Apple, seeking new operating system, holds discussions with co-founder Jobs
Article Abstract:
Apple is negotiating with Be Inc and Next Inc over the potential buying or licensing of one of their respective operating systems. Apple is looking outside of the company for a new operating system due to the failure of its own software project, 'Copland.' Apple is also trying to complete negotiations by the first week in Jan 1997, when it hopes to announce its decision at the MacWorld trade show in San Francisco. Be's software is rumored to be Apple's primary choice for a new operating system. Be, headed by Apple's former chief of research and development, Jean-Louis Gassee, has been negotiating with Apple for almost six months. Apple and Be have agreed upon most issues except price. Apple has offered Be approximately $200 million, and Be is asking for $300 million. With time running out, Apple is also negotiating with its co-founder and former chairman, Steve Jobs. Jobs is the founder of Next Inc, and Apple is rumored to be interested in licensing Next's NextStep operating system.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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Next Software, the $400 million apple of Apple's Eye, lacks operating profit
Article Abstract:
Next Software Inc. has continually experienced operating losses since 1993 when it reported a $40.2 million net loss on $14.2 million in revenue. Next has also reported an $801,000 net loss on $46.8 million in 1995, and an $8.5 million net loss on revenue of $21.7 million through Jun 1996. Next's reported $1 million profit on $49.5 million in revenue in 1994 is attributed to the $17.5 million in licensing fees Next obtained, primarily from Sun Microsystems, in a one-time licensing agreement. Despite the fact that Next's software sales are reported to have increased 13% through Jun 1996 from the same period in 1995, Apple's decision on Dec 20, 1996, to pay almost $400 million for the floundering software company, surprises some experts. Apple plans to provide Next's OS as the software foundation for its upcoming computers.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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Top Next engineer faces a big task: make Apple bloom; after computer firms meld, can Avie Tevanian perform operating-system rescue?
Article Abstract:
Next Software Inc's VP of engineering Avie Tevanian faces a difficult task in his new job overseeing the development of a new Apple OS. Tevanian acquired this role when Apple purchased Next in an effort to obtain new OS technology. The development project involves integrating Next software with usable components of Copland, Apple's failed OS. Tevanian may experience some trouble in supervising Apple engineers, whose absorption in their own projects has been said to delay production. Shipping products quickly is one of Tevanian's primary goals. Apple, which needs to interest software developers in creating new applications for its products, hopes to release its new OS by the end of 1997. Lack of confidence in Apple's ability to produce a viable OS was evident in the $.25 drop in its stock price on Dec 23, 1996.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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