Apple Developer News

Corel Corporation, a dyed-in-the-wool developer of software for Windows, recently ported its first product to the Mac OS platform, and Corel is very pleased with the results: In the first four months of CorelDRAW shipments, sales exceeded all expectations, bringing in U.S.$7 million in revenues. In an article in the May 1997 issue of Apple Directions (page 14), a Corel manager discusses his cross-platform development experience and theories on why Corel products have been selling so well in the Mac OS market. The article is posted at this web site:

The Nua Internet Surveys web site is a refreshing reminder of why the Internet is so great. This web site features a comprehensive, well-organized directory of just about every research report and survey that's been published on Internet users. It also includes a wealth of European and international Internet user data and a free monthly newsletter. If you market Internet-related software, don't lose the URL of this award-winning site:

If you market products in Europe, you might find it useful to subscribe to the PC Europa Newsletter, a channel newsletter that covers microcomputer product news in Europe. Published 20 times a year, PC Europa contains news, national surveys, and information on Pan-European trends. PC Europa Online is posted at this web site:

In an interview in the May 2 issue of MacWEEK, Apple CEO Gilbert Amelio outlined Apple's positions on operating systems and licensing. Speaking to the editors of MacWEEK and MacUser, Amelio said that "the Yellow Box, based on OpenStep, ... while optimized for the PowerPC processor, will be portable to the Intel platform and able to sit on top of either Windows 95 or NT." He said "the Windows 95 port is nearly complete and will probably be shown at the WWDC. Rhapsody developers writing with the [Yellow Box] APIs will be able to take applications over to Intel-standard PCs without having to rewrite them."

To read the complete article, visit this MacWEEK web site:

Targeting the needs of mobile professionals who require lightweight, yet powerful portable computing solutions, Apple just announced the Macintosh PowerBook 2400c notebook computer. The smallest, lightest system running the Mac OS today, the PowerBook 2400c weighs just 4.4 pounds, yet offers a powerful 180 MHz PowerPC processor and a full range of built-in ports for easy network connectivity. Originally created with the Japanese customer in mind, this high-end PCI-based PowerBook 2400c was designed by Apple with collaboration from IBM Japan as part of an OEM agreement. For more details on this new PowerBook, see the full press release:

This week Apple announced three new ways in which customers can purchase its popular eMate 300 mobile computer. Until now, eMate was only available to K-12 institution customers. Now parents of K-12 students, college students, teachers, and university faculty members can purchase the product directly from Apple or from a campus reseller. For more information, read the Apple press release:

Apple just introduced the new high-performance AppleVision 850 AV and AppleVision 850 color displays for publishers, multimedia authors, photographers, and other professionals who rely on consistent visual performance and color accuracy, as well as for users who need a large, high-resolution display. Both displays incorporate Apple's DigitalColor technology for state-of-the-art color accuracy, which is achieved through a patented internal calibration system that adjusts color over time with minimal user interaction. The displays support Apple's ColorSync technology for color matching across devices such as color printers and scanners by allowing display profiles to be created at any time. Both displays also feature extensive, easy-to-use software control of screen geometry, mode switching, and color settings.

For availability, price, and configuration details, see the full press release:

The May 2 issue of MacWEEK included encouraging news about the status of Game Sprockets, Apple's game development API (application programming interface). Mark Gavini, Apple's games evangelist, said, "Apple does not plan to port Sprockets." Instead, he told ADN, Apple is designing new APIs that duplicate the functionality of Game Sprockets within the Rhapsody operating system. In the MacWEEK article, he added, "Games that run on the Mac OS using the Sprockets will run in Rhapsody's compatibility 'Blue Box' with no modification."

This week Macworld magazine also expressed optimism about Apple's new game strategy, saying, "Despite earlier reports to the contrary, Apple will continue to support Apple Game Sprockets and is planning new games APIs for Rhapsody. It's enough to make some games developers hopeful."

To read the MacWEEK article, visit this web site:

To review the Macworld article on games, as well as a list of game developers presenting new Mac OS games this year, see this web site:

This week the CNET news service posted two favorable reviews of Apple CPUs. A review of the Power Macintosh 9600/200 computer says, "Apple may be taking a beating, but the new Power Mac 9600/200 demonstrates that the company isn't down for the count when it comes to engineering. True, Power Computing's PowerTower Pro 225 temporarily dazed Apple at the high end, but with the Power Mac 9600, Apple comes off the ropes swinging." In its review of Apple's newest low-end CPU, CNET says that the Power Mac 4400/200 "proves that Apple can build powerful, low-end Macs that compete successfully with the clones."

You can read both of these reviews at these web sites:

Apple just announced the finalists for its second annual Human Interface Design Excellence (HIDE) Award contest for Mac OS developers. The HIDE Awards illustrate Apple's continued support for the Mac OS developer community. This award recognizes superior software in the areas of innovation, elegance, look and feel, and overall design. Apple called for contest entries earlier this year, and will announce winners and runners-up at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Tuesday, May 13, at 7:20 p.m. in Room A-1 of the San Jose Convention Center.

Here are the finalists for the 1997 HIDE Awards (listed alphabetically):

• Adobe Illustrator 6.0, by Adobe Systems
• AMBER: Journeys Beyond 1.0, by Changeling
• CalcWorks 1.5.2, by John Brochu
• Kai's Power Goo 1.0, by MetaTools
• Starry Night Deluxe 2.0, by Sienna Software
• Symantec Visual Cafe for Macintosh 1.0, by Symantec Corporation
• YOYO Telephone Manager for Macintosh 1.5.1, by Big Island Communications

You can read the full HIDE press release at this web site:

This week Apple signed a deal with Cupertino city officials to make Cupertino, California, the home of Apple's corporate headquarters. (Apple currently has retail operations scattered throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.) Terms of a five-year agreement call for Apple to consolidate retail sales operations within Cupertino in exchange for an approximate 25 percent return on sales tax revenues. According to Apple, this agreement could save Apple as much as U.S.$5 million to U.S.$10 million annually.

Apple is giving away a US Robotics 33.6-Kbps PC Card modem to customers who buy any PowerBook 1400 computer between April 15 and June 27, 1997. U.S. customers can submit a coupon, UPC label, and proof of purchase to Apple, and receive a free MegaHertz CruiseCard 33.6 Kbps Cellular-Capable PC Card Modem, made by US Robotics, plus a 50-hour America Online trial membership, and two months of Yahoo! Internet Life magazine--all at no charge. For details on this promotion, see this web site:

Developers who can't attend this week's Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in person can watch key technical sessions from home or the office through an Internet "webcast." But hurry--today (Friday, May 9) is the last day you can register for this offering.

For just U.S.$99, you can watch key sessions live using video-on-demand technology. On-demand video is also available the day following each session through May 31.

Here are more details on two WWDC events: the Hands-on Lab and the Mac OS General Feedback Forum.

The Mac OS 8 Hands-on Lab
Where: Room N, downstairs from the main atrium

Apple will host a Hands-on Lab staffed with Mac OS 8 system software engineers Tuesday through Friday. Bring your code, cables, and any needed tools. A sign-up table with scheduled hours and tickets will be stationed up front, so make sure to book a session early in the conference.

Lab Hours are:

Tue: Noon - 6 p.m.
Wed: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thu: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Mac OS General Feedback Forum, Session 190
When: Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:30
Where: Room J4

The Mac OS Feedback Forum is different this year. This year, while engineers will be present, the panel will also include some Mac OS executive decision makers, including:

Steve Glass, Vice President, Mac OS Engineering
Jim Gable, Platform Marketing
David Schmitt, Allegro Product Marketing Manager
Peter Lowe, Mac OS 8 Product Marketing Manager
Avie Tevanian, Senior Vice President

WebBytes--POINTERS TO MORE NEWS AND SOFTWARE

"AppleJedi has earned the MACnificent award-of-excellence in recognition of its leadership in the presentation of information on Macintosh computers and Macintosh-based products," reads the award, posted at this web site: