Opening Sessions Highlight Corporate Strategic Framework and Apple's Internet Technology Directions
Across the globe, stakeholders of Apple Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) focused their attention on the Company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) proceedings today, where senior executives articulated the framework for Apple's corporate strategy and the Internet initiatives underlying that strategy. Thousands of developers gathered at the San Jose Convention Center, joined by satellite and Internet webcast audiences from around the world, as Apple Chairman and CEO Dr. Gilbert Amelio delivered the conference keynote address -- an assessment of the Company's strengths and his vision for the future.
Dr. Amelio described the framework of a corporate strategy that will position Apple in front of the industry's key "mega-trends": convergence of computers, communications and consumer electronics; explosive growth in Internet use, and the demand for media-rich digital content. He expressed Apple's intent to make the Internet central to the Company's strategy. To support this strategy profitably, Apple will realign its structure to build a more effective, efficient, accountable organization.
Internet Strategy
As a central component of the Company's business model, Apple's Internet strategy was detailed in a WWDC opening session by Larry Tesler, Apple's vice president of Internet platforms and chief scientist. The foundation of this strategy rests on three core concepts: access, creation and delivery. By leveraging its pioneering ease-of-use and multimedia competencies, the Company intends to help customers access, create and deliver information through innovative Internet/Intranet solutions that combine Apple hardware, software and third-party offerings.
Apple's approach will rely on open standards that eliminate platform incompatibilities, giving customers from across the Company's key markets the freedom to choose systems on the basis of the enabling technologies that make access, creation and delivery more productive and rewarding.
Avariety of robust Internet solutions are immediately available to Apple users. The Company and several dozen of its third-party vendors showcased some of these shipping products, along with technology demonstrations of products under development, during an Internet Product Fair for WWDC press attendees at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel today.
Product and Technology Announcements
Together with its third-party allies, Apple introduced a multitude of new and updated developer products, technologies and services at WWDC. The scope and quality of these announcements reflect the Company's progress in facilitating technology adoption through resources that add value to software applications and improve developer productivity: Attendees received the final developer version of Cyberdog, the acclaimed suite of OpenDoc-based Internet development tools. The software suite helps third party applications carry Macintosh computing conventions to the Internet, simplifying the user experience with a powerful, intuitive interface.
Apple on the InternetAs an extension of its Internet strategy, Apple announced its commitment to lead by example in providing rich, meaningful Internet content to current and prospective customers. Specifically, the Company plans to:
Apple's deepening commitment as an Internet content provider is exemplified in its approach to WWDC WebCast programming. Throughout the week, Apple's WebCast will include live audio and video of keynotes, chats with Apple executives and industry leaders, coverage of selected sessions, and "spy-cams" to capture candid action from the conference venue.
In addition, other Internet-based services have been established to meet the special information needs of the developer community. Apple's developer relations group introduced the Apple Developer Catalog (ADC) Online, an extension of the company's quarterly print catalog that features a complete range of tools and technical resources. By moving to an online format, ADC (previously known as APDA) is instantly accessible to developers around the world. ADC Online is located on the World Wide Web at: http://www.devcatalog.apple.com/.
Also, Apple Directions, the Company's award-winning monthly newsletter for developers, has been redesigned to position the publication's print version as a complementary facet of Apple's Internet- based news services. Apple Directions is currently available in three forms: as a monthly subscription-based print publication, in bi-weekly email digests, and on the World Wide Web at: http://dev.info.apple.com/appledirections/adtoc.html/. The redesigned newsletter will debut with distribution to WWDC attendees on May 15.
Conference Schedule
Apple's WWDC continues through Friday, May 17, with ongoing sessions by Apple executives, product teams and third-party sponsors; hands-on training; compatibility labs; a developer product and service exposition, and special events. The conference is Apple's premier technical forum, designed to help attendees make strategic development decisions by providing in-depth information about the direction of existing and emerging Apple technology. Information about the WWDC schedule, and access to Apple WebCast coverage of conference activities is located on the World Wide Web at: http://wwdc.apple.com/.