Digital Ocean Licenses Apple’s Newton Technology
CUPERTINO, Calif., and LENEXA, Kan. — November 3, 1995 — Apple Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) and Digital Ocean, Inc. announced today that they have reached an agreement for Digital Ocean to license Apple's Newton technology and customize it for use in vertical applications. For companies like Monsanto Company and Harris Corporation, Digital Ocean has already integrated into the Apple MessagePad 120 a variety of communications options as well as increased durability.
Digital Ocean will market these PDAs to business customers who need innovative, integrated features in a rugged, backlit Newton product. Communication options offered by Digital Ocean include GPS (Global Positioning System), differential GPS (dGPS), wireless LAN, CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data), voice-over wireless LAN and bar coding.
"Realizing the potential for PDAs in the workplace, as well as the enormous growth of all wireless computing markets, Digital Ocean licensed Newton technology because of its robust user interface, market acceptance and Apple's commitment to the platform," noted Digital Ocean's CEO, Jeff Alholm. "Licensing Newton technology deepens Digital Ocean's relationship with Apple. Since the introduction of the first MessagePad in 1993, Digital Ocean has supported the Newton platform by integrating wireless local area network communication with its Grouper line of products."
With Monsanto, Digital Ocean brings dGPS to the Newton platform by integrating it with a Newton device with increased durability. This unit is capable of acquiring precise geographic data and is envisioned as a versatile and cross-industry tool for mobile data entry in the field.
Digital Ocean is also working with Harris, a leader in interactive telephone test systems, to provide backlighting, added durability, wireless LAN and voice-over wireless LAN capabilities for Harris' SuperTech 2000 (ST2K), Craft Digital Assistant (CDA). The CDA is wirelessly linked to the communications controller located in the technician's vehicle, thereby allowing large amounts of data to be sent to the CDA, while maintaining wireless wide area communication when needed.
Digital Ocean also manufactures the Tarpon, a wireless, rugged and backlit PDA based on the Newton platform. The Tarpon is designed for applications requiring rugged, field use. In addition to the Tarpon, Digital Ocean supports wireless LAN communication for the Apple MessagePad with its Grouper 100MP product line. The Grouper, Manta and Starfish product line bring wireless networking to all LocalTalk and Ethernet networks. Digital Ocean products also feature superior power conservation and management.
"Vertical customers demand backlighting, wireless connectivity, and ruggedness. Digital Ocean's product line adds these features to the demonstrated power, flexibility and ease-of-use of the Newton platform, features unavailable in other PDAs. Newton technology is far and away the best choice for a pen-based device. We take an excellent foundation and enhance it to better suit specialized markets and applications," added Alholm.
"Digital Ocean, with its background in providing wireless connectivity products for the entire line of Apple products from desktops to portable devices, is well-positioned to offer these important communications technologies to Newton customers," said Sandy Benett, acting vice president of Apple's Newton Systems Group. "Digital Ocean's product offering illustrates the breadth of the Newton platform's communications capabilities and further extends the platform into major vertical markets."
Apple is currently working with more than 200 system integrators and value added resellers to create custom solutions for markets as varied as field services, healthcare, education, real estate, and sales force automation. With its powerful development tools and seamless integration into existing computing environments, the Newton platform is ideally suited to meet the wide ranging needs of the vertical customer.
Companies that have licensed Newton technology include leading manufacturers worldwide such as Motorola Corporation; Harris Corporation; Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Limited; Sharp Corporation; Siemens; and Alcatel.
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 (Nasdaq: AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and services for the business, education, consumer, scientific and engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.
Digital Ocean develops and manufactures state-of-the-art wireless connectivity products for the entire line of Apple's desktop, portable and pen-based devices and specializes in rapid, custom development. All of the company's LocalTalk and Ethernet products include microCellular roaming, allowing users to travel freely throughout a building or campus while maintaining network services. The company has numerous patents granted and pending for its development of wireless technologies. Digital Ocean is headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas.
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/
Apple, the Apple logo, Newton and MessagePad are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Digital Ocean, Tarpon, Grouper, Manta and Starfish are registered trademarks of Digital Ocean, Inc. All other company and product brand names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.
CONTACT:
Press Contacts: Chad Hill or Len Fernandes of Hill Communications, 510-945-7910;
or
Dale Urie of Digital Ocean, Inc., 913-888-3380, ext. 22;
or
Jeni Johnstone of Regis McKenna, Inc., 408-974-2589