Ameritech, Apple Form Alliance for Messaging Services
CHICAGO — June 3, 1993 — Communications-intensive users who link Ameritech's messaging services with Apple Computer's much-heralded Newton devices will realize additional stay-in-touch capabilities as a result of an alliance announced by the two companies.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago Thursday, Ameritech and Apple's Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) Division said they reached agreement where-by the two companies will collaborate to add value for their mutual customers — Ameritech providing the communications services and Apple providing the hardware.
"In our fast-paced, information-rich world, staying in touch is critical, particularly for people on the go," said Jerry Malik, president of Ameritech Development. "We're pleased to be working with Apple to find ways to better serve our customers and give them more control over the messages they get and the manner in which they get them."
People who use Ameritech voice messaging or enhanced facsimile services will be able to receive notice that they have messages waiting, then retrieve them using Apple's personal digital assistant (PDA), a small, smart computer-like device that lets users send and receive messages with the help of a screen and special pen. The first Newton PDA device is expected to be available this summer. Eventually, users may be able to scan their messages, picking the order in which they want to receive them, or getting an idea of what the message is about or who it is from.
A person might be notified they have three voice messages and four fax documents, for example. Rather than receiving them sequentially as they must do today, they might decide to retrieve messages from a certain individual first, using their Apple device to receive the messages right then and there. These and other messaging capabilities are expected to be available to consumers next year as additional software development is completed.
In addition, the two companies are exploring ways of promoting messaging services in connection with sales of Newton products and through Apple's On-Line Services.
"Apple is delighted to have a leading industry partner such as Ameritech deliver these types of critical services using our Newton devices," said Gaston Bastiaens, vice president and general manager of Apple's PIE division. "These types of partners and services are an integral part of our overall initiative to provide Newton users with unique products and services."
Ameritech's voice messaging services, which provide a way for people to electronically store and retrieve telephone messages, are available today in major cities in its Midwest region, such as Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.
Ameritech's enhanced facsimile service, called FAXTRA, makes it easier for people to send and receive facsimile documents, such as providing an electronic mailbox to which documents can be sent and stored until a person is ready to receive them. A variety of FAXTRA features are available today mainly in Chicago. Ameritech is considering expansion of the service territories and product features.
"We're interested in giving our customers the additional control and convenience they are asking for," said Tom Gray, Ameritech director of messaging services. "The alliance represents another channel for Ameritech to make voice messaging and enhanced facsimile services available to more people. It also is indicative of our intent to integrate our messaging services."
Based in Chicago, Ameritech is a leading supplier of full-service communications and advanced information services, primarily to about 12 million customers in the Midwest. It also has operations in New Zealand, Poland and other international areas. Its 1992 revenues were $11.2 billion.
CONTACT:
Ameritech, Chicago
Steve Ford, 312/750-5205
or
Apple Computer, Cupertino, Calif.
Tricia Chan, 408/974-3886