APPLE COMPUTER/MICROSOFT: Apple and Microsoft celebrate first anniversary of alliance on Macintosh

   Apple and Microsoft celebrate first anniversary of alliance on Macintosh (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD RDATE:080798 At the opening keynote address at Macworld Expo New York, Apple Computer, Inc. and Microsoft Corp. celebrated the progress made since the two companies announced their milestone alliance one year ago at Macworld Expo Boston.

   The new spirit of cooperation brought on by the agreement resulted in the unprecedented success of Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition, integration of the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser in Apple's new iMac and Mac OS 8.1, and convergence of Java technologies on the Macintosh platform. All of this has contributed to the renewed vitality of the Macintosh platform over the past year.

    "Although our relationship was first met with boos at Macworld a year ago, it has blossomed and is delivering some really great products to our joint customers," said Steve Jobs, Apple's interim CEO. "Our colleagues at Microsoft continue to demonstrate that they're genuinely interested in creating great Macintosh products such as Microsoft Office 98 and Internet Explorer 4.0.

    " Ben Waldman, general manager of the Macintosh business unit at Microsoft, added, "Microsoft believes that Macintosh is a great platform for applications and leading-edge Internet technologies, and we're especially excited about Apple's new iMac, which complements our efforts to make Microsoft products easier for consumers to use."

    "The agreement made between Apple and Microsoft nearly one year ago has truly impacted the Macintosh industry in a positive way," said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, Inc. "The new spirit of cooperation between the two companies has been a key factor in Apple's comeback and successful product introductions over the past year. As a long-time Apple follower and supporter of the Macintosh platform, I look forward to additional progress in the coming year." 

     The Apple and Microsoft collaboration has delivered the following key results: Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition Launched in January, Office 98 sets a new standard for applications for the Macintosh by providing deep integration with the operating system and support for key Apple technologies such as QuickTime. With features unique to Macintosh, Microsoft Office 98 continues to gain broad customer support, already outshipping its predecessor by 36 percent in comparable quarters. 

     As a continued result of their reinvigorated relationship, Apple and Microsoft today announced a new promotion enabling every Apple iMac customer in the U.S. to receive a U.S. $100 rebate when they license Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition.* The promotion brings added benefit to Apple and Microsoft's mutual Macintosh customers by jointly addressing the technology needs and cost sensitivities of consumers. The promotion will begin Aug. 15, 1998, and run through Dec. 31, 1998. Microsoft Internet Explorer Integrated in Apple's New iMac and Mac OS 8.1 Mac OS 8.1, released in January 1998, includes Microsoft Internet Explorer as the default browser. Since the companies began collaborating last August, users of Internet Explorer on the Macintosh platform increased by 28 percentage points. 

     Today, Apple also announced that Internet Explorer 4.01 and Outlook Express 4.01 will come with iMac. Single Java VM for Macintosh This March, both companies announced plans to converge their Java technologies to create a single Java Virtual Machine (VM) for Mac OS. The unified VM will be based on Apple's Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ) and will incorporate a variety of Microsoft technologies for Java. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. 

     The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. 

     Apple is now recommitted to its original mission - to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world. * Customers will receive an in-box rebate coupon for U.S. $100 on their first licensing of Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition from Aug. 15 through Dec. 31, 1998. 

     Offer good in the United States only. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh and QuickTime are registered trademarks and iMac is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft and Outlook are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.