Apple Computer And R.R. Donnelley Announce New Working Relationship to Develop Travel Applications and Newton PDAs
CUPERTINO, Calif. — November 17, 1992 — Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS: AAPL) and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company today announced a strategic business relationship aimed at providing a wide range of digital publishing services for Apple's Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) division.
Apple and R.R. Donnelley, the world's largest commercial printer, and others, intend to develop a broad range of digital information products for Apple's new lines of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). A PDA is a portable device that enables users to organize and communicate vast amounts of information easily, often using telecommunications and handwriting-recognition capabilities. When combined with third-party products, PDA devices will allow users to easily navigate and access important reference information.
The first project planned by the companies will be undertaken by Apple PIE's Newton group and GeoSystems, a business unit of R.R. Donnelley. The groups and others, will focus on providing travel- based applications using GeoSystems' digital library of street-level maps along with a variety of travel data for the United States. For example, Newton PDAs could be used to locate restaurants, sights-to- see, and other travel information on a map and get accurate directions from any starting point.
"This relationship with R.R. Donnelley underscores broad industry support of Newton technology," said Ken Wirt, director of marketing, Apple PIE division. "We see a variety of product and service possibilities in combining R.R. Donnelley's wealth of experience, broad range of capabilities in the information industry, and Apple's emerging PDA platform."
"Apple's new PDA devices will help publishers reach new customers by creating platforms for publishing information," said Bart Faber, group president of R.R. Donnelley's Information Services group. "R.R. Donnelley looks forward to working with Apple and content providers to help bring these new products to market."
Headquartered in Cupertino, Apple Computer Inc. develops, manufactures and markets personal computer systems for use in business, education, science, engineering and government. A recognized pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple does business in more than 120 countries. Apple has redefined computing to mean empowerment of the individual, and has been named first in customer satisfaction among business computer users in the United States for two years in a row by J.D. Powers and Associates. It seeks through technology to provide people with easy and affordable access to information and computing power.
R.R. Donnelley is the world's foremost printer of catalogs, newspaper advertising inserts, magazines, books, directories, financial printing and computer documentation. Headquartered in Chicago, the company operates printing plants, sales offices, service centers and subsidiaries in more than 130 locations in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.
GeoSystems, based in Lancaster, Pa., is a unit of R.R. Donnelley's Information Services Group, serving the government, publishing, and telecommunications, travel, and delivery/distribution industries.
NOTE: Apple is a registered trademark, and Newton is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. GeoSystems is a trademark of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company.
CONTACT:
Tricia Chan of Apple Computer, 408-974-3886;
or
James M. Ratcliffe, vice president, Corporate Relations, 312-326-8030, or Kenneth Coleman, marketing manager, Information Services Group, 617-466-9193, both of R.R. Donnelley & Sons