Apple Announces MacX 2.0

PR Newswire

August 5, 1997

               Upgrade Incorporates Support for Open Transport 

MACWORLD EXPO, BOSTON, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) today announced shipment of MacX(R) 2.0, an enhanced version of the Company's easy-to-use software for high-performance X Window System computing on Mac(R) OS computers. Designed to help increase the productivity of Mac OS users in UNIX/VMS environments, MacX enables users to seamlessly run both network-based X applications and Mac OS applications on one Mac OS computer.
New in MacX 2.0 is support for the X Window System standard Version 11, Release 6.1 (X11R6.1). Compatibility with this widely adopted standard enables them to run the latest X client applications on their Mac OS computers. To enhance customer productivity further, Apple optimized MacX for use with Open Transport, which further optimizes server performance, particularly on PowerPC systems.
According to Apple's MacX product manager Richard Ford, MacX 2.0 demonstrates Apple's continued commitment to its MacX customers. "MacX 2.0 is the result of Apple's continuing engineering efforts to enhance our networking products so they take maximum advantage of Open Transport and PowerPC Processors. In addition, it demonstrates our efforts to keep our products up-to-date with evolving network standards," said Ford.
MacX 2.0 continues to provide the ease of use associated with Apple products. The product provides one-button installation and full support for Mac OS user-interface features. MacX 2.0 seamlessly integrates the Mac OS and X environments, allowing customers to customize the software so that they can launch frequently used X applications simply by choosing commands from pull-down menus. Customers can also cut and paste text and color graphics between the Mac OS and X environments. And, customers view X applications in familiar Mac OS windows for easy moving and resizing.
Additional MacX 2.0 features include:
-- Support for multiple network protocols, permitting full use of TCP/IP,

        DECnet, and AppleTalk 

-- Support for the X Display Management Control Protocol (xdm), allowing a

        network administrator to manage X terminals and workstations from a 

        single host 

-- Support for both the rexec and rsh UNIX connection methods
System Requirements
MacX 2.0 runs on any Mac OS computer with a 68030 processor or higher, or any PowerPC-based computer running System 7.1 or higher (7.5.3 or later is recommended). MacX 2.0 requires 16MB of RAM, a hard drive and local or network access to a CD-ROM drive. Access to a UNIX or VMS host via one of the following connections -- Direct Ethernet or Token Ring; LocalTalk bridged to Ethernet; or for Remote Access via PPP, SLIP, or ARA -- is also required.
Product Availability and Pricing
MacX 2.0 is available immediately in the U.S. and Canada. The estimated retail price of MacX 2.0 in the U.S. is $150. Current MacX 1.5 customers can upgrade to the new version for $90 in the US, by calling 800-293-6617, and providing proof of ownership. This release is also available in the United States through the Volume License Program, a cost-effective way for customers to acquire software licenses, support and maintenance in volume for selected Apple products. For more information, in the U.S. call 800-293-6617; in Canada, call 800-361-6075 for additional information.
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, Calif., 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's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/
Apple, the Apple logo, Mac OS, MacX and Macintosh 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. 

Apple gets intense about its hobby.(INTERNET VIDEO COMES TO THE TV)

The Online Reporter

November 6, 2009

- New Features Now, New Service Soon?

- Bridging Music and Video

Apple has released the Apple TV 3.0 software, giving its set-top box a much needed upgrade and extra features that move it out of the "hobby" category and into the sellable one. Beyond the software updates, a few recent developments on the iTunes end makes us think there's a lot more there than meets the eye.

The big redesign seems aimed at all of Apple TV. The main menu has been cleaned up and allows users to search for content a bit faster. YouTube seems to work well so far, with only a few content restrictions. The box now works with iTunes Extras movie content and the iTunes LP albums, in full screen and full-featured. Apple is sending out updates to users who have already purchased these. It seems for LPs that only part of the file is being replaced with the download.

Apple has also tossed in Genius Mixes to the Apple TV basket, and that with new access to Internet radio makes the box a single-unit home theater. Apple TV can now access almost everything that iTunes can--apps being the big difference, but we expect them to come soon.

Now that it's so well integrated, why not give users a big screen to play games, use apps or even surf the Web on through integration of the iPhone and iPod line as remotes or content sources?

For photos, Apple TV supports HD images through iPhoto Events and iPhoto Faces, which gives access to photos organized by people identified in tagged pictures.

Through iTunes, the service give access to around 8,000 SD films, 2,000 in HD, 11 million songs, 10,000 music videos and 50,000 TV show episodes. The Apple TV with 160GB capacity will set you back $229.

Apple TV and the Cable Subscription

A report from MediaMemo and others that's been getting a lot of attention is the possibility that Apple is shopping for a $30 per-month subscription plan for TV content delivered via iTunes.

Those 100 million iTunes users might be a pretty tempting selling point for the US networks, especially if the report is true and the service wants to launch early next year.

This could also explain why Apple and AT&T were so unfriendly toward Sling Media's Sling Player.

If this is truly being considered, Disney is the most likely to jump on board, with ABC and ABC Family content. Disney has a strong tie to Apple with both Jobs and its past successes--Disney sold around $4 million worth of content in the first two months of its presence on iTunes back in 2005-and it has been the most forefront putting ABC content out on the Web and on platforms other than its own.

The report says the industry is giving it mixed reviews, and while not likely tied specifically to a device, the new Apple TV updates will likely help.

CBS will be a network to watch because it has perhaps the most to gain from a subscription service. The reason is because CBS offers a TV.com app for the iPhone, as well as the TV.com Web site for PC users, and it already streams a lot of its new show episodes for free. For the iPhone, these are broken up into segments that are good for watching on the go.

If the subscription service works the same way as movie rentals do, files that exist and work for only a small window of time, say a fortnight, perhaps--for this kind of service--CBS could get a better presence on mediums it is already comfortable with and also better revenues.

There are countless reports that Hulu is going to develop a for-pay premium model, but this is where Apple could once again walk into a new market and put out a more desirable service for the user.

Netflix and iTunes have shown that movies and older TV episodes work streamed, rented and downloaded on the Web. The proof is in the sheer number of services that have followed and devices that cater to these services.

How Apple Got Its Groove Back

It wouldn't be Apple without a little music news, so part of the company's new push on iTunes is a Music Movies section--and this ain't your grandma's show tunes.

Apple will launch a new marketing effort designed to drive music buyers to music-themed movies in its video store.

Apple has added a "Music" genre to its Movies section and landing page, which will feature music films like concerts, movies about bands, documentaries and music-focused feature films. 

One of the first exclusives is "It Might Get Loud," a documentary about guitar legends Jimmy Page, the Edge and Jack White, which iTunes will offer December 8-22, before it goes on sale on DVD.

So far, the service has picked up a slate of older music related films, including pieces on U2, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors.

Apple is looking to create a bridge between its biggest sales volume, music, and perhaps a bigger revenue-generator, movies.

The studios and the recording industry have to be happy about the focus. Estimates put the DVD sales of music-themed content down around 25% to 30% compared with this time last year (according to Digital Entertainment Group, total DVD sales are down around 14%), while digital movie sales and rentals have climbed roughly 20% so far this year.

Apple is pushing a lot of content to its platforms. Making Apple TV a central focus in all of these coming sales will help bring the set-top box into its own right. 

Apple unveils iPhone 4 to fend off Google.

Financial Mirror (Cyprus)

June 8, 2010

Apple Inc unveiled a new iPhone on Monday that goes on sale in scores of countries this year, preparing its fastest-ever global roll-out to try and stay a step ahead of rivals like Google Inc in a red-hot smartphone market.
CEO Steve Jobs showed off a redesigned $199 "iPhone 4" that is a quarter slimmer than the current handset. The device boasts a higher quality screen and better battery life, video chat via Wi-Fi, and a gyroscope sensor for improved gaming.
A slim but energetic Jobs told a media and industry audience at Apple's annual developers' conference in San Francisco that the latest phone will be available June 24 in five countries, expanding to 18 by July and 88 by September in the quickest-ever international roll-out for an iPhone.
That signaled how serious Apple is about gaining traction abroad, where iPhone penetration is still relatively small.
Despite the iPad's success in its first two months on the market -- more than 2 million sold in 60 days -- the iPhone remains Apple's main growth line, and the international market is key. Some analysts estimate more than two-thirds of iPhone sales are now coming from overseas.
"It's really just a huge market unit opportunity abroad for the iPhone," Broadpoint Amtech analyst Brian Marshall said.
But many of the innovations on the iPhone 4 had been expected, and industry watchers say it is becoming more difficult to stand out in a crowded field.
Google's Android operating system -- used by many brands from Motorola Inc and HTC Corp to Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Dell Inc -- poses the biggest threat, analysts say.
The iPhone's global share surged to more than 15 percent in the first quarter, making it No. 3 in smartphones. Phones based on Android ranked No. 4 with close to 10 percent of the market, a huge increase from the previous year and gaining, Gartner data shows.
"There was nothing earth-shattering about what we saw or heard today," said CCS insight analyst John Jackson. "All of that said, you can't think it will be anything other than a phenomenal success."
Hudson Square Research analyst Daniel Ernst called the new device "more evolutionary than revolutionary."
"It doesn't completely change the paradigm for the iPhone," he said.
GOLD STANDARD
Still, Jobs argued the fourth-generation iPhone -- which for the first time sports the same A4 processor that powers the iPad -- marks the biggest technological leap since the first model debuted and set the standard.
"This is beyond a doubt the most precise thing and one of the most beautiful things we've ever made," Jobs said.
Apple's CEO displayed all of his famed skills as a pitchman, mixing wry wit with an obvious passion for Apple's products. He even joked about the iPhone prototype that fell into the hands of Gizmodo, which spilled many of its secrets.
Although the iPhone remains Apple's main growth driver, the iPad has stolen some of its thunder. With the early success of the tablet computer, Apple's stock has gained around 20 percent this year, overtaking Microsoft Corp to become the world's most valuable technology company.
Apple's shares fell 2 percent to close at $250.94 on the Nasdaq. Google shares fell 2.7 percent, while Research in Motion Ltd dropped 5.2 percent.
Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar noted that investors are likely waiting for Apple to expand its iPhone distribution to U.S. carriers beyond AT&T before getting excited.
"The next big event is going to be Verizon. It's a guessing game whether it will be late 2010 or early 2011," he said.
For now, the new device should be more profitable, given price and hardware specifications, Marshall said.
"I feel like we're going to see gross margins expand here on the iPhone," he said.
The iPhone -- introduced in 2007 with the touchscreen, on-demand application template now adopted by its rivals -- remains the gold standard in the fast-growing smartphone market.
Apple sold a record 8.75 million iPhones in its latest quarter, accounting for 40 percent of its revenue. With margins estimated at 60 percent, it is Apple's prime growth driver, helping margins climb to a record 41.7 percent in the most recent quarter from 34 percent in fiscal 2007.
Only last year, Research in Motion Ltd was seen as Apple's top rival. While the company's BlackBerry remains the smartphone of choice for many corporations that need fast email, Apple has made strides in that market.
Analysts said the latest iPhone incorporates new security features obviously targeted at business customers.
Apple's prime target remains the consumer. But there, new competitors are designing high-powered handsets based on Google's Android software, offering fast, web-surfing and video-enabled phones with access to thousands of apps.
Interpret analyst Michael Gartenberg said that the newest iPhone will manage to exert pressure on Google and rival handset-makers.