Is Pippin a breakthrough or outmoded on arrival?

Article Abstract:

The Pippin PowerPC-based system from Apple and Bandai Company faces a difficult market, since it combines the features of a PC with those of a video game machine. The Pippin will first go on sale in Japan in Mar 1996, with a US launch to follow. The system runs special CD-ROMs, displaying output on a television set. Users operate Pippin with a hand-held controller. The operating system is a simplified version of the Macintosh OS, and the Pippin offers links to the Internet. However, the Pippin does not have the graphics support for fast-paced video games, and it can have problems displaying Web pages, because televisions have lower resolution screens than computers. A keyboard comes as an option; without it, users must employ a trackball to select letters from an on-screen display. These drawbacks, combined with the Pippin's relatively high price of $620, mean that many software developers are wary about supporting the Pippin.

Product information, Marketing, Consumer electronics industry, PowerPC-based system, Macintosh computers, PowerPC based computers, PowerPC processors, Product marketing strategy, Bandai Company Ltd., Product Description Specification, Apple Pippin (Information appliance)

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Packard Bell selling NEC a big stake; leading PC vendors in U.S. and Japan link

Article Abstract:

NEC is planning to purchase a 20% stake in Packard Bell for $170 million in an effort to build a relationship between the leading computer vendors in Japan and the US. The NEC investment would be a significant benefit for Packard Bell, which has climbed to the top of the personal computer market using a strategy in which the company sells its systems through mass merchants such as Sears and Wal-Mart Stores. The investment would also help NEC, which has been faced with new competition in Japan from companies such as IBM and Compaq and is interested in stabilizing its market share in its domestic market. NEC is also interested in expanding its market share in foreign markets where it has not been particularly strong. The investment agreement would include an alliance that would include the joint purchase of parts, joint production and distribution and joint use of marketing channels.

Company investment, Investments, NEC Corp., Packard Bell NEC Inc.

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Japanese will make a Mac-compatible PC

Article Abstract:

Pioneer Electronic Corp will announce on Feb 15, 1995 that it will become the third company overall, and first Japanese company to license and manufacture Macintosh technology from Apple. The company, which does not currently make computers, decided to enter the Macintosh market in order to gain a foot hold in the growing multimedia-equiped personal computer boom. The company will manufacture its Mac clone with audio and video playback features, and initially target the Japanese market. The other two companies that have agreed to manufacture Mac clones are US-based Power Computing and Radius Inc. For years Apple refused to allow other companies to license its technology, but in Sept 1994 it changed course by announcing that it would allow Mac clones to be made. The company's decision is designed to increase the Macintosh's market share from the current 10% of the market.

Licensing agreements, Company licensing agreement, Pioneer Electronic Corp., PIO

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