For Immediate Release

Contact:
Jennie Shikashio
Regis McKenna Inc.
(408) 974-4104



Apple's Newton Speaks Windows!

New Connection Kit Provides Easy Information Exchange Between Windows Applications and Newton MessagePad

CUPERTINO, California--July 13, 1994--Apple Computer, Inc., today announced that it has begun shipping version 2.0 of Newton(R) Connection Kit for Windows(R).  The new version makes it simple for users to exchange their Newton information with many popular Windows applications.  The announcement underscores the company's ongoing strategy to make it easier for Apple customers to fit into cross platform environments.

Customers will now be able to easily move and share their existing information from many popular Windows personal information managers (PIM), word-processors, spreadsheets and databases to the Newton MessagePad(TM), and vice-versa.  For example, a user's Lotus Organizer information can be moved and shared directly with the MessagePad's address book and calendar and vice versa.

Those who use the MessagePad to store and access information--notes, letters, name-cards, to-do lists, appointments, and even information created with many third party Newton applications--while on the move can now more easily integrate, exchange, share and manipulate this information with many popular Windows personal information managers (PIM), word-processors, spreadsheets and databases.

"Connection Kit for Windows 2.0 allows customers to work with the applications they are familiar with in the Windows environment and enables them to easily take that information anywhere with their Newton MessagePad," said Ken Wirt, director of marketing for Apple's Personal Interactive Electronics division. "This flexibility provides customers with the information they want, when they want it, whether they are at their desktop computer or not."

"Newton Connection 2.0 is a major advance in achieving truly seamless integration with a Windows PC," said Mark Eppley, CEO of Traveling Software, Bothell (WA).  The Windows version of the Newton Connection Kit was developed jointly by Apple Computer and Traveling Software.

Direct Export And Import with Windows applications Newton Connection v 2.0 enables users to import and export native files directly from many popular supported Windows applications to the MessagePad's address book, calendar and notepad, by incorporating portions of the Conversions Plus file translation library, a product from DataViz Inc. of Trumbull, CT.  Supported Windows applications include popular titles such as: Lotus Development's Lotus Organizer, Lotus 1-2-3, and AmiPro; Symantec's Act!; Polaris Software's PackRat and Advantage; Microsoft's Excel, Word and Works; Portfolio Software's Dynodex; WordPerfect's WordPerfect, among others.  For example, Symantec ACT! information can be imported directly to the MessagePad's address book and calendar, and vice versa.

Industry Standard Text Files
Newton Connection v 2.0 enables users to create, save and modify industry standard tab-separated and comma-separated text files for exchanging (importing and exporting) Newton information with numerous Windows PIM, database and spreadsheet applications such as WordPerfect's InfoCentral, Claris Corporation's FileMaker Pro and Microsoft's Access, among others. For example, a list of names, addresses and phone numbers stored in Claris' Filemaker Pro can easily be imported into the MessagePad address book.

Newton Connection File Format
Newton Connection has a rich intermediate text file format which supports all Newton information, enabling cooperating desktop applications to exchange information with a Newton MessagePad. Many Windows application developers are already working with Apple to support this format directly within their applications.

Special Software Offer
In a limited special offer, the Newton Connection Kit  v 2.0 for Windows will include several sample StarCore(TM) Newton applications while supplies last: Columbo's Mystery Capers, Silicon Casino, GoFigure, Fortune 500 Guide To American Business and Dell Crossword Puzzles and Other Word Games (demo versions).  In addition, Newton Book--an electronic book containing descriptions of numerous Newton commercial and shareware applications--will be included in the special offer, as will Newton DataViewer, which enables import/export of spreadsheet data.  The Newton DataViewer allows users to manipulate Windows spreadsheet data on their Newton MessagePad via horizontal and vertical scrolling, sorting by column, and exporting back to the Windows spreadsheet.

Availability and Pricing
Newton Connection Kit v 2.0 for Windows was rolled out today across the United States and is expected be available in computer retailers, campus resellers, consumer electronics stores and K-12 institutions.  The Apple price of Newton Connection Kit v 2.0 for Windows is US$99.  Pricing will vary outside the U.S.

Free Upgrades
Apple intends to send all registered purchasers of Newton Connection Kit v 1.0 for Windows an  upgrade to v 2.0 at no charge.  Registered users can expect to receive their upgrades in the latter part of July 1994.

Newton Connectivity from within Windows Applications
Apple has already announced that it will make available developer tools for desktop Windows and Macintosh developers of horizontal and vertical applications.  Developers will be able to connect to and exchange/synchronize information with the Newton directly from within their Windows and Macintosh(R) applications.  For instance, a desktop database application will be able to connect directly with the Newton and be able to synchronize its information with an equivalent Newton application.  Desktop developers interested in getting more information about these tools may contact Apple via internet at the following internet address "directconnect@newton.apple.com."

Apple is also developing a Windows version of its Newton Toolkit developer system in order to make it easier for developers to work in the Windows environment to create Newton software.  Apple has already shipped over 3,000 copies of the Macintosh version of its Newton Toolkit developer system.

Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple Computer, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets personal computer, server and personal interactive electronic systems for use in business, education, home, science, engineering and government. A recognized pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple does business in more than 120 countries across the world.

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Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh and Newton are registered trademarks. MessagePad and StarCore are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.  Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.



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