IBM-Apple Announcements

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APf 07/03 1333 IBM-Deals

Copyright, 1991. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. By The Associated Press

Here is a look at recent agreements International Business Machines Corp. has forged with other computer makers in the past few weeks:

--June 18: IBM announces it will invest up to $100 million in financially troubled Wang Laboratories Inc. of Lowell, Mass. Meanwhile, Wang will resell IBM computers and cut back on its own computer manufacturing to concentrate on developing office software and computer imaging products that will run on IBM computers.

--June 24: IBM and Lotus Development Corp. of Cambridge, Mass., team up in a venture expanding IBM's line of office software while giving more exposure to Lotus products. Under the agreement, IBM will sell Lotus' Notes program, which allows groups of people to share information through computer networks, as well as Lotus' electronic mail product, cc:Mail.

--June 24: IBM and Borland International Inc. of Scotts Valley, Calif., enter an alliance to develop and sell certain software to work with a new version of IBM's OS-2 operating system.

--July 3: IBM and Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., announce a broad agreement to share technology. The deal includes a joint venture in computer software that will simplify computer programming, and integration of Apple's highly successful Macintosh computer design into IBM systems.


APf 07/03 1314 Business News Digest

Copyright, 1991. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Thursday AMs:

Here are the top business stories at this hour. Jill Arabas is the supervisor. If you have questions about the spot news and feature report, call AP Business News at 212-621-1686.

APPLE-IBM:

The Unthinkable Alliance Between Computer Giants Becomes Reality

NEW YORK -- Former enemies Apple Computer and IBM join forces in a broad agreement that could reshape the future of the computer industry and make easy-to-use machines available to an expanded array of consumers and businesses. The friendship treaty between the two superpowers is the most dramatic example of increased cooperation among the giants of the business. "This is the most unthinkable alliance that has become thinkable in a very short time," one industry analyst says.

Slug AM-Apple-IBM. Developing. By Business Writer Rick Gladstone. Moving on FFF- and AAA-level news wires. Graphic.

Easier to Use Computers May Result from Superpower Pact

NEW YORK -- The alliance of Apple Computer Inc. and International Business Machines Inc. could result in easier-to-use personal computers and more graphically oriented big computers used in the corporate world, analysts say.

Slug AM-Apple-IBM-Users. Developing. By Business Writer Stefan Fatsis. Moving on FFF-level news wires.

And the Big Loser Could Be Microsoft

SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp.'s stock tumbles on news of an agreement between Apple Computer and IBM. Microsoft long has been a major provider of software for the two computer companies, but its relations with both have cooled recently.


Slug AM-Microsoft. Developing. By Business Writer George Tibbits. Moving on FFF-level news wires.

With:

  --BC-Apple-Glance and BC-IBM-Glance.
  --BC-Apple-IBM-Deal, a glance on the agreement.
  --BC-IBM-Deals, a glance on IBM's agreements with its competitors.
  --BC-Apple-IBM-Impact, a glance rounding up impact on users, industry and the markets.


OTC 07/03 1311 MICROSOFT MOVES AHEAD WITH PLANS TO LICENSE, SHIP

REDMOND, WA (JULY 3) BUSINESS WIRE - Microsoft Corp. is extending contracts for current licenses of OS/2 version 1.3 to allow computer manufacturers (OEMs) to sell version 2.0 when it begins shipping sometime around the end of the year.

Microsoft said the extended contracts will allow OEMs to stay competitive with IBM Corp. in terms of pricing and availability.

OS/2 is developed as part of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between Microsoft and IBM. The two companies announced last fall that IBM was taking over development of version 2.0 while Microsoft focused on version 3.0. IBM has announced plans to ship version 2.0 before the end of 1990. Microsoft's OEMs will be able to ship OS/2 at the same time.

Under the JDA, Microsoft will provide OEMs with exactly the same OS/2 code that IBM ships. This means that products such as OS/2 Extended Services/2 and OfficeVision will run on OS/2 from other manufacturers.

"IBM, recognizing the speed with which customers are moving to Windows applications, is promising that this first release of 2.0 will provide 'better Windows than Windows,' and has defined running Windows 3.0 applications as a requirement for OS/2 to succeed," said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft senior vice president, systems software. "We are pleased that IBM has taken to heart the need to do a great job of supporting Windows users in the first release of OS/2 2.0, but we believe IBM's commitment is very aggressive."

More than 50 OEMs license OS/2 version 1.x from Microsoft, and Microsoft expects them to offer version 2.0.

"Microsoft wrote the bulk of version 2.0, prior to our handing it over to IBM " Ballmer said. "OS/2 1.3 and LAN Manager form a foundation for server applications, and OS/2 2.0 needs to continue that tradition."

Microsoft is the only vendor to supply OEMs with a full line of Intel-based operating systems -- DOS(a), Windows, and OS/2. Microsoft will enable OEM customers to easily offer all these systems, and market forces can determine their respective success. Microsoft strategy and focus for the desktop remains centered on Windows.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, network products, languages and applications, as well as books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the microcomputer marketplace.

   CONTACT:  Microsoft Corp., Redmond 
   Marty Taucher, 206/882-8080 
   For General Sales and Product Information, 800/426-9400 
             or 
   Waggener Edstrom, Portland, Ore. 
   Collins Hemingway, Pam Edstrom, 503/245-0905 


Reut 07/03 1032 NASDAQ SHARES SHARPLY LOWER IN MORNING TRADE

NEW YORK, July 3, Reuter - A sharp selloff in Microsoft and weakness in the blue chips hammered the U.S. over-the-counter market, traders said.

The NASDAQ index tumbled 3.66 to 475.12 on about 16 mln shares. Losers led gainers by two to one.

"It was like a free fall," said Bob Antolini at Donaldson Lufkin Jenerette, referring to the wave of selling on the open. "Microsoft dragged down other big-name tech stocks."

Microsoft tumbled 4-7/8 to 63-1/4 after IBM and Apple Computer announced an agreement to form a new system software company which will be in direct competition with Microsoft. Apple Computer jumped 1-1/8 to 43-1/2.

Mentor Graphic dropped 2-1/8 to 13-3/4. The company said late Tuesday it expected its second quarter loss to exceed the first quarter loss.

Intel, which fell 2-5/8 on Tuesday, eased another 3/8 to 42-3/8. Sun Microsystems, another battered technology stock, fell 1/4 to 26-1/4. Novell lost 7/8 at 48-3/4. Adobe System was off 3/8 at 44-1/8.

U.S. Bancorp fell 1-7/8 to 26 after it said its second quarter earnings would fall behind the first quarter's.--NCW


APn 07/03 1157 Apple-IBM

Copyright, 1991. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. By RICK GLADSTONE

AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Apple Computer and IBM, historic antagonists in the computer industry, officially ended that bitter relationship today with a broad agreement on technology-sharing.

Breaking their silence after weeks of speculation, Apple and International Business Machines Corp. announced general principles of the agreement, which will combine the strengths of both to "integrate into existing and future products."

Apple's stock jumped $1.25 a share on the news to $43.50 in nationwide over-the-counter trading this morning. IBM's stock fell 37.5 cents a share to $98.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.

The agreement amounts to a friendship treaty between the two superpowers in the computer industry, which has been particularly hurt by the recession. Both companies have reported sharply lower earnings recently, trimmed their work forces and promoted lower-priced machines to boost sales.

Perhaps more important, the alliance could herald what industry analysts call an era of easy-to-use computers, resulting from the marketing pre-eminence of IBM and the creativity of Apple, which revolutionized personal computers with its user-friendly Macintosh machines.

"I think it's a very interesting and powerful force," said Barry Bosak, who follows the computer industry for Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co. in New York. "Here are two companies that represent 40 percent of the industry joining together."

Apple and IBM said the agreement calls for a joint venture in computer software aimed at simplifying programming industrywide; integration of Apple's highly successful Macintosh computer design into IBM systems; the design and application of powerful new computer chips provided by Motorola Inc.; and the promotion of software for multimedia technology, one of the fastest growing segments of computers.

In a statement, the companies said definitive contracts between the two are expected to be signed later this year and further details would be released later. Products resulting from the deal should reach the market over the next two or three years, the statement said.

Analysts said the software and chip elements of the agreement were particularly significant because they pose a formidable challenge to the current leaders. Microsoft Corp. dominates the market in in software and Intel Corp. dominates in chips, the basic components of a computer's brain.

After the deal was announced, Microsoft tumbled $4.75 a share to $63.375 in over-the-counter trading and Intel fell 62.5 cents a share to $42.25.

For Apple, a 15-year-old Silicon Valley success story that prides itself on independence, joining forces with IBM amounts to a major reversal of attitude toward the world's largest computer company, which Apple executives once derided as an arrogant behemoth. The agreement presumably will give Apple greater access to a vast market dominated by IBM machines.

For IBM, which once rejected collaboration with smaller competitors, the pact with Apple represents the most far-reaching move yet by the company to develop relationships with other computer companies, part of an effort to become more responsive and adaptable.

IBM recently announced cooperative ventures with Wang Laboratories Inc., Lotus Development Corp. and a smaller software concern, Borland International Inc.

Computer industry analysts have said they expect to see more cooperative relationships between computer companies because the industry is maturing and no single company has the resources to develop major products alone.

Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., is one of the leading producers of personal computer systems, with manufacturing sites in California, Europe and Asia and more than 15,000 employees.

IBM, with headquarters in Armonk, N.Y., is the largest computer company in the world and the fourth-largest U.S. industrial corporation, with revenues exceeding $69 billion last year. It has more than 373,000 employees worldwide.


OTC 07/03 1153 IBM, APPLE ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO JOINTLY CREATE

... NEW YORK (JULY 3) UPI - International Business Machines Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. said Wednesday the two computer giants have signed a letter of intent to jointly create new software products.

IBM and Apple said they will develop and market new technologies that both companies will put into existing and future products as well as offer for use on other manufacturers' computers.

The companies said letter of intent covers four areas of understanding:

-The companies will work on a joint venture to create software applicable from laptop to large computers.

-IBM and Apple will work to integrate Apple's Macintosh into IBM's system. The companies said they will also develop and market an advanced operating system combining the best of IBM and Macintosh.

-Apple plans to adopt use of IBM's microprocessor in future Macintosh personal computers. Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola Inc. and IBM will design and manufacture a new family of chips.

-The companies will have common platforms for the industry, working to create and license software that will stimulate widespread industry development of this new technology.

Apple is based in Cupertino, Calif. IBM has its headquarters in Armonk, N.Y.


UPne 07/03 1145 IBM, Apple announce agreement

NEW YORK (UPI) -- International Business Machines Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. said Wednesday the two computer giants have signed a letter of intent to jointly create new software products.

IBM and Apple said they will develop and market new technologies that both companies will put into existing and future products as well as offer for use on other manufacturers' computers.

The companies said letter of intent covers four areas of understanding:

--The companies will work on a joint venture to create software applicable from laptop to large computers.

--IBM and Apple will work to integrate Apple's Macintosh into IBM's system. The companies said they will also develop and market an advanced operating system combining the best of IBM and Macintosh.

--Apple plans to adopt use of IBM's microprocessor in future Macintosh personal computers. Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola Inc. and IBM will design and manufacture a new family of chips.

--The companies will have common platforms for the industry, working to create and license software that will stimulate widespread industry development of this new technology.

Apple is based in Cupertino, Calif. IBM has its headquarters in Armonk, N.Y.


UPn 07/03 1154 IBM, Apple announce agreement

NEW YORK (UPI) -- International Business Machines Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. said Wednesday the two computer giants have signed a letter of intent to create new software products together and integrate Apple's Macintosh into the IBM system.

IBM and Apple said they will develop and market new technologies that both companies will put into existing and future products as well as offer for use on other manufacturers' computers.

The companies' letter of intent covers four areas:

--They will work on a joint venture to create software applicable from laptop to large computers.

--IBM and Apple will work to integrate Apple's Macintosh into IBM's system. The companies said they will also develop an advanced operating system combining the best of IBM and Macintosh.

--Apple plans to adopt use of IBM's microprocessor in future Macintosh personal computers. Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola Inc. and IBM will design and manufacture a new family of chips.

--The companies will have common platforms for the industry, working to create and license software that will stimulate widespread industry development of this new technology.

Apple is based in Cupertino, Calif. IBM has its headquarters in Armonk, N.Y.