Beyond the PC: Apple's promised land: John Sculley, a big winner of late, dreams of do-it-all devices. But will he get there?

Article Abstract:

Apple's chief technology officer John Sculley wants his company to lead the consolidation of the computer, consumer electronics, communications and information industries by producing devices capable of performing functions relevant to all of the industries. Sculley led Apple through microcomputer price-cutting to become the industry's largest market share holder, but consolidation of four major industries will involve a new generation for computers, and few companies survive generation changes. The company's goals include expanding from microcomputers to servers and hand-held computers. Apple's first foray into the hand-held computer market will be the Newton, but success may be more difficult than the company planned. Marketing and product delays have convinced consumers that Apple will not deliver all it promised, and analysts say the Newton will provide too few features to be successful. Apple is also unclear about whether to control software for its hand-held computers or to make the computers accessible for other developers, since their support will be essential.

Handheld computers, Marketing, AAPL, Laptop computers, Portable computers, Apple Inc., Management Style, Laptop/Portable Computer, Executive, Strategic Planning, Hand-Held Computers, Expansion, Sculley, John, File Server

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I.B.M. executive named Western Digital president

Article Abstract:

Charles A. Haggerty resigns his senior position at IBM to become president and COO of Western Digital Corp, based in Irvine, CA. The 50-year-old Haggerty served most recently as vice president of IBM's efforts to sell disk-drive products to other computer makers. During his 22 years with IBM, Haggerty held many positions, including plant manager, site general manager and vice president of worldwide operations for the IBM AS/400 minicomputer family. Haggerty expects Western Digital to return soon to profitability after almost two years of financial difficulties. The company manufactures semiconductor chip sets and graphics chips for IBM-compatible computers, also sells 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch disks for microcomputers. Haggerty will report directly to Western Digital Chmn and CEO Roger W. Johnson, and will be responsible for the firm's sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing activities.

Semiconductors and related devices, Computer storage devices, International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Appointments, resignations and dismissals, Western Digital Corp., WDC, Computer storage device industry, Chief operating officers, New Appointment, Resignation

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Computing's peacemaker; a curious sort of statesman nudges A.T.&T. into computer competition

Article Abstract:

Robert Kavner, head of AT & T's computer division, is pushing the telecommunications giant into the computer industry on the strength of its UNIX operating system product. The computer industry is looking for standardization, which would allow computers to be easily linked into networks. AT & T is offering a new, standardized version of UNIX, although the standard has not been widely adopted. At present, UNIX is the only operating system available for all classes of computers, and UNIX could be the dominant product for users of all types of computers. The new version of UNIX was developed by AT & T and Sun Microsystems Inc as a result of a joint agreement that caused other computer manufacturers to fear dominance by the two. AT & T and Sun have not been able to agree on much beyond development of the UNIX product.

Standards, Operating systems (Software), Standard, Standardization, T, Operating systems, Market share, American Telephone and Telegraph Co., UNIX, Operating System, Computer Industry, Marketing Strategy, Open Systems, Kavner, Robert

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