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Jobs
outlined modest expectations for
the Macintosh that he had so
proudly christened as "insanely
great" years earlier.
He said the company will focus on its two strongest markets, education and graphic design, where the Macintosh still has majority market shares. Macs make up about 60 percent of computers used in education and more than 80 percent of those used in graphic design, according to Jobs. Moreover, he said, the two markets are growing at more than 20 percent per year. To underscore his remarks, Jobs spoke within distance of the old Apple logo garnished with a new sentiment: "Think Different." |
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Date: 07/09 5:31 PM From: Gil Amelio, amelio.g@apple.com To: Apple employees everywhere Today, Apple announced my resignation as Chairman and CEO of Apple Computer effective immediately. I will remain an employee, but not an officer, until September 27, 1997, in order to effect a smooth transition. I joined Apple on February 2, 1996, following a successful tenure as Chairman, President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corporation. I did so because as a Board member of Apple it had become increasingly clear that the company was entering a period of extreme crisis and the very survival of the company as an independent entity was in question. Someone had to take on the task of trying to bring Apple back to health. As we came to discover, Apple actually faced five crises from the outset: (1) a shortage of cash and liquidity, (2) poor quality products, (3) a lack of a viable operating system strategy, (4) a corporate culture lacking in accountability and discipl! ine, and (5) fragmentation - trying to do too much and in too many directions. These issues persisted notwithstanding a number of extremely talented contributors. Much of my time at Apple has been about confronting these and other matters. I am very confident that the decisions and actions taken have been the right ones. Today, these problems are either resolved or well on the way to being addressed. Today, Apple has the strongest product line-up in the history of the company. Today, we have an exciting operating system strategy and we are on the eve of announcing Mac OS 8 which has received very favorable reviews during beta testing. Rhapsody, our industrial strength operating system, is close behind and will establish a new paradigm in operating system architecture. Today, we have the strongest management team in recent history. And today, we have a cost structure more in line with achievable revenues. It has been very difficult, but much has been accomplished in the! last 17 months as I believe will become increasingly evident in the months and quarters ahead. Apple's next phase, and remaining challenge, is to follow through flawlessly on the programs we have launched and to rebuild the sales volume. I am confident that the team in place can handle this mission. On a personal note, I look forward to once again being able to spend a little more time with my family. My time at Apple has been exciting and fulfilling. We have made great progress. It is now time to realize the value made possible by this work for all Apple stakeholders. Thank you for your unwavering support during my time here ... it made the demands less formidable. I lovingly leave Apple in your care. Good luck, I'll be cheering from the sidelines! Respectfully, Gil |
Mac OS upgrades this week |
Harmony adds support for the Internet, several Apple graphics technologies such as QuickDraw 3D, and some cosmetic user interface changes originally slated for Copland, according to Jim Gable, Apple's senior director for system software product marketing. Harmony is due by the end of the year, he said.
Harmony was designed to keep the peace with Macintosh users who have been clamouring for Copland, which has been renamed Mac OS 8. Harmony will include support for QuickTime 2.5, QuickDraw 3D, OpenDoc and Cyberdog.
It also will incorporate other Mac OS 8 features, including the ability to navigate and manage files by using tabbed folders. Harmony will add new features, but users will be able to run their existing Macintosh software without modification.
[Copyright 1996 Computerworld Today, IDG Communications Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.]
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