money Magazine Financial Assistant." "Financial Assistant" helps users manage most everyday financial decisions including loans, budgets, property transactions and investments by automatically making all the necessary calculations. "Financial Assistant" will be available this fall on a floppy diskette that can be downloaded to a Newton device. The suggested retail price is $59.95.
On the entertainment side, Apple is publishing "Dell Crossword Puzzles & Other Games," a fun-filled electronic book containing hundred of puzzles, cryptograms and word searches from the "master" of brainteasers. A great feature of the software is that it will give the user "hints," if requested, such as circling incorrect letters. The suggested retail price is $79.95. An abbreviated version of this product, "Dell Crossword Puzzles," also comes on a floppy diskette for a suggested retail price of $49.95.
For murder mystery fans, Apple is publishing "Columbo's Mystery Capers," which pits the player and the Newton device against some of the most quirky, under-handed and money-hungry murderers ever to hit the small screen. Each of the 50 picture-based "whodunits," which can be solved in a matter of minutes, opens with an artist's rendering of the crime scene and a text introduction. The player's challenge: to ferret out the evidence hidden in the picture — it could be love letters, a train schedule or even a school of fish — and catch the murderer. "Columbo's Mystery Capers" carries a suggested retail price of $79.95.
Additional new floppy diskette software available from affiliate labels distributed by Apple's StarCore group this fall includes:
"ContactPad": allows Newton users to manage information relating to their contact database, including appointments, phone calls and notes. The suggested retail price is $149.95.
"Day-Timer Meeting & Expense Pack": automatically organizes expenditures by type, account and business trip, and assists users in planning, conducting and following up on meetings. The suggested retail price is $129.
"Expense It!": allows any business person who travels to easily record and compile expenses on their Newton device and then upload the files to popular spreadsheets used on personal computers. The suggested retail price is $139.95
"Fingertip for Golf": a personal, mobile golf scoring product designed for use while the player is actually on the links. The software incorporates club usage, yardage, shot results, fairways and greens hit during 20 rounds of golf to evaluate the player's strengths and weaknesses. The suggested retail price is $159.
"GoFigure": combines more than 15 different calculators into one easy-to-use program, allowing users to instantly compute everything from food measurement conversions to calculus problems. The suggested retail price is $79.95.
"Personal Time & Billing": Allows the mobile professional to capture and assign time and expense information for clients or projects. The suggested retail price is $149.
"PocketCall": gives users access to on-line communications services, including CompuServe and America On-Line, to obtain news, visit special interest groups, exchange mail or even call a corporate computer system. The suggested retail price is $149.
"PresenterPad: provides business people with the tools to create and manage slide presentations and pre-scripted speeches, and turns their Newton device into a mini teleprompter. The suggested retail price is $89.
Apple's StarCore group publishes and distributes software on CD-ROM for the Macintosh and on PCMCIA cards and floppy diskettes for the Newton technology platform. Apple's StarCore titles are focused around six software categories: edutainment, sports, entertainment, reference, business applications and self-improvement. Apple is positioned to become the premiere worldwide publisher and distributor of multimedia and mobile computing software, which will be brought to market under both the StarCore name and an affiliate label program.
NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo and Macintosh are registered trademarks and StarCore, Newton and MessagePad are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. GoFigure is a trademark of Dubl-Click Software, Inc., Fingertip for Golf is a trademark of Fingertip Technology, Inc., PocketCall is a trademark of Ex Machina, Inc., PresenterPad is a trademark of Avalon Engineering, Inc., ContactPad is a trademark of Pastel Development Corp., Day-Timer Meeting and Expense Pack is a trademark of Slate Corp., Expense It! is a trademark of State of the Art, Inc., Personal Time & Billing is a trademark of Great Plains Software.
CONTACT:
Heidi Davis of Apple Computer, 213-933-4959