Apple Outlines Latest Internet Developments at Worldwide Developers Conference

PR Newswire

May 13, 1997

                 WebObjects Integrated in Next Generation OS; 

                    Java Highlighted Throughout Conference 

SAN JOSE, Calif., WWDC, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer Inc.'s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), San Jose Convention Center, May 13-16, saw the Company deliver a focused Internet message to developers based around how WebObjects technology would build on the Company's strength in Internet publishing. Apple also highlighted Internet integration in future operating systems and showed company-wide commitment to developing preeminent development and deployment platforms for Java technology.

WebObjects to Build on Internet Publishing Strengths Apple believes that the Mac OS platform offers the most powerful publishing solution for the Internet. Forrester Research estimates 10 million people will be authoring content for the Internet by 1999. Today it is estimated that Macintosh users are responsible for more than 50 percent of the content on the Internet with more than 60 percent of professional publishers using the Macintosh to create their content (WebWeek Magazine, 10/17/96).

Apple believes that WebObjects technology will allow Apple to build on its strengths in Internet publishing and address emerging markets in Internet commerce, Internet business applications, and enterprise wide Internet/intranet applications. WebObjects Enterprise allows business to plug websites into enterprise data and applications for automated order entry, cataloging, customer service, intranet services, and more. Initially designed for large enterprise customers by NeXT Software Inc., the WebObjects platform offers pre-built components and rapid application assembly tools that give developers a head-start and allow them to integrate data applications into an Internet/intranet environment.

As well as focusing on WebObjects and its strength in Internet publishing other Internet themes were present throughout Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference.

Yellow Box Development Environment Integrates Java and WebObjects Presentations throughout WWDC confirm the importance of Java to Apple's next generation operating system plans. At the conference Apple announced the close integration of Java with the Yellow Box, the code name for Apple's next generation development platform for building robust, content-rich desktop, Internet/intranet software applications. The Yellow Box will be a key component in three future operating system releases from Apple Computer: Rhapsody, Mac OS and Rhapsody for Intel. The Yellow Box will also ship in a development and deployment platform for Windows, code named Yellow Box for Windows. (See separate Release).

Along with support for 100% Java, Apple also announced that the programming interfaces for the Yellow Box will be exposed as Java language calls. This will enable developers to write applications for the new platform completely in Java thus extending the functional capabilities of Java applications. Apple believes the Yellow Box will allow developers to create best of breed applications, delivered across multiple platforms, shortening development cycles and bringing the benefits of Java to mainstream applications.

It is Apple's goal to make both Mac OS and Rhapsody preeminent development and deployment platforms for Java technology.

Apple also confirmed at WWDC that The Yellow Box development environment will include the WebObjects framework that provides an HTML interface to its objects, enabling developers to easily create dynamic Web based applications on Apple's next generation operating system, Rhapsody. Using Apple's WebObjects software dynamic web sites can be developed with the Yellow Box and be deployed on Rhapsody, Rhapsody for Intel, Windows NT, Solaris and HP-UX Servers.

Mac OS 8 and the Internet

In July Apple expects to ship Mac OS 8, a major upgrade to Mac OS. The product includes significant developments in terms of Internet access and Internet integration. Mac OS 8 includes AOL 3.0, Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Cyberdog, to provide the user with the broadest range of choices for using Internet services. Mac OS 8 will also include Claris Emailer Lite, a new version of Open Transport supporting PPP for faster, easier dial-up access and a new Internet Assistant which streamlines the process of selecting and signing up with Internet Service Provider (ISP). Also the integration of Personal Web Sharing in Mac OS 8, permits every Macintosh or Mac OS compatible to be an Internet web server.

Apple also expects Mac OS 8 to integrate the Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ) 1.0.2, giving users and developers dependable Java support as a system service. At WWDC Apple will be demonstrating the MRJ 1.5, incorporating the fastest Java Virtual Machine for the Power Macintosh as well MRJ 2.0, the Mac OS implementation of JDK 1.1. Pre-release versions of MRJ 1.5 and 2.0 will be made available via the web at http://www.applejava.apple.com/.

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, handheld computers and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions, products, technologies and services for business, education, consumer, entertainment, scientific and engineering and government customers in more than 140 countries.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Performa, Power Macintosh, and PowerBook are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.

SOURCE Apple Computer Inc.