APPLE COMPUTER SHIPS VERSION 1.1 OF THE APPLE MEDIA KIT WITH NEW FEATURES, NEW LICENSING AND REDUCED PRICES

 

          Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS: AAPL) announced today that

 version 1.1 of the Apple Media Kit, the company's cross-platform multimedia

 authoring tool, is now available.  The Kit, which is comprised of the Apple

 Media Tool for designers and the Apple Media Tool Programming Environment

 for programmers, won the MacUser Eddy Award for Best New Multimedia

 Software of 1993.  The new features in version 1.1 of the Kit significantly

 improve the designer's and programmer's ability to assemble and add 

 interactivity to sound, picture, text and movie files.  In addition, Apple

 is announcing a new licensing structure and a reduced price for the Kit. 

        "This announcement underscores our commitment to provide

 multimedia developers with innovative tools that fit and enhance

 the multimedia development process," said Gaston Bastiaens, vice

 president and general manager of Apple's Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) division. "The Apple Media Kit is

 currently being used as the authoring tool for a broad range of multimedia projectsranging from educational titles

 to interactive networked kiosks and we expect the enhanced features in this new version of the Kit to stimulate

 additional development." 

         New Features of the Apple Media Tool. 

         In response to user feedback, and in order to give designers and producers more power and flexibility in

 the project development process, the Tool includes a number of new features.  Among these are support for scrolling

 text and PICT files and the ability to assign QuickTime controllers to movies.  Additionally, a cross platform

 utility has been added that checks media files for compatibility with the Microsoft Windows platform and converts

 them, if necessary. 

    Enhanced Apple Media Tool Programming Environment. 

    The Apple Media Tool Programming Environment (PE), the fully object-oriented programming language and framework

 that allows programmers to add functionality to projects created with the Apple Media Tool, has new features

 as well. Version 1.1 of the PE has twice as many classes (a class is a set of tools or capabilities) as version 1.0, thus it provides programmers with a richer development 

 environment. These classes have also been enhanced to support the new Tool features. For a complete list of the enhanced Tool and PE features, please refer to the Fact

 Sheet which is available by calling Apple Facts at 1-800-227-5329, enter PIN number 6172. 

    In addition, both the Tool and the PE now ship with a demo CD that provides an electronic version of the technical documentation, as well as sample code and

 several demo projects.  The CD also contains a demo version of the Tool, which allows designers to create a project without generating a runtime.  This CD-ROM

 is also available in the United States independently of the Kit for US$10 plus shipping and handling. To order the CD, call 1-800-371-0612. 

    Pricing 

    The Apple Media Tool is available for US$795, the Apple Media Tool Programming Environment is US$995 and the Apple Media Kit, which includes both the Tool

 and the Programming Environment, is US$1,495. These price reductions reflect the unbundling of technical support, which is now available for the Programming

 Environment through the PIE Developer Program.  For more information about this program, call 408-974-4897.  Support for the Apple Media Tool is available by

 calling 1-800-767-2775.  Special higher education pricing will be available as well.  Qualified customers should contact their local Apple educational

 representative for more information. 

    Upgrade Policy and Availability 

    Version 1.1 of the Apple Media Kit will be sent free to all registered users of version 1.0.  The Apple Media Kit, as well as its separate components, is

 available through APDA, Apple's source for developer tools, by calling 1-800-282-2732 (U.S.), 1-800-637-0029 (Canada), or 716-871-6555 (International). 

    Licensing 

    In response to customer's feedback to make licensing simpler and more affordable, Apple has bundled the runtime license of the Apple Media Kit with

 QuickTime and QuickTime for Windows.  This single license, valid for three years, is available for enterprise and commercial publishers at a flat fee of $500

 per title.  For multimedia developers, educational institutions and non-profit organizations there is no royalty fee. 

    Company Background 

    Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Apple Computer, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets personal computer, server and personal interactive electronic

 systems for use in business, education, homes, science, engineering and government.  A recognized pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple

 does business in more than 120 countries around the world. 

    NOTE:Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, and APDA are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  QuickTime and ResEdit are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. 

  Peter's Magic Adventure is a trademark of SA. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are

 respectfully acknowledged. 

    NOTE TO EDITORS:For a complete list of the new Tool and Programming Environment features included in version 1.1 of the Apple Media Kit, as well as specifics

 about the demo CD, please call Apple Facts 1-800-227-5329 enter PIN number 6172. 

    CONTACT:  Jeni Johnstone of Regis McKenna, 408-974-2589, for Apple 

    (AAPL)