Why Apple sees Next as a match made in heaven
Article Abstract:
The surprising acquisition of Next Software Inc by Apple started with an idea by Next product manager John Landwehr, who originally called Apple chief technical officer Ellen Hancock about acquiring Next and the NextStep operating system. Landwehr knew that Apple was shopping for operating system technology, and decided to pitch Nextstep operating system, without first discussing his idea with Next CEO Steven Jobs, who was the co-founder of Apple. Apple will need to convince users and software developers that the Next-Macintosh hybrid operating system will be powerful enough to compete with Microsoft's Windows 95 and NT. They will also have to convince software developers to re-write code for existing software, a process many developers went through in 1991 when Apple adopted the PowerPC chip. Many programmers speak highly of the elegant Nextstep operating system, which has failed to gain market acceptance.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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Changing guard at Apple: the board says 'enough'; shareholder worries finally seal chief's fate
Article Abstract:
Apple's board of directors vote to remove CEO Michael Spindler and instate Gilbert F Amelio as CEO and board chairman, responding to a 4th qtr 1995 $68 million loss and shareholders' cries for Spindler's dismissal. The fact that it took Apple 10 days to determine Spindler's fate after the shareholders' meeting is indicative of the company's inability to act decisively. Apple has been beset by managerial and production difficulties in recent years, and the combination of misgauging consumer demand and the company's naturally high development costs has impaired Apple's profitability. Recent defections of important technological engineers and executives to competing companies has also debilitated Apple's stability. However, analysts suggest the Amelio is confident about resolving Apple's manufacturing difficulties.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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